Gift Economies on the Farm
It’s full-on fruit time on the farm! Alongside harvesting, eating and sharing berries, I have also been listening to a book called The Service Berry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World written by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The author is a mother, scientist, professor and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This book invites the reader/ listener into the gift economy. In this book, “serviceberries show us another model, one based on reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships.” Gift...
read moreShare-ing the Inspiration
I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for cooking inspiration during the week to keep my meals fresh and interesting. It’s easy to get in a rut and feel intimidated by all the produce in the fridge, staring you down while you struggle to know what to do with it. The beauty of a weekly veggie share is that it can inspire us to try new dishes, cooking techniques and flavor combos! Here’s how this week’s share inspires me: Raspberries are obviously prime for snacking, but with three half-pints, why not transform those tasty...
read moreFruits of Summer
Fruit season is upon us! Although most of our produce is referred to as vegetables, a lot of the bounty of this time of year comes from the fruiting part of the plant. In fact, “vegetable” isn’t a biological term – biologists say that plants have roots, shoots, flowers, and fruits. The fruit is the mature, ripened ovary of a plant that develops from the flower after being pollinated. The seeds develop within the fruit after fertilization. In your share this week you’ll find some surprising fruits – zucchini, beans, and raspberries. We harvest...
read moreAbundance in All
Kyla offers the above drawing of this week’s CSA share as a coloring page, which you can download here! In these golden valleysthe days have arrived,when the sun illuminates the worldlong before I open my eyes. When the air is filled with promisesof abundance in all things;the fruit hangs low,and the birds live to sing. Fields fill with ripening bountiesand calloused hands working together,to bring our cherished communitya rainbow of earthly treasures. Reds and greens abound,In our red ripe berries and sugar snap peas.Taste buds...
read moreLearning to Make Kimchi
Summer is a time of abundance on the farm! It feels like every day as I am walking around the field, exciting and yummy new veggies are popping up, ready to enjoy. In contrast to the root vegetables and squash of winter and early spring, this week of the summer solstice my kitchen has been full of fresh greens, herbs, berries, and more! But the summer finds a way to come and go too fast, and before I know it some of my favorite vegetables will start to disappear from the farm. Luckily, I have incredible friends and coworkers who love to teach...
read moreHumors of June
Where in dry grass lives the thrash of young birdsIt shifts with presence, quiet, ulteriorOr in the dust of creekside fieldParents feigning broken wings It’s all an ashy tumbleThis June air, with August feelingSweat puts up clouds as it strikes earthThere are columns of smoke in this valley Yet, it is not deep SummerA wave rises, lapping at the ridge’s far lineDamp twilight pushing past the rainshadowThen spilling over, cold Where are the dry places nowJune rain does not placate with straight flight pathsIt fills and moves with sinewsIt...
read moreFor the Love of Herbs
Different things motivate different farmers in their work, and there’s usually a multitude of reasons. A big motivator for me is simply my love of food and the pleasure of eating really, really good food. Having access to such a diverse array of produce makes cooking a joy and pushes my culinary boundaries. Lately when I’ve made something particularly delicious, its because of the fresh herbs I’ve added to the dish. Fresh herbs can completely transform your meal and take it from a bland, lifeless dish to something bright, complex and...
read moreWhat’s in my CSA?
The sun rose high over the valley today, A beacon of hope for this rainy late-May.My heart has blossomed anew for what’s to come,For today is the day of my CSA! What’s in store this week you may wonder…Well, they’re leafy, hearty, and some come from down under.Verdant frills and ruby jewels,all a sneak peak at what’s to come this summer. First to come are stalks of green and bulbs of white.Freshly washed they sparkle in the light.Stem, leaf, and bulb can all be enjoyed;our green garlic is quite the delight! The next of our...
read moreThree Haikus for May
Solomon drives tractor while composing haikus. Will it rain or shine Is this day July or March Push out and retreat Old fields new again ...
read moreRed Dog Farm Crossword
Download this crossword here! Across2. Delicata, Kabocha, Acorn, e.g.4. One of many herbs we grow5. Where seeds are started8. Used to prepare fields before planting9. Pea ______; often used as a tender garnish10. CSA members received baby ones last week11. Office Admin who sends CSA news email each week13. Org. that issued Red Dog’s organic certification15. Orange cherry tomato variety16. Family of cabbages, kales, etc. Down1. Current farm dog and daughter of the Red Dog namesake2. Also known as Jerusalem Artichokes3. Come in gold,...
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