Hello,
Week 3. How are things going so far? We hope you are eating well and have had a chance to enjoy the early season crops. They are always so tender and yummy and you just can’t beat asparagus. If only we could have it year-round. But, just as the asparagus is wrapping up, the summer squash and peas are nearly ready to harvest. These are the cycles that I appreciate as a farmer and do my best to predict on our crop plans. Even with that, sometimes what we hope for doesn’t happen. That’s nature. It gets hot and we have no rain and plants slow production or bolt. It is unseasonably cool and wet and the greens do well but something else gets moldy or diseased. Welcome to farming and seasonal eating.
As a farmer, I do my best to be a great observer. The more present I am in the field, the faster I can potentially react to the needs of crops. If I get to weeds when they are tiny, it is less work for us, and, with luck, a higher yield for the crop. If I notice pest damage, I can potentially react or change my growing method to hopefully stave off pests. In spring, we have learned that insect netting is well worth the investment, both financially and in extra labor. Deer repellent applied at the right time can be the difference between keeping a crop and losing the entire thing in one night. Ya know, those guys watch the lettuce until it is about 1 or 2 days away from being ready to harvest and then go in and eat the core out of almost every head. I can also make sure a crop has plenty of fertility and water so it isn’t stressed or weak and often it can fight off disease or pests on its own. The longer I farm, the better I am at predicting what a plant needs for success. Sometimes we win, sometimes….well we lose the crop. If we are lucky we at least end up with one for the farmer, one for the bugs, and one for deer….or woodchuck (my nemesis).
Happy eating this week. As always let us know if we can help in any way.
A Few Things:
- IN SUMMARY: Enjoy the early crops. We try to be more and more present in the fields so we can diligently observe, learn, and react in ways that give us successful crops.
- Crop Highlight: GREEN GARLIC: We have the last of our green garlic available this week. If you haven’t tried this on the grill, you are missing out. It can also be chopped and sauteed just like you would garlic cloves for your recipes. Let’s not forget that the leaves are edible too. We plant last year’s garlic in early spring, and then harvest it in its first stages of growth before it has become a new head of garlic. In this young tender stage it is delicious.
- Basil Oil/sauce recipe: With the basil starting to produce well, I make this recipe frequently. It can be drizzled on everything from a salad to fish and it packs a delightful flavor punch. At the same time it is quick and easy AND… you can substitute things like green garlic or garlic scapes in place of cloves of garlic.
- LETTUCE: Adrianna Butterhead. This week’s green lettuce will be a butterhead/ bibb variety that is delicious. Get these while you can, cause they only thrive in cooler conditions and won’t be around in the heart of summer.
- From our friends: Cabbage. This comes in from our organic Amish friends through Turtle Creek Gardens. If you are like me and itching for something bigger and more substantial, these cabbage should hit the spot. A seasonal slaw with grated radish and chopped green garlic added to it is super refreshing.
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. Always 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.
- 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.
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