FIRST SHARE JUNE 12TH, JUNE 14TH

We have beautiful stuff coming up.  First market is next week and first share is around the corner!  I (Julia) sent out emails last week to our CSA members to confirm the date of their first pick-up:

"June 12th if you are a Tuesday person, June 14th if you pick-up on Thursdays."  

This spring has been a rollercoaster for our crops as they try to adapt to 95 degrees one day and 60 degrees the next.  The week of 80 degrees in March upset our rhubarb and jump-started the garlic.  We have garlic scapes already, earlier than ever.  And bunnies are rampant out here!  Our mild winter gave them more than enough opportunity to do what all bunnies like to do in their free time.  So, lots of bunnies...
People have asked us what we think the mild winter will mean for our crops.  We aren't sure.  More bugs?  Maybe.  But more bugs mean more beneficial bugs, too, so we are hoping it will all balance out.  We have more hands on board this year to tackle that problem, armed for anything.  Can't wait to meet our members and share our harvests--soon very soon!

RAdishes!

Cilantro!

Dill!

Spinach!

Mixed Greens!

Arugula under row cover.

Garlic scape, ready to eat.

Introducing Joe (again!)

Welcome Joe!

Katie and Carolyn

Spinach getting to size for our first week's share in June!

Joe has returned to The Plot after a year of working on another farm, his fourth farm.  (He was an intern for us in 2010, one of the few and proud to have lived a whole season in a motor home.)  This year and, for as long as we can hold onto him, he will act as our Assistant Farm Manager.  We are very thankful for him as he can do the work of two, while looking fashionable.  In partial payment for his experience/expertise,  we are giving Joe 2 acres for his own use.  On this ground, he has started Three Plaid Farmers with cohorts Carolyn and Katie above.  Read about their adventures on their blog:  blog.threeplaid.com
This type of exchange follows--although not exactly-- the idea of the "incubator farm" like Prairie Crossing in Grayslake.   In our scenario, instead of rent for the land, Joe is exchanging a significant amount labor for us, and responsibility.  We are banking on such overlapping efforts and cooperation to yield more local and organic produce for all.
In addition to Joe, we have welcomed Meredith, Laura and Justin as part-time interns.  More on these three next post.

Meredith

Justin
Laura..photo to come!

The Head Peasant himself, Todd.

In Case You Think You Don't Like Kale

I'm working on recipe cards to go with your weekly shares.  Sample above!  -Julia