Thursday, December 15, 2011

Happy Autumn!

Today is the last CSA pickup of the 2011 season.

That said, this will not be the last email as there are still loose ends to be tied up (paperwork and financial) and next year to think about (April…when the CSA starts up again…is not so far away). Contracts for next year will be emailed to current CSA members by early February and then in early March, contracts will be emailed to new interested folks.

Where are all the seeds from the Farsi Winter Squashes??? PLEASE save and return them (see below). Farmer Bill got the seeds when he was in Nepal so if you don’t return them, he can’t buy more and he’s not going back to Nepal any time soon…if ever.

PLEASE!!! I BEG OF YOU…DO NOT bring in Farsi Winter Squash seeds that are…wet (not even damp), in a plastic bag, unlabelled, and not Farsi Winter Squash seeds!!! They need to be the correct seeds, bone dry (may take one to two weeks) and then, and only then when they’re completely dry, put the seeds in something that breathes (NO – plastic/wax paper/parchment paper/tin foil, YES – paper bags, newspaper, paper towel, tissues, heck – even toilet paper), labeled Farsi Winter Squash (we weren’t asked to save any other one we received…Acorn and Butternut’s what I recall). And please don’t eat them. The farm needs them much more than anyone’s tummy does. These seeds are not available in this country and none of the Halseys are going to Nepal anytime soon to acquire more. If you want to grow them yourself, keep 10 (way more than enough) and give the rest back. Any questions, I’d be happy to answer (no question is too anything to not be asked…I think that’s what I’m trying to say ).

This week’s email includes…

1. HELP! Your CSA needs you this week!!! We’re looking for TWO (2) people from 3:30 to 5:30pm and ONE (1) person to help from 5:30 to 7:30pm…
2. Nice article on Biodynamic farming that mentions Green Thumb Farm…
3. This week’s list…subject to change without notice (farming is like that)…
4. Celery Root (Celeriac) Tutorial…
5. Saving seeds (FYI - the seeds will keep till next April if you don’t hand them this week)
6. Upcoming events


1. HELP! Your CSA needs you this week!!! We’re looking for TWO (2) people from 3:30 to 5:30pm and ONE (1) person to help from 5:30 to 7:30pm…

Whether you owe CSA hours or not…whether you even planned on working this season or not…you could offer to help out…regardless. Besides, at the start of the CSA you get “first dibs” and at end of the CSA you have the opportunity to take extra produce from what’s left. This must be appealing to somebody…yes?

If you can be at the CSA from 3:30 to 5:30pm or 5:30 to 7:30pm this week please…
1. Respond to this email before 1pm Thursday
2. Call 631-421-4864 and leave a message before 1pm Thursday
2. Call the CSA at 631-385-1079 after 3pm THURSDAY ONLY and ask to speak to someone from the CSA and leave a message
3. Show up a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm and see if there’s still any help needed

You can ALWAYS stop by the CSA a little before 3:30 or 5:30 to offer to help in case someone doesn’t show up (or is late) without letting anyone know.



2. Nice article on Biodynamic farming that mentions Green Thumb Farm…

as well as Farmer Bill’s brother Larry Halsey and their brother-in-law, Steve Storch (married to sister JoHanna Halsey). Steve and Larry have both been to the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington as featured speakers with films about food and farming and may do so again in the near future.

Also, I used to know Hugh Williams (one of the early known Biodynamic practitioners) back in the day not so much as a farmer, but as a fellow activist protesting the Shoreham nuclear power plant! And then was sad that soon afterwards, he moved upstate New York to become a very well respected organic/biodynamic/anarchist farmer in that part of the world (I selfishly wished he would remain farming on Long Island but with the price of land and taxes…need I say more?)…

http://www.edibleeastend.com/online_magazine/farming-to-a-different-beat/



3. This week’s list…subject to change without notice (farming is like that!)

Week #34
December 15, 2011

1. Celery Root (Celeriac) – 1
2. Daikon/Rutabaga/Turnip combo to be weighed
3. Carrots: Purple – 1 bunch
4. Squash, Winter: Farsi - 1
5. Jerusalem Artichokes – 1 bag
6. Peppers, Hot – 1 bag/box (?)

Total Items: 6 (?)



4. Celery Root (Celeriac) Tutorial…

Celeriac: The Vegetable World’s Ugly Duckling – nice NPR piece…
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6551175

How to peel and chop Celery Root (Celeriac)…
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/giving-salad-a-spin-winter-salads/sidebars/1

Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten talks about Celery Root (Celeriac) and other things…
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/giving-salad-a-spin-winter-salads

Celery Root (Celeriac) and Mushroom Lasagna…
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/celery-root-and-mushroom-lasagna



5. Saving Seeds (FYI - the seeds will keep till next April if you don’t hand them this week)

It’s that time of year again when Farmer Bill asks us to save the seeds for one or two varieties of our Winter Squashes.

How to save Winter Squash seeds…

Mission…

1. Remove gunk
2. Dry out
3. prevent mold
4. Label correctly

If any of these actions are not accomplished the seeds need to be thrown out and your efforts will have been wasted

It’s VERY important to make sure you have the correct seeds saved and to label them correctly. If you don’t do this, the incorrect plant may hybridize with another similar plant which defeats the efforts of saving the seeds…it’s being done to save a particular variety of plant – not to create a new one.

1. Remove seeds from Winter Squash and get off all the gunk (not a botanical or culinary term but the best I can come up with at the moment) by putting the seeds in a bowl of water and rubbing the gunk off COMPLETELY
2. Once all the gunk is off, drain off the water in a colander
3. Spread out the seeds in a single layer on a baking tray or a large piece of cardboard or any non-porous surface (don’t use newspapers or paper towels as it may stick to the seeds and…there are reasons but the short version is the farmer doesn’t want ANYTHING stuck to the seeds)
4. Every day move the seeds around to help facilitate drying and prevent mold
5. Let them dry for a week or two…longer than you think would possibly be necessary (do not try and speed process along by drying in a microwave or oven…it will kill the seed…yes, it’s been done by CSA members in the past)
6. When completely dry, pack in a paper bag or wrap in newspaper (NEVER in anything plastic) and label exactly what they are…This week I believe it will be Winter Squash - Farsi
7. Save a few for yourself if you wish to grow them next season in your own garden but please return the rest to the CSA (leave at the sign-in table) as the farm needs them more than you do

Any questions about seed saving…please ask.



6. Upcoming events

Thursday, December 15th

3:30pm to 4:15pm

LI Rally Against Fracking
Mary Jane Davies Green
Plandome Rd (near the Manhasset train station)
Manhasset
For more info, a map, and to register (to let them know you’ll be coming):
http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/salsa/event/common/public/?key=72273
Even though we may not have any natural gas, Long Islanders will be directly affected by hydraulic fracturing. Fracking upstate will increase our air pollution, and could send millions of gallons of toxic and radioactive wastewater to treatment facilities on Long Island. That is why this coming Thursday, Food and Water Watch, Grassroots Environmental Education and Reach Out America will be holding a rally to show that Long Islanders care about hydraulic fracturing. The rally will take place at the Mary Jane Davies Green in Manhasset- the small park right on Plandome Road, near the train Manhasset train station. Come, and bring as many friends and family members as possible!

Wednesday, December 21st

5 to 6pm

Bhavani nterviews Jonathan Bloom, author of American Wasteland
I Eat Green
Progressive Radio
To listen live or to listen to archived shows:
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/eating-green/

American Wasteland chronicles how we waste food from farm to fork and examines the impact of our squandering. In his blog, Wasted Food, Jonathan writes about why we waste food, why it matters and what we can do about it. American Wasteland was chosen by The Slow Food Huntington Book Club, as their first read, and as a passionate food advocate, Bhavani is so excited to have Jonathan Bloom as her guest!

The shows are also available on iTune to be downloaded on iPhones.


Friday to Sunday, January 20th to 22nd

30th Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference
NOFA-NY Winter Conference 2012
The Cooperative Economy
Saratoga Springs
New York
For more info and to register:
http://www.nofany.org/events/winter-conference


Saturday to Saturday, January 21st to 28th

Spa Cooking at Rancho la Puerta with Bhavani
Tecate, Mexico
For more info and to register:
http://www.rancholapuerta.com/activities/events/ev120121.html

Rancho La Puerta encompasses 3,000 picturesque acres, including a a six-acre organic farm! Rancho La Puerta’s Cooking School hosts cooking classes that celebrate the magic that happens whenever good cooks use just-picked local, seasonal, organically grown ingredients. This sensory experience, combined with your opportunity to cook, side-by-side with Bhavani, and then sit down to a fine meal you helped prepare, provides an unforgettable culinary experience.

Bhavani offers three hands-on cooking classes during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta's culinary center. You also will have the opportunity to harvest produce from their organic garden, Tres Estrellas.

February 15th

3rd Annual No Farms, No Food Rally
Albany
For more info:
http://newyork.farmland.org/new-york-policy/2012-no-farms-no-food%c2%ae-rally-%e2%80%94february-15-albany

Join farmers, food advocates, local officials, environmentalists and other New Yorkers at the State Capitol to urge state leaders to support funding and legislation that protects farmland and the environment, increases the availability of nutritious food grown in New York and strengthens the farm and food economy. Bus transportation roundtrip from New York City to Albany will be available. Online registration is coming soon!


Friday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th

Fri – 8am to 7:30pm
Sat – 8am to 6pm

Eat. Work. Grow the Movement: Just Food’s 2012 Conference
Food and Finance High School
525 W 50th St
NYC
$15 to $50
To purchase tickets:
http://jfconference2012.eventbrite.com/
For more info:
http://justfood.org/events

Join Just Food, local food lovers and advocates, CSA members, community gardeners, urban and rural farmers, food professionals and entrepreneurs for two days of hands-on workshops, discussions, skill building sessions, and good food. Learn about cooking and food preservations techniques, CSA trends and the food justice movement in NYC and beyond, as well as ways you can mobilize to create good food projects in your own community.

On Friday, we’ll conclude with a Good Food Jobs Fair and on Saturday, we’ll celebrate the end of the conference with an Expo featuring exemplary local food artisans, sustainable businesses, and organizations.


Wednesday, February 29th

13th Annual Organic Turf Show
For more info and to register:
631-963-5454
http://neighborhood-network.org/index.htm

The Neighborhood Network Turf Show, which is designed for turf care professionals, features vendors of 100% natural horticulture products, and workshops on organic care of lawns, athletic fields, and even non-toxic indoor pest control. Come learn about the latest in organic turf and land care.

More info TBA.

February/March/April (date yet to be decided)
1st Long Island CSA Fair
More info TBA

Saturday, April 14th

8am to 6pm

Small Farm Summit 2012
Hofstra University
Uniondale
For more info or to volunteer and get involved:
http://www.longislandsmallfarmcentral.com/

Keynote speakers: Will Allen, CEO of Growing Power (featured in the movie Fresh) and Chef Ann Cooper, the Renegade Lunch Lady (former executive chef of the Ross School in East Hampton).

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