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CSA Newsletters

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July 4, 2011 Newsletter

Crop Talk

CSA & Fan of the Farm Newsletter      		July 4, 2011

 Fun Food Fact

Herb Drying  

 

The new garden by the Farm Market is growing so well and this is a great week to start clipping herbs and drying them for use all winter long.  No need to purchase expensive herbs!

 

We have Basil, Chives, Mint, and Dill ready for clipping.  Bring some sandwich baggies to take some home.  If you have counter space you can lay them out on paper towels to dry and then store in baggies or glass jars in cool dark spaces to retain maximum flavor.  If you don't have counter space for drying, simply place the herbs between 2 paper towels and microwave in  30 second intervals turning and replacing  paper towels as needed. 

Fan News  
Blueberries are $4/lb.

 

Just a reminder, members must check in at the store BEFORE getting on the hayride. 

HAY RIDE SCHEDULE  
1st hayride leaves at 9:15
The following is the standing schedule:
TOP of every hour
10:00
11:00
NOON
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
LAST hayride leaves promptly at 5:00.

 

If you are NOT on the hayride when it leaves, you will have to wait until the top of the next hour. 

 Quick Links

Join us on facebook this season as the fastest way to find out about what's going on at the farm; for regular u-pick updates throughout the week; and for recipe sharing. 
Link to the Great Country Farms Fan page on FACEBOOK
Connect with us on Facebook!
 
Follow Great Country Farms via Twitter/thefarmersays 

Great Country Farms Sunflower Logo

18780 Foggy Bottom Road

Bluemont, VA 20135

540-554-2073

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Jumping Pillow Update!  As many of you alreay know, our Jumping Pillow suddenly popped on one end on 6/26/2011.  We talked to the manufacturer and they said replacement is the only repair option and are expediting the manufacture of a new one for us.  It will be installed within 2 weeks and we hope to have you all jumping again soon!


A word from the Farmer~

 

On this our nation's birthday, we are humbled as we recall the actions of the brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence and set the course to start this great nation.   Many were farmers here in Virginia and we are so blessed to be able to continue this farming tradition. Famer's Mark and Kate purchased this fallow farm18 years ago with the support of a few CSA members.  We thank you all for being part of our farming community over the years and supporting and enabling our family to continue to farm and preserve this land.

 

The farm is closed today and we hope you will enjoy this day with your family and friends.

 

We were so thrilled to receive measurable rain last night for the first time in 2 weeks.  The irrigation pumps have been cranking and keeping the crops moist.  We use drip irrigation systems which deliver water directly to the plants in the rows,  but there is nothing like a soaking rain that reaches the entire field.   

 

Bounty and Blessings,

The Zurschmeide Family

 

At the Farm and On the Road~

 

 CSA~ 4th of July deliveries will be delivered on Tuesday July 5th. No other deliveries will be affected by the holiday. 

The farm is closed on the 4th!

 

 Week 5 CSA boxes include a taste of summer! 

  • Summer Squash
  • Broccoli
  • Plums~ Shiro Variety
  • Peaches
  • Beets (Not Greens)
  • Herb- Savory (also known as Sorrel) 

UPick bonus for 7/4-7/11:

Blueberries 1 pint/ half share 2 pints/full 

Zinnias~5 flowers/ half share (a nice bud vase full)

Herbs for the kitchen:

6 stems mint/half share (a must for your iced tea and mojitos!)

Chives~ 1 baggie

Basil ~ 5 stems

Dill & dill flowers~ 5 stems

 

** It may sound a bit silly to have to ask, but we ask that uPick items be paid for BEFORE they are placed in your car! We are glad to hold items in our air conditioned market when picking is in multiple locations on the farm.

 

For Your Safety~ Hayride to the fields

We would like to clarify our policy for u-picking as there has been some confusion this week about walking to the fields.  For safety and liability purposes, it is essential that we know where guests are on our over 200 acres of farmland.  When storms come up, we must be ablet to evacuate fields quickly.  We also need to ensure that the correct fields are being picked in and that guests don't pick items that are being planned for CSA delivery to allow for the maximum growth potential of our crops. Our hayride drivers can give you tips on where the best picking is and will ensure that you are in the proper spot.  We appreciate your understanding and support of this process so that we may continue to offer u-pick on the farm.

 

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