Share #12 August 25th & 27th

Crop List: Cosmic Mix, Arugula, Summer Squash, Green Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Fennel, Basil, Sage, Sunflowers, Tomatoes, and Carrots

This week's crop list is starting to look a bit more like early fall, to me at least. Jed says "summer".  We're pulling the fennel in. It's not our best crop, but it was starting to bolt so we decided to go for it. We have another crop coming that currently looks better. No point in wasting this week's fennel because it doesn't look perfect. The flavor is still there!

The broccoli, beans and arugula have been beautiful. I hope you are enjoying them.

We are in the middle of our annual organic inspection. I'm typing at the computer in the office. Jed and the inspector are at the kitchen table going through the records. Jed and I take turns with different "departments" of the farm. I've written many years about why we choose to do this and why we think it is important. If you are curious, check out this great video Oregon Tilth made of our farm. The goal of the video is to get more farmers to be certified organic. It is geared towards livestock farmers. But if you want to geek out a bit, have at it! There are amazing shots of the farm if you've never seen it! 

Cool farm video here! (short version, 2 minutes, fluffy and concise)
More farm video here! (long version, 15 minutes, more intensive for other farmers)
And, yes, I'm horrified at how much I say "um" when I'm nervous.

Last year many of you told me you'd like me to write more about how the farm works. Last night (while going over a paperwork checklist in my head instead of sleeping) I had the idea of sharing with you all the records we have to keep and share with our organic certifying agency. It does give you a good view of the farm and the thoroughness of an inspection. We look at all this paperwork after the inspector walks around the farm asking questions and making notes.

• Number of Eggs produced
• Air quality records of chicken coop
• Milk produced
• Animals born and butchered
• Meat sold and inventory
• Eggs sold
• Plant starts sold records
• Veggies sold
• Seed Labels/packets
• Seed receipts (including statements from each company we purchased from regarding Non GMO and Non treated seeds only)
• Planting Records
• Transplanting Records
• Harvest Records
• Distribution Records (each and every CSA delivery and market. Each veggie to leave the farm must be traceable back to a seed receipt)
• All feed purchases for animals (Cows, pigs, chickens) And the organic certificate from the origination
• What animals ate and amounts (to make sure it matches our feed receipts)
• Animal ID log
• All bedding records (straw for cows, has to be certified organic)
• All medical records for animals (Homeopathic, herbs, etc. If we have an animal get sick that becomes non-certified because of meds, we have to show how we track it, to make sure it does not get sold as organic. Luckily this has not happened in many years)
• Healthcare/welfare animal records (housing, water access, access to feed, outside access for chickens)
• Animal sanitation and pest management records
• Biodiversity Observations
• Buffer Zone details (we are required to have a buffer between our growing area and our non-organic neighbors to prevent chemical drift)
• Cleaning records and what soap we use
• Examples of all Labels we use (meat, eggs, tallow, Cosmic Mix...)
• All inputs for compost pile and soil (manure, biodynamic preps, how much compost we spread)
• Time and temperature log for compost pile to ensure it is properly composted
• Pasture seeding records
• Origin of water used for irrigation
• Soil test records
• Cover crop and rotation records
• Tallow balm sales
• Tallow balm batches and yields
• Tallow balm ingredient purchases (and organic certifications from all companies)
• Suet rendered into tallow, butcher receipts and Animal ID log to prove I use organic suet (all tallow balm must be traceable back to the cows birth on our farm or ingredient purchase)
• Application of Biodynamic preps (timing, amount, which ones)
• Biodynamic Prep storage
• Gross Organic Revenue

I'm sure I'm missing some. Our certifying agency can also ask for anything else at any time as long as it pertains to organic certification. A lot of work? Yes. Worth it so you don't have to wonder about it? Absolutely!

Recipe Ideas: Caramelized Fennel with Beans, Carrots & Chile and Soy Drizzle; One Pan Summer Eggs (summer squash page); Greek Stewed Zucchini; Summer Squash Ribbons​

Recipes

We have lots of extra goodies available at your pick up. Dinner just got easier!
The coolers at your site are stocked with a selection of Lifeline Cheese, Cosmic Apple Eggs, Pork and Beef (availability listed below).  If you want something specific, please email me and I will make sure it is in the cooler, reserved just for you. I don't send every cut every week, they simply won't all fit, but I love putting together special orders!

​Pork Available: Grandpa’s Sausage, Breakfast Sausage, Boneless Chops, Shoulder Roast, Spare Ribs, Boneless Pork Loin, Neck Bones, Back Fat, Leaf Fat, Hock, Liver, Heart and Kidney

Beef Available: Tenderloin, New York Steak, Rib Eye Steak, Sirloin Steak, Eye of the Round Steak, Skirt Steak, Tri-tip, Patties, Stew Meat, Heart, Ground Beef, Short Ribs, Brisket, Round Roast, Sirloin Tip Roast, Liver, Kidney, Marrow Bones, Knuckle Bones, Fat and Tongue


WASH YOUR VEGGIES!!
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Bring Bags to pick-ups!

If you can't make it to pick up your veggies, send a friend!
Missed shares are forfeited for the week. 
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Members get 10% off at the Farmer's Markets!
The People's Market: Wednesdays, 4-7 Center for the Arts
The Driggs Market: Fridays 9-1, Driggs City Center
Jackson Hole Farmer's Market: Saturdays 8-12, Jackson Town Square

Questions? Comments? Recipes to share? [email protected]