Quenched Ground

Dear Members,

The fields were so dusty before this week that everyone's nostrils were rimmed with black at the end of the work day. The pastures had crisped and browned. At our last all-team meeting we were laying out contingency plans for sheep, given there would be no more good grass to give them. But, we have caught a lucky 1.5" of rain over the last seven days, and that will go a good way towards greening things up, and taking the dust down. I'm not sure how much more rain we need to get us from parched to verdant but for today, I'll take what we've gotten. In other news, a bald eagle has discovered our chickens. This is terrible for everyone except the eagle. I will update when I know the plan. 

We are harvesting some summer carrots for you this week. They are a different beast from the storage carrots, definitely better looking. The storage carrots still taste so good I can't say they are better but they are a nice change.

How did you like the new potatoes in the share last week? We may have more for you in the near future.

The tomato forecast is 'limited' this week. We are not quite in the thick of the season yet, but it is coming. Look for signage on U-pick cherry tomatoes, as we'll adjust according to field conditions. The flowers are all open for U-pick, but not especially abundant right now. Green beans are open for U pick. Check the map in the pavilion to find them. 

And the raspberries? That patch is where you can enjoy the tension between wanting and getting. The canes are loaded with immature fruit but not ripe for picking yet. You can gaze and look forward to them. Maybe pull a weed while you're at it. 

We seem to be gaining ground in the battle between the deer and the lettuce, and have a plan to put up a deer fence if need be. Please keep an eye on limits. 

This week we have a wild abundance of herbs, especially cilantro and basil and dill, so please take extra for your freezer if you wish. You probably get sick of me saying this: I think using copious herbs is what separates a meh home cook from one with a fine reputation. 

Crown Point delivery is expected as usual this Friday, with the usual selection of breads and pastry. I will be in the farm store with it on Friday if you want to come by and say hi. 

With gratitude, 
Kristin 

PS, If you are picking up over the weekend and notice we're out of or critically low on something, would you please send me a text at (518) 645-4658 so I can refresh it? Thank you! 

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Estimated Availability for Members This Week 

• Green = abundant, eat with abandon

• Yellow = Somewhat limited supply, enjoy but don’t go nuts

• Red = Limited supply, take just enough for one meal

Vegetables

• Green group, abundant, eat with abandon

  Beets - Red and Gold
  Collards
  Cabbage - Green
  Carrots
  Celeriac
  Celery
  Fennel
  Garlic
  Garlic Scapes
  Curly Kale
  Salanova Lettuce Mix
  Onions, Red
  Parsnips 
  Potatoes - Gold, Red, White
  Rainbow Chard
  Rutabaga
  Scallions
  Shallots
  Fresh Sweet Onions 
  
  Herbs:
  Basil
  Chives
  Cilantro
  Dandelion
  Dill
  Oregano
  Sage
  Thyme
  Mexican Marigold Mint
  
  

  Yellow group, somewhat limited supply

  Lacinato Kale
  Head Lettuce - Iceberg, Magenta, Green Butterhead
  Cucumbers 
  Eggplant
  Tomatoes 

  
  Red group, limited availability this week

  Lacinato Kale
  Curly Parsley
  Flat Parsley

• Value-Added Products:
  Kimchi
  Kraut
  Hot Sauce
  Frozen Tomatoes
  Lard

Eggs

• Unlimited and abundant 

Farmer Only Raw Dairy 

Our raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization.

Whole Milk
Yogurt
Buttermilk
Fresh Cream
Skim (likely available Friday, possibly Saturday midday)Grassfed and Pastured Meat

Yellow

Sour Cream
Butter

• Meat:
  Pork -chops, bacon 
  Lamb - merguez links, ground, shanks 
  Chicken - whole frozen
  Beef - ground, sandwich steak
  Bones - beef, lamb
  Offal - pork, chicken, beef

• Grains, Beans & Dry Goods: 
  Everything not grown by Essex Farm is certified organic.
  Note: we have more products than we have room for on the grain table so check the buckets under the table if you're looking for something.

  Cornmeal and Pancake Mix are back!
  Beans- Black and Pinto
  Chickpeas
  Steel Cut Oats 
  Rolled Oats
  Essex Farm Popcorn
  Sea Salt (Cargill)
  White Bread Flour (Sutton)
  White Pastry Flour 
  Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
  Whole Wheat Bread Flour 
  Buckwheat Flour
  Cornmeal
  Pancake Mixx

• Please be advised that consumption of raw or undercooked foods including meats, poultry, dairy, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

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This Week's Share is Brought to You By: Seth Allen, Anne Brown, Gracie Broughton, Beth Davis, Will DeHaven, Catherine Eskilstark, Nicholas Johnson, Kristin Kimball, Mark Kimball, Barbara Kunzi, Joanie McMahon, Harmony Sveshnikova, Will Glaser Wilson. Thanks to Ted, Ken, Ben, Jackie, Holly, Will, Sergei, Kathleen, Gwen, Charlie, David, Marion, and Barb for the help this week!