Full Shares:  Salad Mix, Lacinato Kale, Scarlet Turnips, Spring Onions, Radishes, Carrots, and Basil

Partial Shares:  Beets, Salad Mix, Spring Onions, Lacinato Kale, and Carrots

Hello CSA members!

Many folks don’t realize it, but our modern American industrialized agricultural system is strongly rooted in the mechanical and chemical advances made during World War II.  Artificial nitrogen invented to create bombs became the primary fertilizer.  Chemical weapons technology was used to develop  pesticides.  And tracked machines turned into tractors.  It’s no wonder that terms such as the “war on weeds” and an adversarial relationship with the natural world seems to be prevalent in our farming.  But as a “sustainable” farmer, we are supposed to view the world in a much more holistic and nurturing light, where a person works hand in hand with natural systems to produce wholesome food.  And we do.

But as the insects continue to destroy crops, and the weeds are doing there best to choke out all our hard work, I have to admit, there are times where this view really gets tested.

It all looks so peaceful and in control from the front entrance…..

As any one who grew up watching “Wild Kingdom” knows, nature is a rough and tumble place, where interactions between predator and prey can often get messy.  And the farm is no different.  There are times when the crush of weeds and pests makes one’s holistic attitude turn rather adversarial.  Dare I say confrontational.  I know the pests are just being pests, and the weeds are just doing there job as weeds, but they cause damage and stress, and that inevitably leads to a change in how we interact with the farm.  So the goal is to beat back that weed and pest pressure as quickly as possible, so that the baby zebra can be reunited with it’s mother.  Or something like that.

We just love our CSA!

Not sure what any of that has to do with the CSA share this week, other than to say that we have more than had our hands full with the farm over the past month, and hopefully with a couple more weeks of solid effort, we will emerge to slightly less exhausting existence.   To help us out, there are a couple of announcements. First, if you want to temporarily change your pickup location for the week, we ask that you no longer email or call us to do so, but rather go into your “member login” screen on our website and make the change. We seem to be getting buried in requests, and it is just as easy for our members to make the changes themselves.  As always let us know if you encounter any issues.  Second, it takes a village to remember “add-ons”.   If you have signed up for an “add-on” this season, whether it’s kale, salad mix, or carrots, please tell us at the time of your CSA pickup so we are sure to give it to you.  Our record the past couple weeks has been a bit spotty, but together, I’m optimistic we can do better!

As for recipe ideas, I’m going to tackle the ubiquitous spring onion this week, as some of you may be having trouble keeping up.  First recommendation is to add them to every single thing that you eat, excluding cereal.   Second recommendation is grilling….here is a quick description.  

This recipe sure sounds like a quiche to me, but I love the idea of a spring onion “pie”.  Or in keeping with the  pseudo-quiche theme, how about this crustless variation with spring onions.

Lastly, we are looking for some strong workers to come out and help us weed for a few days.   So if any of you are interested, please let us know.  Half-day minimum.  We’ll even pay you $10 an hour, or give you free veggies, whichever you prefer.   Adults only, please.   Just contact us at 2bearfarm@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you at CSA pickup!

Todd and the Two Bear Farm crew