Green Thumb Farm Huntington CSA

Happy Spring!

You might want to get to the Cinema Arts Centre tonight! Sorry for the last minute notice but better late than not at all!

CSA member, B Hanson (mom of Polly Hanson Greenberg who’s name is on the CSA sign-in sheet), is the subject of the film being shown tonight, Wednesday, May 18th, 7pm. It’s also a benefit for a scholarship to the East Woods School. The name of the movie is…If I Could Write a Book: The Beverly Fite Story. B (Beverly Fite was her stage name on Broadway) is one of my holistic health heros. I don’t know if, and how much, it will be discussed in the movie but B was diagnosed with Lymphoma and given 6 months to live. Instead of preparing to die, as the doctors suggested, she was determined to see if she could live instead. B, and daughter Polly, went to the Gerson Institute in Mexico (after having major growths removed thru surgery) and went thru their vigorous holistic healing regimen which she continued after returning home to Huntington. After six months, she not only wasn’t dead but after her CAT scan, was told there was no sign of Lymphoma. It’s now been about 14 years and B is still alive and kicking. She’s quite a gal! If it’s not brought up in the movie and doesn’t get talked about in the Q & A afterwards…I know she’d be glad to talk about it at the reception (or at the CSA if you see her). The film was directed by Ron Rudaitis, Huntington resident and director of the terrific documentary (that our Farmer Bill and me are in) Farming the Future: Farm Life on Long Island, and he’ll be there as well.
For more info:
http://www.cinemaartscentre.org/011/011Mayo/LongIslandStories.html#BHanson
To pre-purchase tickets (and check out B’s photo as a Broadway ingénue):
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/173036

BRING BAGS TO PACK YOUR CSA SHARE…now and forever! Put bags (paper/plastic/canvas) in every car you own so you’ll never be without. In your trunk, glove compartment, back seat…whatever works for you. You’ll be needing them every week for the next 32 weeks and the CSA is not set up to provide them. If you are sending someone else to pick up your CSA share (spouse, relative, friend, offspring), this is the most important thing to tell them.

We have 49 intrepid CSAers for the third week of the CSA season and we have room for 15 more members for the Spring Session…and then starting June 2nd, room for 100 CSA members for the rest of the year. If each CSA member were to find 3 more members…we could fill the CSA. Attached is the CSA “kit” consisting of the contract for new members, brochure and fee sheet. Let’s do this thing! The sooner I don’t have to beat the bushes for members, the more time I have for things like managing the CSA better, finding cool new things to add to the CSA mix (Mushrooms, Tempeh, a Winter CSA Share?) and doing the extra work it would entail.

I’d be happy to place brochures, do a lecture, call, email…do whatever’s needed to spread the good word about CSA. If you have suggestions, please make them known. So far this year we’re going to put an ad in the program for an auction at a local Montessori School. Next, will be an ad placed in the UUFH bulletin called The Beacon (never done before…silly CSA). Both should be reasonably priced. $40 for the Montessori ad and not sure about the UUFH one yet but I don’t imagine it will be very expensive (that one we may want to run a few times).

Any ideas for recruiting new members will be considered… how about jumping out of a van, putting a bag over some random person’s head, taking them to a warehouse in a discreet industrial area, feeding them amazing salads, juiced veggies, soups, vegetable delights made with CSA produce, and Dines Farm grilled marinated chicken thighs, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs (if they’re not vegetarians), and let the food do the talking? Just a thought  .

This email includes…

1. HELP!!! Your CSA DOES need you this week! Looking for ONE (1) person for the Late Shift from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
2. The unofficial farm report
3. The list…subject to change without notice…farming is like that!
4. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff to Do (new events added weekly)
5. What you actually got last week…
6. Kale Chips according to Dan Barber (and he should know!)…
7. Another reason to eat local and/or organic!
8. Cute guide to indentifying real food while shopping…
9. Want to save a farm in Commack?
10. Organic Seedlings Available from Green Thumb Farm!



1. HELP!!! Your CSA DOES need you this week! Looking for ONE (1) person for the Late Shift from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

IF you can work, please 1) respond to this email, 2) call 631-421-4864 and leave a message before 1pm, 3) call the UUFH Hall Phone at 631-385-1079 after 3pm and let us know you’re coming OR 4) show up a little before 5:30pm and offer to help out.

You can always show up a little before 3:30 or 5:30pm at the CSA and offer to work if help is still needed…you never know! Everyone that’s scheduled doesn’t always show up on time…or at all.



2. The unofficial farm report

After 14 years of doing the CSA, I can pretty much tell you what’s going on at the farm without talking to the farmer…just by seeing what we get each week (though I do confirm my observations by asking).

What I can say it this point is…it’s too darn wet!!! The Spring (starting in March) gave the farm too much rain. The thing with water and farming is you’re better off with a drought than excessive rainfall. You can always irrigate but once it’s in the ground, you can’t suck it out or mop it up!

Water Mill (where the farm is located) is, on average, two weeks behind Huntington as far as its growing season. So, if you have a garden and your Lettuce is ready, and you wonder why you haven’t seen it at the CSA yet you have to wait another 2 weeks minimum before it would be ready at Green Thumb Farm. Also, because of the excessive Spring rainfall, everything is a week behind the normal two weeks making things 3 weeks behind Huntington’s growing season.

My latest guess is that with all the rain we’ve been having lately, the folks at the farm can’t even get out into the fields to do planting with the seedlings in the greenhouse because the ground is too wet 1) for the tractors to get in the fields (otherwise they’ll compact the ground with it being so muddy…not a good thing…even if they didn’t get stuck in the mud…no fun there either) and 2) even when you’re doing hand planting, if the ground is too muddy, it’s not good for the seedlings to start to grow in mud (they need aerated moist soil, not wet goo).

So, what does that mean for us? We’re getting produce that has overwintered (Kale, Scallions, Leeks…a common farming practice and it’s what every locavore chef waits for all winter) and from the greenhouse (Mustards, Tat Soi…also a common practice to extend the growing season…read The Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman) and it needs to dry out a bit before more can either be planted out in the fields or start popping out of the ground.

In the meanwhile, it’s time to enjoy what we’re getting because soon enough everything you’re getting now will be either be gone till next year (Asparagus) or won’t show up again till the fall (Jerusalem Artichokes).



3. The list…subject to change without notice…farming is like that!

Vegetable Info Sheets attached to TOMORROW’s email (keep in a notebook – by the end of the year you’ll have a cookbook!)…I didn’t want too many attachments to this email but have no fear…you’ll get them tomorrow

Week #4
May 19, 2011

1. Asparagus
2. Kale: Russian, Red
3. Tat Soi (greenhouse*)
4. Scallions
5. Greens: Mustard, Green (greenhouse*)
6. Greens: Mustard, Red (greenhouse*)

Total Items: 6

*Refers to being grown in their greenhouse as opposed to when we get it (whatever it is) after it’s been planted out in the field…go to the farm tours in June and October to see what I’m talking about

Herb Share – Week #1A



4. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff to Do (new events added weekly)

Wednesday, May 18th

5pm to 6pm

iEat Green with Bhavani
The Progressive Radio Network
FREE
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/bhavani-jaroff/

To listen to archived shows…
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/eating-green/

The guest will be Jared Koch, Founder of Clean Plates, a restaurant guide that features every dietary preference from delectable vegan dishes to juicy grass-fed burgers. Jared graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition with certification by Columbia University, Teachers College in 2005 and graduated from the Global Institute for Alternative Medicine in 2004. He is a health coach, nutritional consultant, and certified yoga instructor with expertise in meditation, and he speaks frequently on the topic of nutrition. Jared believes in offering individuals and groups that are committed to living a more conscious, healthier lifestyle the education, inspiration, resources, and support to be able to do so

7pm

I Could Write a Book: The Beverly Fite Story
Cinema Arts Center
423 Park Ave
Huntington
$9 Members/$13 General Public (includes a reception)
To purchase tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/173036
For more info:
http://www.cinemaartscentre.org/011/011Mayo/LongIslandStories.html#BHanson

From pre-Civil Rights Alabama to Rodgers and Hammerstein-era Broadway to present-day suburban Long Island, this whimsical and heartwarming documentary tells the story of the life, career and indomitable spirit of a truly inspiring American voice. Beverly Fite (known to Huntington residents as B Hanson) began her Broadway career as a dancer in the original Broadway production of Oklahoma! and performed the role of Linda English in the original 1950 Columbia album Pal Joey, singing the Rodgers and Hart classic "I Could Write A Book." B’s father was a country lawyer from a small town in Alabama and her mother was a member of Birmingham society. Hard times came early in her life when her father was disbarred. Join B on an emotional and revelatory journey back to Alabama in search of the real story of her father's disbarment and ultimately the meaning of her own life's journey. Directed by Emmy Award-winning Long Island filmmaker Ron Rudaitis, who comments "B's life is such a rich tapestry. It's a story that touches on Civil Rights and social justice, as well as women's rights and it's one that will leave audiences moved and ultimately cheering for B, who is truly a remarkable person and an exceptional artist. The beauty of her voice is eclipsed perhaps only by the beauty of her spirit."


Friday, May 20th

6 to 7pm

The Healthy Planet Radio Show
WUSB-FM / 90.1FM
For more info and to listen live or archived:
http://www.thehealthyplanet.org/


Tuesday, May 24th

7 to 9pm

Celebrate Spring with JUST FOOD
Whole Foods Market – Bowery
Culinary Center
95 E Houston St
New York City
$25 (Demonstration & Tasting)
To register…
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=218692

In this benefit class for Just Food! join Peter Berley, cookbook author (The Flexitarian Table, Houghton Mifflin) and former executive chef of the legendary Angelica’s Kitchen, as he shows you how to prepare seasonal and healthy dishes while highlighting some of the season’s tastiest offerings, such as early greens and herbs, radishes, and strawberries.
All proceeds from tonight’s class will benefit Just Food.
On the Menu: Potage of Spring Greens with Green Garlic and Mint; Dandelion and Goat Cheese Frittata; Butter-Glazed Radishes with Radish Greens; Warm Honey-Lemon Curd with Strawberries.
Instructor: Peter Berley, Chef, Cookbook Author, and Culinary Instructor
www.peterberley.com
www.justfood.org


Thursday, June 2nd

7pm

Holistic Moms Network Open House and Chapter Kick Off!
Western Suffolk NY Chapter
Elwood Public Library
1929 Jericho Tpke
E Northport
FREE
For more info and to get involved:
www.holisticmoms.org
Email: wsuffolkhmn@aol.com

Our CSA member Vickie Muller has helped organized this new group! Cool!!! It’s all about “Living Healthy, Living Green”


Sunday, June 5th

11am to 5pm

Bay Day
Beekman Beach
Oyster Bay
FREE

Slow Food Huntington will be tabling at this event. Come by and say hello! Bay Day is an annual festival, hosted by The WaterFront Center, to promote environmental awareness and stewardship. It's a free community event that strengthens the connection to Oyster Bay and the marine environment by providing exciting, water related activities. Live music will be on stage throughout the day for your enjoyment and food and refreshments will be served for your convenience. The WaterFront Center specifically will provide activities including: Anything That Floats Race (ATFR), Harbor Tours aboard the Christeen , free sails aboard our Sonars, free use of our kayaks, and touch tanks of local marine life. Other local not for profits and businesses that align with our vision have been invited to share with the public what they are working on, their goals, values and mission. Those groups will have various activities and information available and be on site to answer your questions.


Saturday, June 18th

Times: TBA

Annual CSA Member Strawberry Picking Walking Tour
Halsey’s Green Thumb Organic Farm
Rt 25
Water Mill, NY
FREE

MEET your farmer! SEE where your food is being grown! EAT the Strawberries! This is one of two opportunities we have to tour the farm and spend time with the people that make it happen…Farmer Bill Halsey, his family and co-workers. This event is for CSA members and immediate family only! If you are sharing a CSA share with another person or family…you have to choose who’s going and register under the name of the CSA member. There are too many CSA members between Long Island and NYC to accommodate more people.


August 12th to 14th

NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmers Association) 37th Annual Summer Conference
For more info:
http://www.nofasummerconference.org/

I’m going this year…and you? It’s fun, educational, reasonably priced, and anyone who goes WILL have a great time. Whether you’re single, family, senior…whatever…a good time will be had!


Monday, October 24th

Food Day
For more info:
http://www.foodday.org/



5. What you actually got last week…

Week #3
May 12, 2011

1. Mizuna (greenhouse*) – 1 bunch
2. Tat Soi (greenhouse*) – 1 bunch
3. Greens: Mustard, Red (greenhouse*) – 1 bunch - $8.25 for all 3 bunches (not sure why Farmer Bill did it this way…but he did)
4. Kale Rabe** - 1 bunch - $2.75
5. Scallions – 1 bunch - $2.50
6. Kale: Curly – 1 bunch - $3.00
7. Chives – 1 bunch - $2.25

Total Items: 7
Total Amount:$18.75 (our farmer had given us $1.75 more on produce than we’ve paid so far this year…it adds up!)

*Refers to being grown in their greenhouse as opposed to when we get it (whatever it is) after it’s been planted out in the field…go to the farm tours in June and October to see what I’m talking about
**Kale Rabe article…
I learn something new every day whether I want to or not! I thought it was a natural hybrid! Cool…
http://nymag.com/restaurants/recipes/inseason/kale-rabe-in-season-2011-5/



6. Kale Chips according to Dan Barber (and he should know!)…

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Tuscan-Kale-Chips-351240



7. Another reason to eat local and/or organic!

The exploding Watermelons were amusing but you’ve got to read the rest of this (cadmium in Rice???)…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/17/exploding-watermelons-chinese-farming



8. Cute guide to indentifying real food while shopping…
http://www.foodpolitics.com/2011/01/darya-pinos-guide-to-supermarket-navigation/



9. Want to save a farm in Commack?

CSA members, the Ettingers, are spearheading Friends of the Marion Carll Community Farm.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the farm or joining the effort to preserve it (the developers are at the door):
info@commackcommunityassociation.org

The fliers for this are on the CSA sign-in table.



10. Organic Seedlings Available from Green Thumb Farm!

Order certified organic seedlings grown at Green Thumb Farm and have them delivered to the CSA for your garden!

How:
Have your credit card ready (to be paid only by credit card) and call the farm at 631-726-1900 between 9:30 to 4pm any day of the week and they will tell you, depending on when you place your order, what week they will arrive at the CSA…and make sure you don’t forget to pick them up!

How much:
$5.50 per pot (4” pot) with a 4 pot minimum order

What:
(if you don’t see what you’re looking for on this list, or want more details…call the farm and ask)

Flowers
Marigolds, Bonanza
Marigolds, Genie (edible)
Nasturtiums
Petunias

Herbs
Basil
Chives
Oregano
Parsley
Sage
Tarragon, French
Thyme

Tomatoes
Heirlooms
Minis
Red

Vegetables
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kale
Swiss Chard

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