Hello,
Thank you to all of you for being part of our summer program. We made it through week 1 with only a couple of snags. Thanks for letting us know if something wasn’t quite right. That helps us do better AND fix any issues for you. Although we have many returning crew members this year, they are all getting used to the routine and working together and whatnot. We appreciate you being patient with the 100%, perfectly imperfect, all human crew.
While Farmer April is getting better every year at managing the vegetable production on the farm, she still has a steep learning curve. We still had some disappointments, like arugula being nothing but fodder for the giant “herd” of flea beetles that love all the brassica crops out here, and we might have to call the hakurei turnip crop a failure. That being said, we staved off the hungry deer so far and managed to get the swiss chard big enough to harvest. Thus far we haven’t seen any damage to the pea crop from them either (fingers crossed) and the beets are looking untouched too. The kale was big enough to harvest by week 1 and the first planting of lettuce was at its peak as well. Not to mention broccolini should continue to produce for a couple of weeks yet, and we have another planting not far behind. Each week we only get so much off the planting so we frequently have to limit how much we give out, but we should have it more consistently this year, so you get more chances to get it. Plus, Farmer April is getting better at guessing how much the planting will actually produce for the week (a challenging skill to develop). We always hope to keep the bounty abundant, but some weeks will be more bountiful than others.
Speaking of predicting how much is available and the ebb and flow of the bounty from week to week, if we run out of something on Monday, check back on Wednesday. Sometimes, I update inventory based on what actually comes in from the field. Broccolini is a good example. We appreciate you letting us know if something is going as expected or we make an oops. With any luck we will have another great season of delicious, local, sustainable food. Thanks again to everyone.
A Quick Summary and Few Things:
- IN SUMMARY: Spring fields aren’t half bad, a couple losses, but lots to celebrate. Let’s hope we continue to get more food for the humans and have less going to the critters. Farmer April keeps learning and growing as a vegetable producer.
- What does Farmer Tim do: He supports the vegetable crew, while managing the whole farm, including, but not limited to, organic corn and soy production, prairie plant management, and equipment maintenance and operation. He wears a lot of hats.
- Crop Highlight: BROCCOLINI. This is tiny broccoli (created by crossing it with Chinese broccoli varieties) that matures faster than traditional broccoli and usually produces multiple side shoots for ongoing harvest. It tends to be more tender and sweeter than traditional broccoli, and the leaves and most of the stalk is usually delicious. Folks like to steam and stir-fry it as well as eat it raw. Depending on the variety, you may see early stalks that are tall and thin, sometimes with a few flowers on them, or slightly bigger stalks with bigger heads on them. Regardless, so far, we love them all.
- Radish lime salad recipe: So good with Mexican food or to add crunch and flavor to something like beef or chicken. I grate mine on a Korean carrot grater instead of slicing it. I also like to add a little Tajin Spice to mine. You can also do this with kohlrabi.
- Broccolini on the grill recipe: Summer means grilling and broccolini is delicious on the grill AND so is green garlic.
- FARMMATCH AND CREDIT CARD CHARGES: I got a couple questions about credit cards. As a member with credits, when you place your order, FarmMatch will tell you it is going to charge your credit card, cause that is what it is programmed to do, as most farms are not issuing credits at the beginning of the season like we are. They are just selling outright to their customers. The program will apply your credits first, making your total due $0. So, your card will get charged $0 each week, up until you have used up all your credits. Let us know if you have questions about that.
LETS ORDER
Go to https://www.farmmatch.com/lotfotl
- HOW TO ORDER: (STORE OPENS AT NOON)
- Go to https://www.farmmatch.com/lotfotl
- Login
- IMPORTANT: Make sure that you have selected the correct location AND refreshed your browser page.
- Confirm that your credits have been issued to your account.
- Place your order following the order parameters:
~~Minimum total order of $40.
~~Maximum total order of $250.
~~Limit $200 on meat per week.
~~ Use all of your credits by the October 25th delivery.
- IMPORTANT: You must get a confirmation receipt email detailing your order. If you don’t, you did not complete your order correctly. Review the email, to make sure the information is correct, especially the LOCATION.
- Thank you for understanding that we are not able to process late orders.
- Order on weeks that work for you, skip the ones that don’t.
- Final order of the season: When you use the last of your credits for the season, your credit card on file will be charged for any amount due. You will then have access to a limited menu for the remainder of the season.
HACKS AND ORDERING TRICKS:
- If the product selection is not display in organized groups, you are likely in the “Previously Ordered” section. Scroll down to all products and it will be easier to navigate. You can always X out these items each week to keep this section manageable.
- If products have a locked sign on them, you likely need to change your pick-up location. Click on the lock to see where this item is available.
- If you cannot see products, contact the farm.
RECEIVING AND/OR PICKING UP YOUR ORDER:
- IN PERSON PICK-UP
- LOTFOTL – Watch your step as you enter the barn. This is a self serve pick-up. Remember to check the cooler for your frozen items. Items are in the cubbys off to the right as you enter the building.
- HOME DELIVERY
- Remember drivers are instructed NOT to leave food if there is not a container.
- Watch for a text after delivery has occurred.
- If you don’t have food by 6pm, call or text us right away.Time is of the essence.
We are always happy to help. Contact us with questions. 920-318-3800. Texting will get you the fastest response.
With Gratitude,
Your Farmers