2021 CSA Season Week Twelve

August 24, 2021

Week Twelve of the 2021 CSA Season has arrived, ladies and gents! And with it, the cool weather has tagged along. We hope you’re enjoying this respite from the heat as much as we are out here on the farm, though we’re still hoping for a few more hot, sunny days to play in the water and enjoy the freedoms summer brings.

Special Announcements:

First of the month payments are coming up next week. If you’re set up for automatic payments and any of your information has changed, please get ahold of us here at the farm so we can update our system. You can reach us by phone at 541-935-1920 or by email at [email protected]. Balance statements for half-payment folks went out last week. If you have any issues or questions about making a payment, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We’re still low on CSA boxes! While we completely understand the boxes are getting heavier each each, we would like to ask that you bring your own container to move your food into instead of taking the boxes home. If you do have any at home, we would love it if you’d bring them back at your next pickup. We do provide paper bags in the bins at the sites in case you need them. Site hosts, if you’re getting low, please reach out to us so we can replenish the bags for you.

Don’t forget to check your name off the list when you pickup your box each week so we know you got your share. If you are unable to pickup during the designated times, please give your site host a call to see if you can make arrangements. If you pickup at a residential site, your share becomes forfeit after the 7:00pm deadline. Unfortunately, if you forget and your box gets donated, we are unable to give you another share or issue a credit. If you pickup at one of our markets, the shares do come back to the farm, but we only hold them until the next packing day (Tuesday or Friday). After that, the leftover shares are donated to Food for Lane County.

Our website has a vacation request form! If you’re going out of town and you’re unable to pick up your share, you can submit a request form to either take a credit toward the 2022 season, or give your share as a tax-deductible donation. We do require 7 days notice to make changes to our list. While we’re still getting emails and voicemails requesting vacation changes, we would love for you to use our vacation form instead with at least one week notice. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we transition to scheduling changes exclusively on our website, hopefully as soon as next year!

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

This week marks the 58th anniversary of the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. On August 28, 1963, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the March on Washington, stood before the Lincoln Memorial, and delivered a speech that moved a nation. Dr. King spoke of equality and kindness. He spoke of ridding this country of hatred even in the deepest recesses of the south where racism is still alive and well. In school, our children are taught that this speech was an important part of our history, but current events remind us that the dream of Dr. King is still very much our present. Though the pandemic draws our attention from the inequality that has divided our country for centuries, racism is still prevalent and one of the driving forces in legislation being made today. In the spirit of Dr. King, my hope for us all is we treat others with kindness and respect. Let us not judge by the color of our skin, our sexuality, our religion, our social class, or our political affiliation. Let our actions define us rather than our hatred for that which we cannot control. And let us never forget, that BLACK LIVES MATTER.

What’s in your box this week:

  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Onion
  • Cucumber
  • Corn
  • Tomatoes

Some sites only:

  • Eggplant
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Zucchini
  • Patty Pan Squash

We aren’t always able to harvest our veggies in equal share, but don’t worry, we’re keeping excellent notes. If you don’t get something in your share this time, we’ll be sure to get you next time.

Handy Tips:

  • Corn: It’s best to eat your fresh corn as soon as possible. The natural sugars begin to break down soon after harvesting. Corn can keep for a few days if it’s refrigerated with the husks on. Corn on the Cob is one of the best ways to enjoy fresh-picked corn. To cook, steam in 2 inches of water for 6-10 minutes, or drop into boiling water and cook for 4-7 minutes. Older or over-mature corn is great when added to corn bread, soups, stews, chilis, casseroles, stir-fries, quiches, salads, or bean dishes. Special note: It is not uncommon to find a worm in your organically grown corn. Simply cut away the bad section and cook the rest. It’s perfectly fine to eat!

What We’re Making:

One of our members made this beautiful breakfast plate with Winter Green Farm veggies, and I, for one, am jealous! What are you making? Send us a picture at [email protected] or tag us on social media, and you might see it on the blog! You can find us on Instagram (@wintergreenfarm) or Facebook (Winter Green Farm). We’d love to see what you’re all cooking up!

As August winds down and the cool weather swoops in, we hope you’re able to enjoy the last few weeks of summer with your loved ones and soak up the sun. We’re so thankful you’re letting us tag along on your food journey this season!

Many blessings,

Chelsea, Linda, and your Winter Green farmers