Full Share: Slicing Tomatoes, Salad Mix, String Beans, Sweet Corn, Shishito Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Basil, Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Sungold Cherry Tomatoes
Partial Share: Eggplant, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Poblano Peppers, Sweet Corn, Basil, Onion, Garlic, and String Beans
Hello CSA Members!
As a farmer in Montana, some times I feel like you just have to buckle up and hang on for the ride. That heat wave we just went through seems to have put the farm into fast forward. Not only is the sweet corn about 2 feet taller than normal, but it’s ready by mid-August, which is pretty good for this part of the valley. On top of that, the pumpkins are ready, and most of the winter squash is ripe and the vines are dying back already. We’ve been rushing to get carrots out of the ground before they get too big, get the onions and potatoes harvested, and finish up cleaning all the garlic. Because no matter how hot it has been, we know that we are now in mid-August, and like it or not, fall is not very far away. One day you’re worrying your cabin is going to burn in the Gibralter Ridge Fire, and then all of a sudden we’re having to cover crops because there is a risk of frost tonight. There is certainly nothing subtle or gradual about Montana weather.
The past few weeks have been extremely busy on the farm. It’s wonderful to see that Farmer’s Markets are once again such a vibrant part of community life, but boy, they do get a bit crazy this time of year. As a farmer in a cold climate, these couple of weeks are precious, when we’re able to offer up tomatoes, sweet corn, eggplant, beans and peppers, which are the mainstays for farmers in many other pats of the country. And your CSA share this week is a true summer share. I know many folks don’t believe me when I say this, but you can eat the sweet corn raw. It is that sweet and tender, that no cooking is necessary. If you don’t believe me, and least take one bite before cooking. And tell me this little recipe for your grill doesn’t just say “summer”!
Peak season for tomatoes!
This is also the week that we host the annual Center for Restorative Youth Justice (CRYJ) fundraiser dinner. The dinner is on Friday at 6pm, and I believe tickets are still available if anyone is in the mood for a farm tour, some local beer and wine, and a farm-to-table dinner to support a great cause. Go to https://restorativeyouthjustice.org/harvestdinner/ . For all those folks who pickup on farm on Friday, this dinner will obviously be in your way, so you can either come get your share before 5pm, or we’ll set up a spot at the end of the driveway for you so you don’t have to navigate the crowd.
Here’s hoping there’s no frost tonight! See you at CSA Distribution!
Todd and the Two Bear Farm Team
