July 6 Stearns Farm CSA News

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend with good food and plenty of sunshine. Our summer season is in full swing so let's see what's happening on the farm:

• See below for a list of what to expect in your share this week.

• As we enjoy the PYO crops, Ember explains the do's and dont's of harvesting them.

• The deadline to complete half the Summer Share work hours is fast approaching.

• Check out the sweet offerings now available to buy all season long!

• Whether you sear or stuff, these two recipes are bound to bring the flavors of summer.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead and see you next Monday. Stay healthy and happy!

In Your Share This Week

Classic Harvest take 11, Farmer’s Choice take 9: Radish/fennel choice, fresh garlic, kale/chard/collards choice, cucumbers, scallions, beans, peas, cabbage, bok choy, kohlrabi, parsley/basil choice, squash, head lettuce.

PYO: herbs (check for gold stars), 8 flower stems

Although the crops listed on this page represent what the farmer anticipates will be available this week, the vegetables you receive may be different due to weather conditions and other factors that affect production. For an overview of the ebb and flow of the harvest throughout the season, check out the Harvest Chart.

PYO Crops for Summer and Back-to-School CSA Sharers

Our Pick Your Own crops are a special and exciting feature of the Stearns CSA share. They give sharers the chance to spend some time at the farm while appreciating the meditative task of harvesting. We want to make it possible for everyone to have access to these crops, but there are several things to consider when welcoming sharers into the gardens and berry patches. Here are a few things to take note of when you arrive to pick up your share:

Reminder About Work Hours Deadline

If you purchased a Summer share this year, the deadline for completing half of your required work hours is coming up on Saturday, July 18. Classic Harvest Summer sharers are committed to working six hours throughout the season and Farmer’s Choice must complete four hours.

Maple Syrup and Honey Now Available During Pickup

We are excited to announce that we're now featuring a supply of local maple syrup and honey available for purchase throughout the entire season! You can pay with cash, check or card. To start, we will have maple syrup from Harms Family Farm and honey from our very own sharer, Arthur Johnson of Arthur’s Apiaries.

Eat Your Share

Honey and maple syrup sure are sweet and so are these Seared Sugar Snap Peas. The mint gives this side dish an unexpected edge. And whether you enjoy sailing or not, give these Taco Stuffed Summer Squash Boats a try. Just remember to wait half an hour before getting back in the water.

We look forward to discovering all your old and new favorites - so share them here to be included in our upcoming Stearns Farm cookbook.