Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Happy Spring!
Great first week...yes? Everyone picked up their CSA shares! Will it ever happen again??? Please take note that everyone is guaranteed to completely forget to pick up at least once during the CSA season...new or old CSA member...it happens to everyone.
VERY EXCITING NEWS!!!
Two things...
1. News 12 will be filming at our CSA this week starting at 3:30pm - if you can be at the CSA between 3:30 and 4:30pm, please show up so it looks crowded and they have some CSA members to talk to!
2. Dines Farm will be grilling samples this week...YUM!
Included in this email...
1. Your CSA doesn't need you this week! But you know that won't be for long :) !!!
2. This week's list (subject to change...farming is like that)
3. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff (new stuff added weekly...really!)
4. How to cook those dried Black Turtle Beans (keep this around as you might be getting these in the fall along with some garlic...fall being garlic season).
5. What you actually got last week
6. Newsday "Sunchoke"...really Jerusalem Artichoke...Recipe
7. Do you garden? Want organic seedings from your CSA farm???
8. Newsday's Erica Marcus on Cleaning & Tossing Salad Greens...
1. Your CSA doesn't need you this week! But you know that won't be for long :) !!
You can always just show up a little before 3:30 or 5:30pm at the CSA and offer to work if there's still an empty slot on the CSA Work Sign-up Sheet. ALWAYS FILL THE CSA WORK SHEET OUT IN PENCIL!!! Life is too unpredictable for being written in pen!
2. This week's list (subject to change without notice...farming is like that)
Week #2
April 30, 2009
1. Leeks - 1 bunch
2. Burdock (Gobo in Japanese) - 1 bag
3. Kale: White - 1 bunch
4. Turnip Greens - 1 bag
5. Cilantro - 1 bunch
6. Oregano - 1 bunch
Total Items: 6
3. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff
Wednesday, April 29th
6pm to 8pm
Jen Chapin House Party to Benefit the Brooklyn Food Conference
Brooklyn, NY
For information and reservations, please e-mail jen@jenchapin.com or call 347.432.0283
$20 suggested donation
Come hear Jen Chapin (yup, daughter of Harry), Stephan Crump, and Jamie Fox and help support the Brooklyn Food Conference (see May 2nd).
Thursday, April 30th
Benefit dinner at Rosewater for the Brooklyn Food Conference (see May 2nd)
Brooklyn, NY
For tickets call 718.783.3800.
$90

Rosewater (one of Brooklyn's premiere local/organic restaurants) will host a benefit dinner with Katy Sparks. Tickets are all inclusive of food, wine, tax, gratuity and donation.
Friday, May 1st
9am to 5pm
HALSEY'S GREEN THUMB FARM FARMSTAND OPENS FOR THE SEASON (every day till the first weekend in December when they close down for the winter)!!! Visit and mention you're a CSA member. If you're talking to Peachy (Halsey matriarch) or Patti (Halsey daughter) or Johanna (Halsey daughter) or Debbie (might as well be a Halsey she's worked at the farmstand so long)...a smile will shortly be visible.
7pm
Screening of "Fresh" with a Q & A with the director Ana Joanes
Park Slope Food Co-Op
782 Union St (between 6th & 7th Ave), 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY
FREE
FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system and forging healthier, sustainable alternatives for the future of the planet. Featuring Milwaukee urban farmer and activist, Will Allen who won a 2008 MacArthur Genius Award, and sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma.
Saturday, May 2nd
9am to 9pm
Brooklyn Food Conference
John Jay High School
327 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY
To register...
FREE
I'll be there...will you :) ? Come for a day of workshops, food demos, and a kids’ food fair. Speaker's include WNYC’s Leonard Lopate, with Chef Dan Barber (Stone Barns), Chef Peter Hoffman (Savoy), Chef Bill Telepan (Telepan), and Brooklyn’s own David Shea of Applewood and John Tucker of Rosewater, LaDonna Redmond on what people in Chicago have done to change their food system, learn about worldwide food rebellions from author Raj Patel, and find out how climate change can affect the world’s food supply from activist Anna LappĂ©, and discuss milk health risks and benefits with author Nina Planck–plus workshops with many other dedicated activists and professionals. Screen films about food issues, including Fresh, Life and Debt, Unnatural Selection, and Flow. Join your children at a kids’ food fair with cooking demonstrations and other fun activities. Workshops by and for teens plus Teen Iron Chef! Enjoy lunch and dinner created by Brooklyn chefs using sustainable foods. Lunch and dinner will be available for purchase. Dance following dinner ($20 on PayPal).
Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9th
NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) Summer Conference
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
If you're interested in organic gardening, food, farming, holistic health, alternative energy, cleaning up the environment, food politics, good eating, partying, dancing, music, crafts, poetry, yoga, join between 1,500 and 2,000 like minded people in a weekend of fun and education with something for just about everyone from tots and teens to everyone else. There are many Long Islanders who go every year. If you try it once, I bet you'll try it again!
Saturday, Nov 21st
11am to 6pm
Green Living Expo
Suffolk County Community College
Brentwood Campus
Sports/Exhibition Complex
101 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY 11717
For more info:
$10.00 (under 12 years old free)
The Green Living Expo is a 2-day event designed to provide Long Island residents and business owners with the information they need to support a greener way of life here on Long Island. “Green Living” is a new concept for many Long Islanders, for others it has been a way of life for years. Regardless of which category you fall into, being “green” is a notion that has firmly taken root in our society.

The Green Living Expo will be the catalyst between businesses, organizations, and consumers looking for information, inspiration, and innovation. It will provide information to help move us in the direction of a lifestyle that is both economically viable and ecologically sound.

The Green Living Expo will have two full days of programming to make the event both educational and fun. Speakers have been selected for their passion, commitment, innovation, and authority on their “green” topic. There is no additional fee required to attend the programs/lectures/classes.

Sunday, Nov 22nd
11am to 5pm
Green Living Expo
(see Saturday, Nov 21st)
4. How to cook those dried Black Turtle Beans (keep this around as you might be getting these in the fall along with some Garlic...fall being Garlic season)
See attachment...it's the sheet that was on the Black Turtle Bean pile at the CSA. It's something I cobbled together after researching a bunch of sources on the web.
5. What you actually got last week
Week #1
April 23, 2009
1. Chives - 1 bunch - $2.00
2. Jerusalem Artichokes - 1 lb - $4.00
3. Collard Greens - 1 bunch - $3.00
4. Beans, Black Turtle (dried) - 1 lb - $4.00
5. Turnip Greens - 1 bunch - $3.75
Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $16.75 (+$.25 over what we paid per week...$16.50...not much but over 34 weeks, this all adds up)
6. Newsday "Sunchoke"...really Jerusalem Artichoke...Recipe
7. Do you garden? Want organic seedings from your CSA farm???
You can order certified organic seedlings for your garden from our CSA farm, Halsey's Green Thumb Farm, that will be delivered to you when you pick up your CSA share! AND, the prices are the same as last year! If you want something not on the list, call and ask...there's a decent chance they have, or will have, it. Fliers about this are on the CSA Sign-In Table.
How?
Call the farm (631-726-1900) from 9:30am to 4:30pm, order using a credit card (minimum order of $20) and coordinate when you'll be picking up your seedlings with your CSA pickup.
What?
All the pots are 4 1/2" and the cost of each pot is $5.00
Basil, Green
Marigold: Orange (8" to 10")
Mint, Cat
Oregano, Greek
Parsley, Italian Flat Leaf
Petunias: Blue OR Mixed OR Rose
Rosemary
Sorrel
Strawberries, Alpine (very small)
Swiss Chard: Gold OR Green OR Red
Tarragon, French
More varieties coming soon!
8. Newsday's Erica Marcus on Cleaning & Tossing Salad Greens...
###

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Happy Spring,
This list includes...

1. Your CSA needs you! We could use ONE (1) person from 5:30 to 7:30pm this week
2. This week's list (subject to change...farming is like that)
3. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff (new stuff added weekly...really!)
4. Things new CSA members need to know (and past members may want reminders about)



1. Your CSA needs you! We could use ONE (1) person from 5:30 to 7:30pm this week

You can always just show up a little before 3:30 or 5:30pm at the CSA and offer to work if there's still an empty slot on the CSA Work Sign-up Sheet. ALWAYS FILL THE CSA WORK SHEET OUT IN PENCIL!!! Life is too unpredictable for being written in pen!



2. This week's list (subject to change without notice...farming is like that)

Week #1
April 23, 2009

1. Chives - 1 bunch
2. Jerusalem Artichokes - 1 bag
3. Collard Greens - 1 bunch
4. Beans, Black Turtle (dried) - 1 bag
5. Turnip Greens - 1 bunch

Total Items: 5



3. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff

Saturday, April 25th

11am to 6pm


Green Living Expo
Suffolk County Community College
Brentwood Campus Sports/Exhibition Complex
101 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY 11717 For more info:
http://www.greenlivingexpoli.com/
http://www.greenlivingexpoli.com/schedule.html
$10.00 (under 12 years old free)


The Green Living Expo is a 2-day event designed to provide Long Island residents and business owners with the information they need to support a greener way of life here on Long Island. “Green Living” is a new concept for many Long Islanders, for others it has been a way of life for years. Regardless of which category you fall into, being “green” is a notion that has firmly taken root in our society.
The Green Living Expo will be the catalyst between businesses, organizations, and consumers looking for information, inspiration, and innovation. It will provide information to help move us in the direction of a lifestyle that is both economically viable and ecologically sound.
The Green Living Expo will have two full days of programming to make the event both educational and fun. Speakers have been selected for their passion, commitment, innovation, and authority on their “green” topic. There is no additional fee required to attend the programs/lectures/classes.

Sunday, April 26th

11am to 5pm

Green Living Expo
(see Saturday, April 25th)



Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9th

NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) Summer Conference
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
http://www.nofasummerconference.org/

If you're interested in organic gardening, food, farming, holistic health, alternative energy, cleaning up the environment, food politics, good eating, partying, dancing, music, crafts, poetry, yoga, join between 1,500 and 2,000 like minded people in a weekend of fun and education with something for just about everyone from tots and teens to everyone else. There are many Long Islanders who go every year. If you try it once, I bet you'll try it again!



4. Things new CSA members need to know (and past members may want reminders about)

A. What time is the CSA again?

Pickup time starts and 3:30pm & ends at 7:30pm

B. Where am I going?

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington (UUFH)
109 Browns Rd
Huntington
between Coindre Hall & the Southdown Elementary School
use www.mapquest.com if you need further directions (or some other site like that)

Know how to get here & avoid Rt 110/NY Ave as much as possible! Also, find alternate ways to get to the CSA in case of roadwork, etc. You can be on either side of Browns Road to get to the CSA.

C. We bag our own

BRING BAGS TO PACK YOUR FOOD...paper/plastic/canvas/string/whatever

My advice?
1. Bring some plastic bags because some things you get WILL be wet and you'll want to keep them away from the food that should stay dry.
2. Put bags in the glove compartment or trunk of EVERY vehicle you own or could end up driving or riding in and refill when the stock is low. That way, you'll never be without.
3. If you do these things, you'll be glad you did

D. What if I can't make it at all or have trouble getting there on time?

Running late?
If you call the hall phone (631-385-1079*) of the UUFH and make arrangements on Thursday between 3:30 & 7:30pm, we can pre-pack a bag for you and either wait for you to show up (if it won't be too long) or arrange to put the bag on the bench of a member who lives in the neighborhood

*This number is to be used ONLY on Thursdays between 3:30 and 7:30pm and ONLY in case of emergencies and/or last resort. Cell phone reception at the UUFH is not very good so this may be the only way to contact someone during the CSA.

Can't make it at all?

Look over the Sign-In List and see if there's someone you know. You may be surprised. If so, get that person's contact info and have at least TWO CSA members that you can contact and have them pick up and/or store your food till you can get it from them. If you don't know anyone, look for someone who lives near you (this will be easier in the coming weeks...trust me on this one) and ask for their contact info.

E. KEEP THIS NUMBER WITH YOU ALWAYS...631-385-1079

It's the hall phone in the building where the CSA is. Cell phone reception is poor to nill unless you're outside in a magical spot that may change from day to day! So, this number is vital for letting folks at the CSA know if you need a late pickup, if you can't work your CSA work shift, etc. USE SPARINGLY and only on Thursdays from 3 to 7:30pm! It is for the use of the members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington (UUFH). It is not ours to freely use, even to receive calls.


F. What do I do when I get there?

1. When you walk into the building, walk straight ahead and you'll walk right into where the CSA is (the Social Hall)

2. Tell the person sitting at the Sign-In desk what your last name is, or what the last name is of the CSA member that you're sharing with, or who you're picking up for. IF you're picking up for more than yourself, tell the person at the desk who you're picking up for so they can note that as well (this info comes in more handy than you could imagine)

3. READ THE WALL CHART MENU (see the Wall Chart attached to this email) CAREFULLY...we do NOT automatically take one of everything on the tables!!! At least not most of the time though early in the year that may be the case...assume nothing!

4. Proceed from where the Wall Chart is around the tables and take your CSA food according to what the Wall Chart says. If you don't know what something is, there should be something on each pile of food that will tell you what it is and what to do with it. If you start at the Wall Chart end, our farmer tries to set things out so the heavier items are there and you end up with the lighter things on top of your bag so they don't get squished.

5. If you have any questions or are not sure about something...please ask! There's bound to be someone at the CSA who can answer most any question (at least about food, anyway).

###

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

CSA 2009 Get on it and JOIN today!

Welcome to the 2009 season!!

Our Green Thumb CSA - Huntington contract for 2009 is located on the CSA Yahoo Group site. Click the link on the right to join this awesome site for the Huntington CSA of 2009!

NOT included in the contract is the Honey Order (which will come later in the season), and we may have a Green Basil share for pesto makers AND possibly a Mushroom Share as there's an eastender who's growing his own Shiitake, and other, Mushrooms...and more important, he sells the Mushrooms at Green Thumb Farm so it doesn't involve any additional travel for Farmer Bill to get them to us. If you're interested in a Mushroom Share, attend the May CSA meeting.

Also on the Yahoo Group site is our CSA brochure so if you know anyone else who might be interested in joining, please pass it on. We need at least 30 members signed up for our Farmer Bill to show up on April 23rd.

If you need someone to share the CSA share with and don't have anyone in mind, please let me know as there are often people looking and I've been a successful CSA "matchmaker" over the years.

The CSA will be holding monthly meetings for potential and current CSA members starting in May.

Anyone looking to trade work for a share (or do you know anyone who'd be interested)? We're looking for someone to commit to opening up the CSA from 2:30pm to 3:30pm from April 23rd to December 10th for the entire season, in exchange for a CSA share. We already have someone who's agreed to close up. If you, or someone you know is interested, please contact me so we can discuss the particulars.

In this time of economic uncertainty, I feel it's more important than ever to support the people/businesses we would like to see be there when the economy starts to stabilize and improve. Also, on a more environmental level, I've recently learned that about 70% of our produce comes from central California and the drought they've been having has been effecting not only the price of produce but the availability. I don't know about you but I'd gone to Fairway over the winter and there were many days when there were NO cooking greens in the organic produce section. I'd never seen this before but I do believe it's the shape of things to come. These are just two of the many reasons I've been thinking about lately as to why it's important to be a member of Green Thumb CSA - Huntington, and if you're an omnivore, to support Dines Farm. Plus, it tastes really good.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, etc.

Hope to see you soon!
suzanne
631-421-4864