THIS WEEK'S HARVEST
Calico Popcorn, Winter Luxury Pie Pumpkins or Sunshine Kabocha, Koginut Winter Squash, Harvest Moon Potatoes, Leeks, Broccoli, Romanesco, Celery Root, Lorz Italian Softneck Garlic, Cured Cabernet Onions, Dino Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Multicolored Daikon Radishes, Bolero Carrots, Multicolored Beets, Cherokee Batavian Lettuce, Fancy Fall Salad Mix (with Arugula from Winter Sister Farm and our own Radicchio and Frisee)
U-PICK
Albion Strawberries: Slim pickings
Herbs: Thyme, Oregano, Marjoram, Tarragon, Onion Chives, Garlic Chives, Culinary Lavender, French Sorrel, Various Mints, Lemongrass (located near the picnic bench next to the far oak tree & strawberries, look for the tall grass and sign)
HARVEST NOTES
Winter Luxury Pie Pumpkin: This lacy, pale-orange beauty is the best pumpkin we’ve found for pumpkin pie (although Sunshine Kabocha also makes an exquisite pie!). See below for Kayta’s tried and true pumpkin pie recipe.
Calico Popcorn: This corn can serve double duty: As decoration, or popcorn! When you’re done savoring their beauty, remove the kernels from the cob with your hands by starting at the bottom of the ear and pushing downward. Once you’ve gotten a few kernels off, the going gets easier.
WHEN DOES THE CSA END?
Our 2022 harvest season runs until the first week of December. The last Saturday pickup will be December 3rd, and the last Tuesday pick-up of the year will be December, 6th.
WHEN CAN I RESERVE MY SPOT FOR 2023?
We are deep in the planning phases for next season, rest assured, current members will be given the first chance to reserve a spot in 2023 CSA program!
FARMER’S LOG
A FARMER’S THANKSGIVING
Kayta and I both grew up in the suburbs and, like everyone, we would encountered those ubiquitous expressions — “make hay while the sun shines,” “three shakes of a lamb's tail,” “like a horse who’s seen the barn,” “chomping at the bit,” etc. It wasn’t until we started farming that we began to feel the visceral poetry of these expressions and understand their roots. And it wasn’t until we started farming that we began to understand — like really understand — the need to give thanks in the Fall.
The Fall is an incredible time of year in the temperate world. It is a season of unimaginable bounty. The plants of forest and field have spent all Spring and Summer harnessing the sun’s energy into their fruits, seeds, roots, and leaves and we have harvested. In the Fall the root cellar is full, the larder is full, the granary is full — the land has burst forth at its seams and we have gathered the overflow.
The farmer, sitting at home with his feet up next to the fire, is keenly aware of the bounty in the root cellar below. He feels a great contentment in this but no pride because he realizes how little we did to create it. Sure, he worked hard all year — moving things here and there — but it was others, present now and before, that filled that cellar. It was others who dug it out and laid the roof. Others who forged the tools and taught him how to use them. Others who saved the seeds and taught others, who taught others, who taught others, who taught him how to care for them. And what (or who) made those seeds sprout? Not he.
For all this, there is nothing to give but thanks.
We’d like to take a moment to give thanks those who made this year's harvest season possible.
First, to the indigenous people and cultures who stewarded into existence, and who continue to steward, so many of the seeds we grow for our harvest shares. As we enjoy this week’s popcorn, and our decadent pumpkin pies, let us think of these people, their communities, and give meaningful thanks for these gifts. Similarly, to the people and cultures on whose ancestral land we live and farm — the Southern Pomo — the next time we walk out to the farm, let us think of them and give active thanks in the year by finding tangible ways help support and empower their communities.
To all the volunteers who helped on the farm this year — with a special shout-outs to Wes Look, Juli Thomollari, the Seely’s, Cassidy Blackwell and Adam Kahn. Once again, we really leaned on our community to help us with our big harvests this year. It is simultaneously so helpful and so joyful to be out in the field with you.
To our amazing farming comrades here on Cooper corner; Will, Gina, Lucas and everyone at Longer Table Farm; Anna, Sarah, Kate and everyone over at Winter Sister Farm; Sarah McAmant and Graham; thank you all for insights, favors, tool use, shop talk, and camaraderie through the long days.
To our neighbors; Walter, Graham and Gwen, Kevin and Kerri Lee, Sherri, BJ and everyone at the Herb Xchange for your patience and support for what is often a very smelly and loud business in your back (or front) yard.
A very special thanks to Scott Mathieson and Laurel Anderson, who have done so much, over the last 3 years (and beyond) to shepherd our farm to this special place. Scotty (who started Laguna Farm in the 1980’s, when organic farming wasn’t even cool yet) is the reason why we are here in so many tangible and intangible ways. We benefit from the vision, care, and hard work you put into this place everyday. Our farm, the land, and our community are lucky that you two, and your amazing family, has come to steward this place for so long. Thank you.
To Jared Sutton for carrying our 2nd cooler over here on his back; to Tristan Benson for saving our mechanical butts numerous times; to Rusty Davis for the pad; to our parents Carl & Martha Plescia, Kathy & Bob Brady, for all your work getting us moved and settled here; to Nicole Plescia for the help rebranding; and to our sweet friends and families for your unconditional love and support: Let’s hang out!
To our incredible regular crew this year Grace, Ashlynn and Lauren and to our sensational ringers, Anayeli and Alberto. It’s no small feat pulling off a season like this even in a normal year — let alone one as transitional as this year was for the farm. We are endlessly grateful for all your hard work, ideas, grit, grace, patience, laughter, snacks, and the Tapatio you brought to the farm this year.
And finally, to you, our members. Whatever bounty we’ve enjoyed this year is because of you. You made a real connection to, and shared in the very real risk of, a growing season with farmers — something extremely rare and important, we think, in this crazy world. So you were there with us as we planted each seed, spread the compost, laid the irrigation lines and did the work that went into planting your food — and you did quite a bit of u-picking yourself! You showed up each week with sweet smiles and words of encouragement and appreciation that lifted our hearts.
You reminded us, day after day, week after week, that real, life-sustaining bounty comes from a community rolling up its collective sleeves and building something needful and beautiful together.
Thank you.
See you in the fields,
David & Kayta
