Many a farming mentor of ours has said that everyone is happier when all of the agriculture has moved out of the house. We keep reminding ourselves of this as we haul tomatoes crates onto the back porch (because they are the one crop we don’t put in cold storage), or pack up the farm stand supplies and bring them in the house when it rains…We keep reminding ourselves of this when the days are extra long with Dan framing out work areas in the barn and running electrical wires. (We should be able to call for our first electrical inspection soon. This is one important step closer…)
There are very good reasons for outbuildings: they make it easier to produce and process this wonderful food, and they make the farm family happier by not making the household share space with produce storage, harvesting and washing supplies, market booth supplies, and the like. With the combination of the impending fall and the barn starting to become functional, we just might not be able to keep the smiles off of our faces. We might become annoying with our level of giddiness. Thanks for tolerating us.
Brassicas are in the ground (these are the kale/broccoli/collards, etc family). Final successions of tomatoes and cucumbers in the high tunnels are looking good. Carrot germination for the fall was poor, which we are mourning. But late summer, burning hot temperatures make carrot germination pretty tough, so thanks for understanding.
This week the Salad greens continue to abound, and our beloved Hearty Mix of greens returns, after quite the summer hiatus. Enjoy this mix raw (alone or mixed with a milder salad), steamed, sauteed, braised, or in a smoothie. It is versatile and flavorful.
Our other major product of this season is this baby growing in Janet’s belly. A number of you have been sweetly inquiring about the status of this belly and baby. (Thank you!) We likely have another 5 weeks or so until we get to meet this little one – an October birth is expected. Our market booth arrangement currently has Janet at Brandermill, and Dan at work on the farm on Saturdays, attempting to get the agriculture out of the house through progress on the barn. We promise an email/website/facebook/instagram update once we have this babe in our arms. Until then, cross your fingers for cool weather, hearty greens harvests, and good looking sweet potatoes to be unearthed. This baby wants a sweet potato pie soon after birth!
Shares are now available for Fall Farm Shares – you get in return a weekly share of vegetables for the months of October and November (9 weeks). Details and sign up on our website. Pick up is on Wednesday afternoons, and on-farm pick up is always the preferred location. Additional pick up options are in the works for Church Hill (at Central Montessori School), at a private home in the Wamsley/Hull/Newby’s bridge area (Creekwood Neighborhood), and at Glenmore Yoga & Wellness in the West End. If enough shares are purchased for a given location, we will make it a drop off/pick up spot. Learn more, spread the word, andsign up on the CSA page of our website.
Our farm is participating in the first annual Richmond farm tour weekend – 12 biological/organic farms are all on tour the same weekend: September 20-21, 1-6 pm both days. Hosted by the VABF and Ellwood Thompson’s, the event is still in need of volunteers to handle ticket taking/check in of tour goers at each farm. Volunteer one day and you get a free pass to tour farms the next day – plus you get to hobnob with some of your favorite farmers as part of behind-the-scenes event management. Learn all you need to know here, and sign up to volunteer (maybe even here at our farm? We’d love to have you help out.)

This Week’s Harvest:

Our Farm Share Bag (consisting of a farmers’ choice medley of produce, in one easy to order option), Arugula, Chard, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Hearty Mix, Okra, Peppers (jalapeno, padron), Salad mix, Summer Squash, Tomatoes (red slicers, paste, bulk options of seconds) …plus our Naturally Leavened Bread and Pepper Jelly.

~ Janet, Dan, and the rest of the Broadfork Crew

(Want to learn more about us? Visit us on Facebook or Instagram.)

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Recipe Suggestions: (always cataloged on our Recipe Page)
Roasted Garlic
Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
Ten Best Okra Recipes (from Southern Living)
Bell Pepper, Mango, & Onion Chicken (we suggest using our white onions…they are plenty sweet and delicious to sub for the red onion it calls for)
Roasted Summer Vegetables with Honey Glazed Sausage & Couscous

We continue at two farmers’ markets this Saturday: South of the James in Forest Hill Park, from 8am – 12pm, and the Brandermill Green Market in Market Square from 9am – 12pm.

2014 Market Share CSA Members: Choose your selection through our Online Ordering to order for pick up on Saturday at our farm, at the Brandermill Green Market , or at the South of the James Market in Forest Hill Park.

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VABF Richmond Farm Tour
Richmond Biological Farm Tour Weekend: September 20 & 21, 2014

Shake the Hands that Feed You!
Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21, 1 PM to 6 PM

We will be participating in this inaugural weekend of farm tours in the greater metro Richmond area. Load up your car with friends and family (one ticket covers everyone!) and head out for a day — or two — of meeting farmers and seeing where and how your food is grown. Learn more here and stay tuned for the complete list of farms on tour.