Green Thumb Farm Huntington CSA

Happy Summer!

Last week’s missing Tomato mystery solved! We’re getting much better at solving these! A CSA member mistakenly took an extra pint of Tomatoes so to rectify that situation (after they let me know they had them), I picked up the Tomatoes and delivered them to the person that didn’t get them. Done! Please read the wall chart, follow what it says and take a minute to check your bag before you leave the parking lot to make sure you’ve got it right (you can even dump your CSA share on a table to check…it can be challenging to keep track of it all in multiple bags or things get buried under other things  ).

About weighing…please weigh multiple things in the same bowl as the person near the scale asks you to OR check the wall chart and see what number they’re listed in…basically you’re weighing the heavier things before the lighter things…think putting big rocks in a bucket, then gravel and then sand…it’s kinda like that…only it will taste better. 

***I got the number WRONG last week (sorry) so please put THIS number in your cell phone!!! 631-385-1079…it’s the hall phone in the UUFH building and it’s the only reliable way to contact the CSA during the CSA! Use only on Thursdays from 3pm to 8pm. If no one picks up…keep calling until someone does. They’re there, they’re just not hearing it.

We could use a LOT more CSA members! If each of us (we’re now 50) managed to find three more members our farmer would be VERY happy. We now have till the week after Labor Day to accept new members. After that, we’re talking April of 2013. If each of us got one more member to join, that would be great, and if THEY got one more member…you get the idea. Even ideas of where to leave CSA brochures or posters, and where to do lectures about CSA would be helpful. So far this season I participated in the 1st LI CSA Fair, the 2nd LI Small Farm Summit, and a health fair at the Vitamin Shoppe in Melville, gave a lecture to the Holistic Moms Network about eating local and just put an ad (VERY reasonably priced) in the brochure for a charity auction for the local Montessori School. I said I would do this last year and didn’t so, I’ll be walking the streets around the UUFH and leaving brochures with a cover sheet that’s an invite to visit the CSA in people’s mailboxes. The exercise will do me good  ! At the moment, I’m waiting to get confirmation as to if and when Dines Farm is returning before I print up any more CSA brochures or place any ads. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated and considered. Another thing that was talked about last year and not done that will be done this year is putting an a paid ad in The Beacon, the newsletter of the UUFH, for several issues.


This week’s email includes…

1. Your CSA does not need you this week, however…
2. Honey Shares Now Available!
3. Bags and you
4. This week’s list…subject to change without notice (farming is like that)
5. Request for coupons and all things baby related…
6. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff to Do (new events added weekly)
7. It’s that time of year and they’re spraying us again…
8. Article about CSFs (Community Supported Fisheries)…
9. What you actually got last week
10. You can do a lot by just clicking!
11. And now…for something completely different



1. Your CSA does not need you this week, however…

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…life happens! 

If you didn’t get a confirmation email from Judi (occasionally it’s me), you’re not scheduled to work this week.



2. Honey Shares Now Available!

Farmer Bill just let me know that his daughter has Honey for us to buy from her hives. She’s a biodynamic beekeeper who lives upstate New York by the St. Lawrence River. Honey can’t really be certified organic as Bees will fly within a 5 mile radius, on average, if they’re not happy where they are and not getting the pollen and nectar they’re looking for. I imagine these upstate Bees are happy as the proverbial clams are they’re living out in what might be called “God’s country” (ie – the sticks) and so, aren’t going anywhere and thereby the Honey is as organic as it’s going to get.

Info about Biodynamic Beekeeping…
http://www.themelissagarden.com/beekeeping.html
Biodynamic beekeeping class in November upstate NY…
https://www.paymenttrakker.com/pfeiffercenter/courses.aspx

The Honey is $10 per 1 lb container. They come in plastic squeeze bottles. I would prefer glass but this Honey is shipped and she tried glass jars the first time but there was too much breakage to have confidence it shipping it again using glass. Plus, I haven’t heard anything yet about there being an issue with anything from plastic leaching into Honey (just don’t heat up the Honey in the plastic bottle…if you do, I bet then there could be some leaching…microwave – definitely, warm, not hot, water – maybe none to some, hot water – more likely). And since she’s a Biodynamic beekeeper I’d hope she’d keep informed about such matters and would change to glass if it indeed was a problem.

To order…bring cash or check (made out to Halseys Green Thumb Farm) to the CSA sign-in table with your name on it, and the number of containers of Honey you want, and the dollar amount enclosed. We have three weeks to get the order together so we’d be getting the Honey near the end of August and we may or may not get another opportunity to order Honey from her this season. Often we’ve had two chances…June/July and then again in November/December but won’t guarantee this will happen this year.

Why aren’t we getting Honey from Green Thumb Farm? My belief is that Farmer Bill is trying to be supportive of his daughter’s ongoing beekeeping efforts in hopes that someday she will come back to the family farm and become their beekeeper.

If your concern is using Honey for the treatment of allergies, you want to use Honey within a 10 mile radius of where you live and it’s not just a matter of then getting any old nearby Honey and consuming it whenever. It’s more complicated than I had originally thought. I’d be happy to discuss this with anyone interested in more info and/or go to Frederique Keller’s website and I’m sure she could help out…
http://beepharm.com/BeepharmSite/Home.html



3. Bags and you

The short story is make sure to bring bags to pack your CSA food as the CSA does not provide them.

Suggestion…put bags (paper/plastic/cloth) in EVERY vehicle you own. Put them in the glove compartment, trunk, wherever, and make sure to replenish them when the supply is running low or you’re out of them. That way it will be hard to forget them.

And, if someone is picking up for you, please remind them about bringing bags with them.



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

Week #15
August 2, 2012

1. Tomatoes
2. Basil
3. Scallions
4. Carrots
5. Cucumbers
6. Squash, Summer
7. Beans, Snap: Green

Total Items: 7 (?)

Flower Share
Week #8
Zinnias (?)



5. Request for coupons and all things baby related…

Lucille, who shares with CSA member Joanne Schenendorf, could use any coupons related to any items connected to babies…diapers, formula, baby food…whatever. AND, also possibly any baby clothes, furnishings, etc. She’s a hands on philanthropist working with young girls with babies in the Huntington area. Leave any coupons at the CSA sign-in desk and we’ll make sure to get them to Lucille, to help with her good works! As far as clothes and furniture, etc…contact me and I’ll get you in touch with Lucille.



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

Thursday, August 2nd

6pm

iEat Green’s Farm to Table Cooking Series: Vegan
Old Westbury
$89
To register email:
Bhavani
Bhavani@iEatGreen.com


6:30pm

Fermented NY: A Taste & Talk with Sandor Katz
The Tenement Museum
103 Orchard St
NYC
$25/$45 with book The Art of Fermentation
For more info about Sandor Katz:
http://www.wildfermentation.com/
For tickets:
https://webformsrig01bo3.blackbaudhosting.com/10819/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=632afc18-31c6-4583-905d-6cea0285df05

New York is home to diverse pickling traditions. Join Sandor Katz, author of The Art of Fermentation, for a taste of "fermented New York," followed by a home pickling workshop. Pickles will also be served.


7pm

How to Obtain a Legal Exemption to NYS Vaccine Law
Holistic Moms Network Huntington NY Chapter Meeting
1929 Elwood Public Library
E Northport
Jericho Tpke (intersection of Elwood Rd in the shopping center on the northeast corner)
FREE
For more info:
www.holisticmoms.org
Email: huntingtonhmn@aol.com
Facebook...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Holistic-Moms-Network-Suffolk-County-Huntington-Area-NY-Chapter/399399243443967

Guest speaker Charles C. Nicholas, attorney speaks about your freedom of choice under the NYS Vaccine Law. Connect with other parents (and non-parents) interested in holistic health and green living. Tea and healthy snacks provided (or bring something to share) so please be green and bring your own mug!


Friday, August 3rd

3pm

Sandor Katz and The Art of Fermentation
Williams Sonoma
121 E 59th St (between Lexington Ave and Park Ave)
NYC
FREE
For more info about Sandor Katz:
http://www.wildfermentation.com/
Join us at your local Williams-Sonoma store for a special book signing and cooking demonstration with Sandor Katz. He will be signing copies of his new cookbook, The Art of Fermentation: An In-Depth Exploration of Essential Concepts and Processes from Around the World. Learn the simple principles behind vegetable fermentation and how to use this important ancient art to preserve seasonal vegetables and produce probiotic delicacies, any time of year.

Saturday, August 4th

10am

Gateway Garden Vegetable Sale and Fundraiser
Gateway Community Garden
Rte 110 and Lowndes Ave
Huntington Station

CSA member Ann Rathkopf is involved in this project. Join Bhavani Jaroff for a food demo and learn how to prep all of the vegetables harvested from the garden, while helping to raise money for Huntington Station's Gateway Garden. The Gateway gardeners are pooling their hand-grown, pesticide-free vegetables to help keep the garden growing for the future. There will be live music, face painting and other entertainment for kids; expert talks on square foot gardening and other topics. Learn to make pesto and other ways to preserve vegetables.

11am

Urban Zen Sensible Wellness Lecture Series – Lauren Zander, Life Coaching
Urban Zen
4 Bay St
Sag Harbor
FREE
Since this is being held at Donna Karan’s store, Urban Zen, she may just be stopping by!


Sunday, August 5th

5pm

Peconic Land Trust Benefit…Through Farms and Fields
Whitecap Farm
Horsemill La
Water Mill
$275
For more info and to get tickets:
631-283-3195 xt 19

Includes a country dinner of local food, wine by Paumanok Vineyards, and preview of a film about the next generation of farmers.


Tuesday, August 7th

7pm

Huntington Food Share – Food Not Bombs
Fairground Ave and E 6th St (outside of All Weather Tires)
Huntington Station
For more info and to get involved:
http://www.lifnb.com/chapters/huntington_food_share

Distribution of food and clothing to all who attend and are in need.


Wednesday, August 8th

4pm to 5pm

iEat Green
http://prn.fm/shows/lifestyle-shows/i-eat-green/

iEat Green is hosted by Slow Food Huntington’s Bhavani Jharoff. Listen to this internet radio show either live or if you miss this show, you can listen to it on the archives and it’s available for downloading on iTunes for your iPhone.

Today’s guest will be Carleen Madigan. Before becoming an editor at Storey Publishing, Carleen was managing editor of Horticulture magazine and lived on an organic farm outside Boston, Massachusetts, where she learned the homesteading skills described in her book: The Backyard Homestead: Produce All The Food You Need on Just a Quarter Acre!
.

Thursday, August 9th

6pm

iEat Green’s Farm to Table Cooking Series: Raw
Old Westbury
$89
To register email:
Bhavani
Bhavani@iEatGreen.com


August 10th to 12th

NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) Summer Conference
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
For more info:
http://www.nofasummerconference.org/
And to register and see a listing of workshops:
http://www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/2012_SC_regform.pdf

Featured speaker this year is Jeffery Smith, author of Seeds of Destruction and an authority on GE/GMO foods. Over 200 workshops, kid friendly, fun for everyone…singles, seniors, families – everyone! Great food and a good time will be had by all who attend.


Saturday, August 11th

11am

Urban Zen Sensible Wellness Lecture Series – Brad Thompson, Essential Oils
Urban Zen
4 Bay St
Sag Harbor
FREE
Since this is being held at Donna Karan’s store, Urban Zen, she may just be stopping by!

2pm

North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ and Wine Festival
Martha Clara Vineyard
6025 Sound Ave
Riverhead
$55 Advance/$70 Door…IF there are still unsold tickets left/$15 Designated Driver (rain or shine…no refunds)
For more info and to get tickets:
http://northforkcraftbeerfestival.com/


Tuesday, August 14th

8pm

Dark Side of the Moon concert
East Village Green
Levittown
FREE
The band’s website…
http://www.wonderous-stories.com/
Directions and map:
http://www.recreationparks.net/NY/nassau/east-village-green-levittown

CSA member Kenny Friedman will be playing with Wondrous Stories doing the entire Pink Floyd piece, Dark Side of the Moon. Details TBA.


Saturday, August 18th

10am

Summer on the Farm
Stone Barns Center
Pocantico Hills, NY
For more info:
http://www.stonebarnscenter.org/sotf-2012/

Head upstate for a great day at one of NY’s premiere farm-to-table establishments. Activities for children 5 up and adults including a walk on Sunday with Wildman Steve Brill!


11am

Urban Zen Sensible Wellness Lecture Series – Dr Frank Lipman, Integrative Medicine
Urban Zen
4 Bay St
Sag Harbor
FREE
Since this is being held at Donna Karan’s store, Urban Zen, she may just be stopping by!


Sunday, August 19th

10am

Summer on the Farm
Stone Barns Center
Pocantico Hills, NY
For more info:
http://www.stonebarnscenter.org/sotf-2012/

Head upstate for a great day at one of NY’s premiere farm-to-table establishments. Activities for children 5 up and adults including a walk on Sunday with Wildman Steve Brill!


Thursday, August 23rd

6pm

iEat Green’s Farm to Table Cooking Series: Vegetarian
Old Westbury
$89
To register email:
Bhavani
Bhavani@iEatGreen.com


Saturday, August 25th

11am

Urban Zen Sensible Wellness Lecture Series – Stephanie Sacks, nutrition
Urban Zen
4 Bay St
Sag Harbor
FREE
Since this is being held at Donna Karan’s store, Urban Zen, she may just be stopping by!


Sunday, August 26th

6pm

Farm to Table Fundraiser for Slow Food Huntington and LI CAN
Fox Hollow Farm
Huntington
$75

CSA member Ann Rathkopf is one of the founders of Slow Food Huntington and involved with LI CAN (Community Agricultural Network). The money is going towards sending a youth delegate from Slow Food Huntington to Terra Madre in Italy this year, and establishing new service gardens by LI-CAN. There will be a farm tour and dinner using all local and organic produce, and locally caught sustainable fish. More info TBA.


Monday, August 27th

7pm

I Could Write a Book: the story of Beverly Fite
East Meadow Public Library
1886 Front St
East Meadow
For more info:
516-794-2949
http://www.eastmeadow.info/

This movie is about CSA member Polly Hanson Greenberg’s mom and Polly and her mom will be attending! 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 began her Broadway career in the original Broadway production of Oklahoma! Her father, a country lawyer from a small town in Alabama was disbarred. Join Beverly on an emotional journey in search of the real story of her father's disbarment and ultimately the meaning of her own life's journey. Directed by special guest Emmy Award-winning Long Island filmmaker Ron Rudaitis.


Thursday, August 30th

6pm

iEat Green’s Farm to Table Cooking Series: Fish
Old Westbury
$89
To register email:
Bhavani
Bhavani@iEatGreen.com


Saturday, September 1st

11am

Urban Zen Sensible Wellness Lecture Series – Ragan Finalborgo, Hamptons Wellness Services
Urban Zen
4 Bay St
Sag Harbor
FREE
Since this is being held at Donna Karan’s store, Urban Zen, she may just be stopping by!


Saturday, September 22nd

Farm Aid
Hersheypark Stadium
PA
$37.75 to $101.46
For more info:
http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723605/k.C7B8/Concert.htm
For ticket info:
http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.5307325/k.93C0/Ticket_Info.htm?msource=concert

So far it’s Willie, Neil, John, and Jack Johnson and Dave Mathews…and more!


Wednesday, October 3rd

6pm

Let Us Eat Local
The Altman Building
135 W 18th St
NYC
$175 (before October 3rd…after $200)
For more info and to get tickets:
http://luel.eventbrite.com/

This event is a benefit for Just Food, the group that organizes CSA in all five boroughs of NYC, in addition to being involved in the City Chickens project, City Farms and getting more local food into food pantries as well as being involved in fighting hunger in NYC. They do great work and are a great bunch of folks. This will be a locavore’s delight if you see the list of participating restaurants.


Saturday, October 12th

8:30am

Holistic Moms Network presents…
9th Annual Natural Living Conference
Chicago, IL
$80 Member/$90 General Public/$45 child over 3 (lunch included)
For more info and to register:
http://register.holisticmoms.org/2012_HMN_NLC.pdf

Celebrate holistic parenting with special guests Andrea Beaman (natural foods chef, author, tv host and Top Chef contestant..and she cured herself of thyroid disease thru diet and natural methods) and Barbara Loe Fisher (National Vaccine Information Center Co-Founder). Learn…share…connect!


Tuesday, October 23rd

6pm

Taste of the Harvest
Crest Hollow Country Club
Jericho Tpke
Woodbury
$295
For more info and to buy tickets:
http://www.islandharvest.org/page.aspx?name=fundraisingevents&eventid=123

Island Harvest is celebrating 20 years of service fighting hunger and touching lives, and honoring Stop and Shop.


Thursday, October 25th to Sunday, October 29th

Salone del Gusto & Terre Madre
Turin, Italy
For more info and to get tickets:
http://salonedelgustoterramadre.slowfood.com/

This is Slow Food’s biannual international event in the land where the organization Slow Food began…Italy!



7. It’s that time of year and they’re spraying us again…

Yes, I was driving thru Queens last night and kept my windows closed as they were spraying various pesticides in response to West Nile Virus from 8pm to 6am…maybe…if the weather was right.

There’s going to be a series of meetings discussing the spraying in the following communities if you’d like to attend for information, to protest or to add your input to the conversation (and if you know anyone who lives in these areas to let them know)…

All will be held at 7pm…
Aug. 6 at the Island Park Public Library,
Aug. 7 at the Franklin Square Public Library,
Aug. 8 at Massapequa Park Village Hall,
Aug. 14 at the Manhasset Public Library and
Aug. 22 at the Syosset Public Library.


8. Article about CSFs (Community Supported Fisheries)…

Who’s going to start one in Huntington? 
http://grist.org/food/beyond-red-lists-the-power-of-community-supported-fisheries/



9. What you actually got last week

Week #14
July 26, 2012

1. Lettuce: Leaf, Green – 1 head - $2.75
2. Squash, Summer – (up to but not over) 2 lbs - $3.75
3. Cucumbers – 1 Regular + 1 Kirby - $1.00
4. Tomatoes, Mini: Pear, Yellow OR Sungold – 1 pt - $4.25
5. Fennel – 1 bunch - $3.25
6. Radicchio: Chiogga * - 1 head - $3.00

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.00 (We pay $17.50 per week to our farmer for the food we get every week. Today we’ve gotten $.50 extra, making the total extra that we’ve received from our farmer [over and above the $17.50 we pay per week] for the year so far $13.00)

*Radicchio…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radicchio
http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0094.htm
Comments about this page…pointed head is fine…small heads are fine when you know where they came from and how fresh they are (remember…they want you to buy from them and nowhere else!)
http://radicchio.com/for-chefs/
http://radicchio.com/blog/

Flower Share
Week #7
Sunflowers

Herb Share – Aug 1A (coming early)
Oregano AND Sorrel



10. You can do a lot by just clicking!

Did you sign this petition about a fair farm bill? Heck…sign it again! Also, spread the word as only 10,000 people have signed it…
http://action.freshthemovie.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=11316

Tell Governor Cuomo to fire someone who’s in denial about climate change, and they are responsible for environmental regulations!!!
http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=11181



11. And now for something completely different…

You’ll NEVER guess what they can make artificial Raspberry flavor from (and when you find out…you may never eat or drink it again… )…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/food-republic/6-ingredients-food_b_1400970.html#s852350&title=TBHQ_AKA_Butane

###