August 8, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 lb Mixed Sweet Peppers

1 ½ lbs Heirloom Tomatoes

3 ears Sweet Corn

1 Charentais Melon

1 Charlyn Melon

1 lb Pickling Cucumbers

1 bskt Mini Charm Cherry Tomatoes

Special Orders

Pickling Cucumbers $20 for a 10 lb case

 Red Slicer or Early Girl Tomatoes $30 for a 20 lb case

The box and field notes will be on hold for a few weeks during our peak harvest time of the summer season. We hope you enjoy the bounty of summer and stay cool this week!

Riverdog Farm Pastured Pork and Chicken - Special Orders

Bacon: $14 per pound

Ham Steaks: $10 per pound

Sausage: $9 per pound

Pork Cuts: Contact the farm to place your order of chops ribs, pork bones roasts, ham hocks, or ham steaks. The prices on these cuts vary so we will email you the pricing when you place your order.

Chicken: $7 per pound

Bulk Discount Pork

Pork Sausage: A combination of sausage types including Breakfast, Bratwurst, Italian Mild and Italian Hot: 10 lbs for $80.

Pastured Pork Shares: Pre-packaged combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts $8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases.

Please email or call the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com 530-796-3802.

Riverdog Farm’s hogs are raised on an all certified-organic diet of pasture, grain (triticale) grown on the farm, corn/soy feed from Bar Ale, Three Twins Ice Cream, and whey from Cowgirl Creamery. The hogs are bred on farm with crosses of the following breeds: Duroc, Hampshire, European Wild Boar, Chester, and Tamworth. To see photos of the hogs in their element, visit our Hog Blog: riverdoghog.blogspot.com. The animals are certified-organic. The meat is not certified organic because it is processed in facilities that are not yet certified organic. We are working with our processors to get the facilities certified organic so we can label our meat as certified organic.

Save the Dates

A Day in the Country – Yolo Land Trust Benefit Event

Sunday September 11, 2016

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Barger Keasey Family Farm

36720 County Road 30 (west of CR 98)

www.theyololandtrust.org/DayinCountry.php

Farm to Fork Gala Dinner on the Tower Bridge in Sacramento

Sunday September 25, 2016

4:30 Appetizers

6:00 pm Dinner served family style

8:00 pm Dessert on the Promenade next to Embassy Suites

http://www.farmtofork.com/events/2016-tower-bridge-dinner/ticket-registration/

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

August 1, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 lb Gypsy Pepper

1 1/2 lb Mixed Heirloom Tomatoes and Early Girls

3 ears Sweet Corn*

1 Orange Honeydew Melon**

1 Cantaloupe

1 lb Carrots

2 Armenian Cucumbers

Special Orders

Pickling Cucumbers $20 for a 10 lb case

Red Slicer or Early Girl Tomatoes $30 for a 20 lb case

The box and field notes will be on hold for a few weeks during our peak harvest time of the summer season. We hope you enjoy the bounty of summer and stay cool this week!

Riverdog Farm Pastured Pork – Special Orders

Bacon: $14 per pound

Ham Steaks: $10 per pound

Sausage: $9 per pound

Pork Cuts: Contact the farm to place your order of chops ribs, pork bones roasts, ham hocks, or ham steaks. The prices on these cuts vary so we will email you the pricing when you place your order.

Bulk Discount Pork

Pork Sausage: A combination of sausage types including Breakfast, Bratwurst, Italian Mild and Italian Hot: 10 lbs for $80.

Pastured Pork Shares: Pre-packaged combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts $8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases.

Please email or call the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com 530-796-3802.

Riverdog Farm’s hogs are raised on an all certified-organic diet of pasture, grain (triticale) grown on the farm, corn/soy feed from Bar Ale, Three Twins Ice Cream, and whey from Cowgirl Creamery. The hogs are bred on farm with crosses of the following breeds: Duroc, Hampshire, European Wild Boar, Chester, and Tamworth. To see photos of the hogs in their element, visit our Hog Blog: riverdoghog.blogspot.com. The animals are certified-organic. The meat is not certified organic because it is processed in facilities that are not yet certified organic. We are working with our processors to get the facilities certified organic so we can label our meat as certified organic.

Save the Dates

A Day in the Country – Yolo Land Trust Benefit Event

Sunday September 11, 2016

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Barger Keasey Family Farm

36720 County Road 30 (west of CR 98)

www.theyololandtrust.org/DayinCountry.php

Farm to Fork Gala Dinner

Sunday September 25, 2016

4:30 Appetizers

6:00 pm Dinner served family style

8:00 pm Dessert on the Promenade next to Embassy Suites

http://www.farmtofork.com/events/2016-tower-bridge-dinner/ticket-registration/

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

*Please note that it is a challenge to prevent corn worm while using sustainable practices to grow organic corn. If you happen to come across a corn worm, discard the worm (or add it to your compost pile!) and remove the affected section of the ear before using. 

**Please note that due to the recent extreme heat some of the orange honeydew melons will contain some sunburn. The discoloration is only cosmetic. Inside, the melon is still sweet and juicy as ever. 

July 25, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 Charentais Melon

1 lb Red Tomatoes

¾ lb Green Beans

1 bskt Indigo Cherry Tomatoes

2 Slicing Cucumbers

3 each Sweet Corn

1 Cantaloupe

Special Orders

Pickling Cucumbers $20 for a 10 lb case

The box and field notes will be on hold for a few weeks during our peak harvest time of the summer season. We hope you enjoy the bounty of summer and stay cool this week!

Riverdog Farm Pastured Pork – Special Orders

Bacon: $14 per pound

Ham Steaks: $10 per pound

Sausage: $9 per pound

Pork Cuts: Contact the farm to place your order of chops ribs, pork bones roasts, ham hocks, or ham steaks. The prices on these cuts vary so we will email you the pricing when you place your order.

Bulk Discount Pork

Pork Sausage: A combination of sausage types including Breakfast, Bratwurst, Italian Mild and Italian Hot: 10 lbs for $80.

Pastured Pork Shares: Pre-packaged combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts $8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases.

Please email or call the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com 530-796-3802.

Riverdog Farm’s hogs are raised on an all certified-organic diet of pasture, grain (triticale) grown on the farm, corn/soy feed from Bar Ale, Three Twins Ice Cream, and whey from Cowgirl Creamery. The hogs are bred on farm with crosses of the following breeds: Duroc, Hampshire, European Wild Boar, Chester, and Tamworth. To see photos of the hogs in their element, visit our Hog Blog: riverdoghog.blogspot.com. The animals are certified-organic. The meat is not certified organic because it is processed in facilities that are not yet certified organic. We are working with our processors to get the facilities certified organic so we can label our meat as certified organic.

Save the Dates

A Day in the Country – Yolo Land Trust Benefit Event

Sunday September 11, 2016

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Barger Keasey Family Farm

36720 County Road 30 (west of CR 98)

www.theyololandtrust.org/DayinCountry.php

Farm to Fork Gala Dinner

Sunday September 25, 2016

4:30 Appetizers

6:00 pm Dinner served family style

8:00 pm Dessert on the Promenade next to Embassy Suites

http://www.farmtofork.com/events/2016-tower-bridge-dinner/ticket-registration/

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

July 18, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 bskt Sweet 100 Cherry Tomatoes

1 lb Heirloom and Early Girls Tomatoes

¾ lb Green Beans

.8 lbs Summer Squash

2 each Cucumbers

3 ears Sweet Corn

1 Cantaloupe

Special Orders

Pickling Cucumbers $20 / 10 lb

Riverdog Farm Pastured Pork – Special Orders

Bacon: $14 per pound

Ham Steaks: $10 per pound

Sausage: $9 per pound

Pork Cuts: Contact the farm to place your order of chops ribs, pork bones roasts, ham hocks, or ham steaks. The prices on these cuts vary so we will email you the pricing when you place your order.

Bulk Discount Pork

Pork Sausage: A combination of sausage types including Breakfast, Bratwurst, Italian Mild and Italian Hot: 10 lbs for $80.

Pastured Pork Shares: Pre-packaged combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts $8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases.

Please email or call the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com 530-796-3802.

Riverdog Farm’s hogs are raised on an all certified-organic diet of pasture, grain (triticale) grown on the farm, corn/soy feed from Bar Ale, Three Twins Ice Cream, and whey from Cowgirl Creamery. The hogs are bred on farm with crosses of the following breeds: Duroc, Hampshire, European Wild Boar, Chester, and Tamworth. To see photos of the hogs in their element, visit our Hog Blog: riverdoghog.blogspot.com. The animals are certified-organic. The meat is not certified organic because it is processed in facilities that are not yet certified organic. We are working with our processors to get the facilities certified organic so we can label our meat as certified organic.

Save the Dates

A Day in the Country – Yolo Land Trust Benefit Event

Sunday September 11, 2016

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Barger Keasey Family Farm

36720 County Road 30 (west of CR 98)

www.theyololandtrust.org/DayinCountry.php

Farm to Fork Gala Dinner

Sunday September 25, 2016

4:30 Appetizers

6:00 pm Dinner served family style

8:00 pm Dessert on the Promenade next to Embassy Suites

http://www.farmtofork.com/events/2016-tower-bridge-dinner/ticket-registration/

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

July 11, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 bskt Mixed Medley Cherry Tomatoes

1 lb Mixed Heirloom and Early Girl Tomatoes

¾ lb Green Beans

1 bu Carrots

2 Armenian Cucumbers

1 lb French Fingerling Potatoes

2/3 lb Green Zucchini

Special Orders

Pickling Cucumbers $20 / 10 lb

Box Notes

The ripe tomatoes have landed with a bang! Our target date for the first harvest is early July; they are right on time! We grow a rainbow of tomato varieties. Some of our favorites include: Brandywine, Hawaiian Pineapple, and Red Zebra. Early Girls are, of course, an all-time favorite known for their sweet, salty, juicy flavor. They are a hybrid type rather than an open-pollinated variety. The heirlooms types are all open-pollinated meaning that their seeds can be saved to plant tomatoes that will be genetically similar to the parent seed. Because Riverdog Farm is certified organic, the seed we buy cannot be genetically modified. To learn about the difference between GMO and hybrid seeds visit: http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/hybrid-seeds-vs-gmos.

Bacon: $14 per pound

Ham Steaks: $10 per pound

Sausage: $9 per pound

Pork Cuts: Contact the farm to place your order of chops ribs, pork bones roasts, ham hocks, or ham steaks. The prices on these cuts vary so we will email you the pricing when you place your order.

Bulk Discount Pork

Pork Sausage: A combination of sausage types including Breakfast, Bratwurst, Italian Mild and Italian Hot: 10 lbs for $80.

Pastured Pork Shares: Pre-packaged combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts $8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases.

Please email or call the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com 530-796-3802.

Riverdog Farm’s hogs are raised on an all certified-organic diet of pasture, grain (triticale) grown on the farm, corn/soy feed from Bar Ale, Three Twins Ice Cream, and whey from Cowgirl Creamery. The hogs are bred on farm with crosses of the following breeds: Duroc, Hampshire, European Wild Boar, Chester, and Tamworth. To see photos of the hogs in their element, visit our Hog Blog: riverdoghog.blogspot.com. The animals are certified-organic. The meat is not certified organic because it is processed in facilities that are not yet certified organic. We are working with our processors to get the facilities certified organic so we can label our meat as certified organic.

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

July 4, 2016 Veggie Box News

 Box Contents

1 lb Mixed Summer Squash

1 bskt Gold Nugget Cherry Tomatoes

3/4 lb Mixed Early Girl and Orange Blossom Tomatoes

1 pc Armenian Cucumbers

1 bu Carrots

1 hd Red Cabbage

½ lb Green Beans

1 bu Basil1 bu Curly Kale

Special Orders

2nds June Pride Peaches $25 / 10 lb

Pickling Cucumbers $20 / 10 lb

Pastured Pork Shares: A combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts

$8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases Please email the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com

Box Notes

The first cucumbers have arrived! They are a mild variety called Armenian. They can be eaten with the skin on. Use them in lettuce salads sliced as rounds with grated carrots, on their own with salt/pepper/lemon, or thinly sliced lengthwise, shaved slices (use a peeler) with a sesame dressing, see recipe below.

Also new this week: the first big tomatoes! This week's box includes either Early Girl or Orange Blossom or a combination of the two. The week of July 4th usually marks the beginning of the bigger tomato season. Soon we will be featuring a rainbow of tomato varieties, the mixed heirloom combination that Riverdog Farm has become known for. Twenty-six years ago, we started farming our first tomatoes on a 1/2 acre plot in Rutherford, CA. Now, more than two decades later, we grow over 100 tomato varieties on 20 acres.    

Field Notes

Last week's heat wave made field work difficult. Luckily, the harvest crews were able to finish early to avoid the outdoors during the hottest time of day between 2 pm and 5 pm. Depending on where you were in the valley, the highest temperatures ranged between 106 and 110. This week is suppose to be cooler with high temperatures peaking around 100 degrees. In the greenhouses, we have replaced the plastic with shade cloth and have begun to seed the fall crops including: bunching greens, cabbage, fennel, broccoli, and cauliflower.

We are pleased to be invited to participate in Sacramento's annual Farm to Fork feast that will be held Sunday September 25, 2016. Riverdog Farm's pastured chicken or pork will be featured on the menu for the meal that celebrates the agricultural richness of the Sacramento region. The event is an 800 person sit-down dinner on the Tower Bridge over the Sacramento River. For ticket information, visit: farmtofork.com. Tickets sell out within minutes of the ticket sales going live so follow the website closely to learn more about the event. The dinner ticket proceeds fund the free Farm-to-Fork Festival and other related program events throughout the year that highlight the abundance of food production in the greater Sacramento area. 

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

June 27, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 lb Zucchini

1 bu Carrots

1 lb Santa Rosa Plums

1 bskt Gold Nugget Tomatoes

½ lb Green Beans

1 lb June Pride Peaches

½ lb Salanova or Batavia Lettuce

¾ lb Bok Choi

Special Orders

10 lbs Orange Nantes Carrots $12/10 lb bag

Pastured Pork Shares: A combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts

$8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases Please email the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com

Box Notes

Green Beans are making their first appearance this week! The first of the green beans are always the best, tender, fast-cooking and so flavorful!

A great way to enjoy the new green beans and spring potatoes is to combine them in a Salad Nicoise. Here is a link to a recipe that features the beans, spuds, and hard-boiled eggs: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/salade-nicoise-15533

More Special Orders:

Available starting the week June 27, 2016:

2nds June Pride Peaches 10 lbs for $25

They are great for canning, jamming, or freezing for smoothies.

Pickling Cucumbers 10 lb case for $20

Please place your orders for add-on items by Monday morning prior to your delivery. You may call or email the farm to place your special orders: 530-796-3802, csa@riverdogfarm.com.

Summer Sausage Special:

10 lb case of Assorted Sausages for $80. The case includes 8-10 packages of 4 sausage types: Bratwurst, Breakfast, Mild Italian and Hot Italian. The sausages are made with Riverdog Farm pastured pork, processed at our local butcher shop Manas Custom Meats in Esparto. Please email the farm by Monday to place your order for the week csa@riverdogfarm.com.

Field Notes

It’s a scorcher this week! Today, Monday is expected to be 106 degrees! We will finish the harvest day early to avoid the hottest time of the day which happens between 3 pm and 5 pm. Over the weekend, there was a 277 acre grassland fire in Brooks, about 5 miles south of the farm.  It is 100% contained. CalFire took about 24 hours to put out the fire.

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

June 20, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 lb Santa Rosa Plums

1 bu Nantes Carrots

1 lb Yukon Gold Potatoes

1 bskt Cherry Tomatoes

1 hd Red Cabbage

2 hds Batavia Lettuce

1 lb June Pride Peaches

Special Orders

10 lbs Orange Nantes Carrots $12/10 lb bag

Pastured Pork Shares: a combo of bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts

$8 per lb 10-15 lb pre-packed cases Please email the farm to place your order: csa@riverdogfarm.com

Box Notes

The stone fruit at Riverdog Farm is coming in strong! From apricots, to plums, to peaches, it’s time for fruit lovers to indulge in the juicy sweetness of summertime. The long, mild spring helped the fruit ripen slowly and evenly. Our fruit set this year, the number of apricots, plums, and peaches on each tree, has been great!

Fruit can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner: as a yogurt topping, solo as a refreshing snack, or after dinner for dessert. We’ve included two dessert recipes featuring stone fruit below. Then in early July, the melons – cantaloupes, Charentais, and watermelon- will begin. Green beans will begin in late June or early July. The summer squash and potato harvest continue.

Available starting the week June 27, 2016:

2nds June Pride Peaches 10 lbs for $25

They are great for canning, jamming, or freezing for smoothies.

Pickling Cucumbers 10 lb case for $20

Please place your orders for add-on items by Monday morning prior to your delivery. You may call or email the farm to place your special orders: 530-796-3802, csa@riverdogfarm.com.

Field Notes

This is the time of year when high school students, many of whom are children of Riverdog Farm employees, apply to work at the farm for the summer. We hire about 5 high schoolers to work at the farm each year. They usually help with the cherry tomato harvest. For many, this is their first work experience. The full-time harvest crew appreciates the extra hands during our busiest season.

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

June 13, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1 lb Royal Blenheim Apricots

1 bu Nantes Carrots

1 bu Basil

1 lb Summer Squash

1-2 hd Batavia Lettuce

1 bu Red Beets

1 bskt Gold Nugget Cherry Tomatoes

Special Orders

10 lbs Orange Nantes Carrots $12/10 lb bag

Pastured Pork: bacon, sausage, ham and pork cuts

 Please email the farm to place your order:csa@riverdogfarm.com

Box Notes

The first of the cherry tomatoes have arrived! Our earliest variety is Gold Nugget. It is a fast maturing tomato plant. We purchase the seed from one of our favorite seed companies, a worker-owned business based in Maine called Johnny’s Selected Seeds. According to Johnny’s, the gold nugget cherry tomato “flavor is well-balanced and delicious, and a majority of the early fruits are seedless. Healthy, compact plants with a concentrated early set. Developed by Dr. James Baggett, Oregon State Univ.”

Soon to follow in the cherry tomato department will be Sun Gold, Mini-Charm, and Sweet 100. What starts as a handful of baskets of cherry tomatoes quickly cascades into hundreds of thousands of juicy refreshing gems. We grow over 20 varieties of cherry tomatoes so that we can create a mixed medley (many colors of cherry tomatoes in one basket) that sells well and farmer’s market and to our wholesale buyers.

As a certified-organic farm all the seed we source must be untreated. A treated seed has a glow-in-the-dark fuchsia-colored fungicide coating that is not allowed on organic farms. We are also required to source organic seeds when available. The certified organic seed is more expensive than non-organic seed. This means that the farm spends a little more money on certified organic seed, creating a higher expense annually. Part of why organic food costs more is because of expenses such as these along with the higher labor costs to manually harvest the produce instead of mechanically harvesting the crops. Thank you for supporting Riverdog Farm by subscribing to the CSA and for your dedication to organic farming practices!

Field Notes

Ahhh!! It has been ten degrees cooler recently. Both last week and this week feel wonderful compared to the scorching days earlier this month. We are hoping for continue cooler weather but know any day now the temperatures will sky rocket once again as they do every summer.

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

April 25, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1. 1 bu Asparagus

2. 1 bu Purple Carrots

3. 1 bu Orange Carrots

4. 1 bu Red Bor Kale

5. ¾ lb Little Gem Lettuce

6. 1 hd Bok Choi

7. ½ lb Arugula

8. 1 bu Green Garlic

Box Notes

 

The Little Gem Lettuce is back! This is a mini version of romaine lettuce. Rinse well in a water bath to remove any soil grit and allow to dry on a towel face down with some patting to remove any remaining water droplets, slice lengthwise to form halves. Place the halves face up in a circle on a plate then drizzle with olive oil and a pomegranate or elderberry vinegar. Add sliced avocadoes a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper. Grate Parmesan cheese over all. This is an incredibly tasty salad that can be a stand-alone meal or a side dish to a scrumptious dinner.

 

Field Notes

Capay Valley Garden Tour

Sunday May 8, 2016

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit the breathtaking gardens of the Capay Valley! Come join in the delight of spring flowers, strolling through many of the Valleys’ finest gardens. Talk to the gardeners themselves and learn the secrets of their success. New gardens have been added this year as well as several points of interest along the drive though the valley. Many of the gardens are also showcases for agricultural production in the Capay Valley. You are welcome to picnic in the gardens – delicious box lunches will be for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants will be for sale at the Grange Hall. Proceeds from the tour support the enhancement of local parks and the new landscaping plan for the Guinda Grange Hall, a century-old community-gathering place. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.capayvalleygardentour.com/

 

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

 

 

 

 

April 18th, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1. 1 bu Asparagus

2. ½ lb Red/Green Salanova Lettuce

3. 1 bu Red Beets

4. 1 bu Purple Carrots

5. 1 bu Dino Kale

6. 2/3 lb Mei Qing Choi

7. ½ lb Yellow Carrots

8. 1 lb Shelling English Peas

Box Notes

New this week: the Salanova Lettuce variety!

For details on the characteristics of this tasty lettuce variety, visit: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/salanova-the-ultimate-efficiency-lettuce/2011/03/15/AB4pQ5JB_story.html. And for the gardeners out there, visit www.johnnyseeds.com. This is one of our primary sources for seeds. They have a sizeable selection of certified organic seeds.

Field Notes

Today (Monday 4/18/16) it’s 90 degrees! We’re experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures this week which is great news for the tomato, eggplant and pepper growing conditions but it shortens our season for the bunched greens, lettuce, and the cooler weather crops including cabbage, beets, and carrots.

Capay Valley Garden Tour

Sunday May 8, 2016

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit the breathtaking gardens of the Capay Valley! Come join in the delight of spring flowers, strolling through many of the Valleys’ finest gardens. Talk to the gardeners themselves and learn the secrets of their success. New gardens have been added this year as well as several points of interest along the drive though the valley. Many of the gardens are also showcases for agricultural production in the Capay Valley. You are welcome to picnic in the gardens – delicious box lunches will be for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants will be for sale at the Grange Hall. Proceeds from the tour support the enhancement of local parks and the new landscaping plan for the Guinda Grange Hall, a century-old community-gathering place. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.capayvalleygardentour.com/

 

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

 

 

 

 

April 4 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1. 1 bu Asparagus

2. 1 lb Leeks

3. 1 lb loose Carrots

4. 1 bu Gold Chard

5. 1 hd Fennel

6. 1 bu Red Beets

7. ½ lb Arugula

8. ½ lb Snow Peas

 

Box Notes

The essence of springtime is in your veggie box this week. Here are some links to recipes using fennel, arugula and chard:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/216460/arugula-fennel-salad/.

http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-riff-golden-beet-and-ba-88567.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/arugula-salad-with-lemon-parmesan-dressing-352111.

Snow peas are here! They are great raw on their own or in salads but can also be steamed, stir-fried or sautéed.

Field Notes

Tomato transplanting continues this week. This year, we are planting about 20 acres of tomatoes. There are 5 tomato plantings, in sequence so we can harvest them perpetually throughout the summer from July until mid November. We grow about 50 tomato varieties including about 20 cherry tomatoes, 20 heirloom tomatoes, and about 10 different hybrid types. 

Capay Valley Garden Tour

May 8, 2016

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit the breathtaking gardens of the Capay Valley! Come join in the delight of spring flowers, strolling through many of the Valleys’ finest gardens. Talk to the gardeners themselves and learn the secrets of their success. New gardens have been added this year as well as several points of interest along the drive though the valley. Many of the gardens are also showcases for agricultural production in the Capay Valley. You are welcome to picnic in the gardens – delicious box lunches will be for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants will be for sale at the Grange Hall. Proceeds from the tour support the enhancement of local parks and the new landscaping plan for the Guinda Grange Hall, a century-old community-gathering place. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.capayvalleygardentour.com/

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

1.  

March 28, 2016 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1. 1 bu Asparagus

2. 1 lb Leeks

3. 1 lb Yellow Potatoes

4. 1 lb Rainbow Chard

5. 1 bu Yellow Carrots

6. 1 bu Green Garlic

7. 1 bu Red Dandelion

8. 1 lb Black Spanish Radish

Box Notes

We will include asparagus in the veggie boxes for a couple more weeks, depending on the weather. We hope you’re enjoying this prolific asparagus season! The yellow carrot variety is more of a cooking carrot than a raw-eating carrot. It has more of an earthy flavor with lower levels of sugar than the orange Nantes variety we grow. Tomato plants go from the greenhouses into the field starting this week!

Field Notes

The 100-mile region just outside the backdoor of the farm along the western mountain range was recently designated a National Monument by President Obama. To learn more about the designation and how to access its wonders visit the monument’s website and the guide:

http://berryessasnowmountain.org

http://berryessasnowmountain.org/images/stories/visit%20bsn%20nm.pdf

This time of year, because of the recent rains, is the most visually stimulating in the realm of wildflower and vista sightseeing. The air is clean and the wildflowers are abundant. You can also visit www.yolohiker.org to learn about specific trails and view topographical maps.

Capay Valley Garden Tour

May 8, 2016

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit the breathtaking gardens of the Capay Valley! Come join in the delight of spring flowers, strolling through many of the Valleys’ finest gardens. Talk to the gardeners themselves and learn the secrets of their success. New gardens have been added this year as well as several points of interest along the drive though the valley. Many of the gardens are also showcases for agricultural production in the Capay Valley. You are welcome to picnic in the gardens – delicious box lunches will be for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants will be for sale at the Grange Hall. Proceeds from the tour support the enhancement of local parks and the new landscaping plan for the Guinda Grange Hall, a century-old community-gathering place. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.capayvalleygardentour.com/

Save the Date

Hoes Down Harvest Festival

Saturday October 1, 2016

11:00 am to 11:00 pm

For tickets and volunteer work shift info, please visit: www.hoesdown.org.

March 21 Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1. 1 lb Navel Oranges

2. 1 bu Asparagus

3. ½ lb Baby Lettuces

4. 1 bu Red Beets

5. 1 hd Fennel

6. 1 bu Purple Carrots

7. 1 lb Leeks

8. ¾ lb Golden Turnips

Box Notes

The oranges are from Blue Heron Farm in Rumsey and are CCOF-certified organic. Asparagus season is at its peak. The intermittent rainfall is giving the asparagus just the right amount of water to keep those spears poking through the soil. They grow about 6 inches in one 24-hour period! Asparagus takes 3 years to establish and lasts for 15 years, expanding its underground network of rhizomes to yield more spears (and give the plant more energy for regeneration) each year.  The leeks are winding down as the peas - shelling, snap and snow - are revving up. By the end of the week, the temperatures will be close to 80 degrees. I included several soup recipes in this week’s newsletter to enjoy while it’s still a little cooler. 

Field Notes

Happy Spring Equinox! March 20, 2016 was one of two days in the year when the daylight and nighttime length are equal. This day is also known as the Vernal Equinox. It certainly feels like spring with full reservoirs, water releases from Clear Lake, a full Cache Creek, the continued rainfall and the explosion of wildflowers in the hills. Bear Valley, about 45 minutes north of Guinda, is a remote region with a spectacular display of wildflowers. Burrowing owls have a lot of habitat in Bear Valley so it is also a great location for viewing the shy owls. Bear Valley is located off of Hwy 20 in Colusa County along the Bear Valley Road. You travel about 14 miles on Bear Valley Road once you’ve turned north off of Hwy 20.  The fall equinox will happen on September 22, 2106.

Capay Valley Garden Tour

May 8, 2016

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit the breathtaking gardens of the Capay Valley! Come join in the delight of spring flowers, strolling through many of the Valleys’ finest gardens. Talk to the gardeners themselves and learn the secrets of their success. New gardens have been added this year as well as several points of interest along the drive though the valley. Many of the gardens are also showcases for agricultural production in the Capay Valley. You are welcome to picnic in the gardens – delicious box lunches will be for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants will be for sale at the Grange Hall. Proceeds from the tour support the enhancement of local parks and the new landscaping plan for the Guinda Grange Hall, a century-old community gathering place. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.capayvalleygardentour.com/

March 14th Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1. 2 lbs Blue Heron Oranges

2. 1 bu Asparagus

3. 1 bu Green Garlic

4. 1 bu Rainbow Chard

5. 1 bu Purple Carrots

6. 1 bu Red Dandelion

7. 1 bu Red Spring Onions

Box Notes

The oranges are from Blue Heron Farm in Rumsey and are CCOF-certified organic. The green garlic shanks are sizing up nicely. Soon, the beginning of the bulbs will begin to divide, forming the individual cloves. By mid-June the garlic (along with the onions) will be dry, ready to harvest and will cure for a few days, post-harvest, allowing the leaves to shrivel up and easily break off the bulb to store for sale at the farmers market and in the veggie boxes throughout the summer months. Here is a link to many recipes featuring dandelion greens: http://www.thekitchn.com/10-ways-to-use-those-dandelions-recipes-from-the-kitchn-188774

 

Field Notes

The rain continued through Sunday March 13, 2016. This storm front has brought over 6 inches of rain to our region in about one week! Clear Lake, the primary source of water for Cache Creek (along with the watershed along the way), has begun to release water into Cache Creek because the lake is so full. The surface water availability for 2016 is looking good, much better than the last two years of drought. As soon as there is a dry window, the tomato starts currently filling the greenhouse will go into the fields. We expect the first cherry tomato harvest to begin in early July.

A Beautiful Way to Spend Mother's Day!

May 8, 2016

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit the breathtaking gardens of the Capay Valley! Come join in the delight of spring flowers, strolling through many of the Valleys’ finest gardens. Talk to the gardeners themselves and learn the secrets of their success. New gardens have been added this year as well as several points of interest along the drive though the valley. Many of the gardens are also showcases for agricultural production in the Capay Valley. You are welcome to picnic in the gardens – delicious box lunches will be for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants will be for sale at the Grange Hall. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.capayvalleygardentour.com/

March 7th Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1. 2 lbs Blue Heron Oranges
2. 1 bu Asparagus
3. 2 hds Batavia Crisp Lettuce
4. 1 bu Red Beets
5. 1 hd Red Cabbage
6. 1 lb Leeks
7. 1 bu Gold Chard

 Box Notes

The oranges are from Blue Heron Farm in Rumsey and are CCOF-certified organic. The green garlic shanks are sizing up nicely. Soon, the beginning of the bulbs will begin to divide, forming the individual cloves. By mid-June the garlic (along with the onions) will be dry, ready to harvest and will cure for a few days, post-harvest, allowing the leaves to shrivel up and easily break off the bulb to store for sale at the farmers market and in the veggie boxes throughout the summer months. Here is a link to many recipes featuring dandelion greens: http://www.thekitchn.com/10-ways-to-use-those-dandelions-recipes-from-the-kitchn-188774

 

Field Notes

The rain continued through Sunday March 13, 2016. This storm front has brought over 6 inches of rain to our region in about one week! Clear Lake, the primary source of water for Cache Creek (along with the watershed along the way), has begun to release water into Cache Creek because the lake is so full. The surface water availability for 2016 is looking good, much better than the last two years of drought. As soon as there is a dry window, the tomato starts currently filling the greenhouse will go into the fields. We expect the first cherry tomato harvest to begin in early July.

A Beautiful Way to Spend Mother's Day!

May 8, 2016

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit the breathtaking gardens of the Capay Valley! Come join in the delight of spring flowers, strolling through many of the Valleys’ finest gardens. Talk to the gardeners themselves and learn the secrets of their success. New gardens have been added this year as well as several points of interest along the drive though the valley. Many of the gardens are also showcases for agricultural production in the Capay Valley. You are welcome to picnic in the gardens – delicious box lunches will be for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants will be for sale at the Grange Hall. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.capayvalleygardentour.com/

February 29th Veggie Box News

Box Contents

1.  2 lbs Blue Heron Oranges

2. 1 bu Green Garlic

3. 1 hd Fennel

4. 1 pc Butternut

5. 1 bu Green Dandelion

6. 1 lb Leeks

7. 1 bu Rainbow Chard

8. ½ lb Braising Mix

Box Notes

The oranges are from Blue Heron Farm in Rumsey and are CCOF-certified organic. Leek season is almost over, there are only a few weeks left so enjoy them while they’re here! As a member of the allium plant family, leeks can be used anywhere you would use onions and garlic. They impart a subtle, delicious flavor to most savory dishes including roasts, frittatas, soups, pizza, and veggie sautés.

 

Field Notes

During this dry spell, we are planting like crazy. Last week, we transplanted kale, cabbage, and fennel yet the greenhouse is now filled again with beautiful tomato starts in varying stages of growth! This week we’ll transplant chard and the second round of onions. On Saturday, we planted the potatoes. The stone fruit orchards are in varying stages of bloom. The June Pride peaches are in full bloom this week, loaded with pink blossoms drawing the attention of the busy pollinating bees. This week we hope to seed safflower that we grow as a feed crop for our pastured chickens and pigs.

In addition to growing the grain for livestock feed, we’ve been selling some of our grain crop to a new mill in the valley called Capay Mills. Capay Mills turns the whole grain into flour and sells it to a bakery called Pain located in San Mateo. It’s the best freshly baked bread around! To learn more about the bakery and the mill visit: http://www.painbakery.com/ and http://www.capaymills.com/#capay-mills. This year, the Capay Mills will be growing some flint corn to mill into polenta. We’re looking forward to tasting the polenta! The freshly ground grain (mainly ancient varieties of wheat) is available at Bi-Rite, the Davis Food Co-op and at the Temescal Farmers’ Market in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland.

Our local Almond Festival event drew thousands of visitors! At the historic Rumsey Hall in the northern most hamlet of the valley, we sold out of pulled pork sliders and wood-fired pizzas by 2 pm. We’ll plan to feed more next year as this is the community hall’s biggest fundraiser of the year, bringing in over $12,000 to support the hall and the community events that have been happening there since 1903.