It’s CSA Week Four! Hard to imagine that it’s July already, and barely a sweltering day yet. I don’t know if it’s the weather, but we’ve had some unusual wild creature sightings around the farm in the last couple days. Today, a pair of baby skunks the size of kittens came traipsing across the lawn, oblivious to those of us picking broccoli and chard just ten feet away. Even after Maple discovered them they simply meandered back into the bushes, clearly not quite in control of (or ready to deploy) their skunky superpowers yet. Then, a porcupine was found up in a tree next to the house, creepily peering over the side of the apprentice shower. Finally, we heard from neighbors about moose sightings. We’ve seen moose a couple of times over the years, and it’s always more exciting than nerve-wracking — deer are the ones that do the real damage to the crops. That is, until last Saturday, when Bill and I were pitching hay to mulch the crops in the hill field. When Bill shouted “Moose!” I turned around, excitedly expecting to see the big animal standing regally in the field. Instead, I saw a row of defoliated and crushed eggplant plants, a few dozen lettuce heads with a bite taken out of each one, and huge moose prints wending through the cucumbers. What kind of creature wants to eat an eggplant plant?! The moose apparently also bumbled through the cow fencing, leaving the beautiful baby carrots exposed to the cows who were able to saunter right over and trample the remaining greens. The electric fence was probably just a mild annoyance to the moose, like stumbling through a slightly fizzy cobweb at ankle height. We really hope that he or she has moved on since the night on the farm. In the meantime we’ll replant, hope that our new neighbor comes across more appealing snacks elsewhere, and keep our fingers crossed.
Thursday members — the pickup will run from 5-6pm on the 4th of July like always. We know that many of you may not be able to make it here — we’ll pack up your share and it’ll be in the walk-in for whenever you come over. Tuesday members — it looks like it’ll be a sunny day, with thunderstorms. So does this mean that I should set up in front or in back?! A quandary, and one that I’ll probably decide on at the last minute. Please check behind the church if you don’t see me out front! If you leave a cooler in front, no worries, we’ll look for it there like always.
Next week (Week 5) will be the first delivery of the pork CSA, so let me know this week if you want to add it to your shares. It’s a three-delivery share and costs $267. The following week (Week 6) will be the first of two honey deliveries. If you would like to add honey, please let me know asap as well. The raw honey share costs $23.
If you haven’t made a payment in a month, please click on the below link and do so, or let me know your plans. Thank you! Happy Fourth of July, be in touch with any questions, and see you soon!
Reba and the HCF crew
CSA Week Four: Dill or Cilantro or Parsley, Lettuce Mix, Spinach, Kale or Chard, Beets with Greens, Sugar Snap Peas or Zucchini, Broccoli, Broccolini
Week Four Add-ons: Milk, Bread, Cheese, Mushrooms, Oil & Vinegar
This week’s recipes: Quinoa Wilted Spinach Salad, Seared Fish with Beet Salsa, Broccoli Parmesan Fritters
HATCHET COVE FARM 