2022 CSA Farm Update: Week 11
Again, we were blessed with a few rain showers this week, but we are still in a designated D1 moderate drought. Most vegetable crops are shallow rooted plants that, among other requirements, need one inch of water per week to achieve the estimated yield. One inch of water over one acre of land measures 27,000 gallons of water. This volume of water can be achieved in several ways. We can work for several days moving around irrigation, hose, pipes, and reels. This amount of water can fall from the sky gradually over a day or it can fall in a torrential rain in less than half an hour. Rain is the simplest way, but when it does not arrive, we have to resort to our modest means of watering. Farmers whose main crops are grains or grass are having a very difficult time with the drought. Those acreages are so large, that irrigation is not feasible from a cost perspective. That is not to say that in other parts of the country or world very large acreages are not irrigated, but here in Columbia County it has rarely been needed. Sooner or later the drought will break, and we will all take a sigh of relief.
In the meantime, we are knee deep in tomato harvest here at the farm. Yields are very strong, and this will be reflected in this week’s share as we include plum tomatoes for the first time this season. Their hearty nature yields well to multiple uses, including salsa, tomato sauce, soup, drying, roasting, or even in a sandwich. Personally, this is the tomato that makes me want to grow tomatoes. When I think of the tomato traditions all over the world, the plum tomato is usually at the backbone of them all. Heirlooms are wonderful tomatoes with a nuanced flavor that cannot be surpassed, but a tomato that is your silent partner in the plethora of world cuisine is more often than not who is invited to my dinner table. We hope you enjoy them.
Until next time,
Farmer Jon
WEEKLY HARVEST INCLUDES*
*We try our best to provide the most accurate CSA list in the newsletter! However, there’s always a chance of last minute substitutions in some bags if we don’t harvest enough of a vegetable.
DELICIOUS RECIPES TO TRY
Capture some of the best flavors of summer with the recipes below:
To Drink
Turn your beets into drinks with a Sweet Mint Beet Cocktail or a Ginger Beet Juice
Or try this savory and spicy Bell Pepper Cocktail
To Eat
Sweet and salty combine in this recipe for Beet Poke
Put your tomatoes to good use and stay cool with a Traditional Gazpacho or a Chilled Cumin-Spiked Tomato Soup
Looking for something to snack on? Give our Grilled Red Pepper and Eggplant Spread a try or crunch on some Carrot Chips
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM
Share your recipes and dishes with us via email or on Instagram! Make sure to tag @katchkiefarm and use the hashtag #KatchkieFarmCSA - we can't wait to see and share what you've made!