Share #8 July 25th & 27th

Crop List: Cosmic Mix, Curly Kale, Turnips, Romaine Head Lettuce, Mint, Radish, Summer Squash, Maybe Tomatoes, Sugar Snap Peas and/or Cucumbers 

As a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member you have a vested interest in the farm and our success. Many of you pay for your veggies before we are done harvesting the previous year's crop, committing to a share in the fall for the following summer. This is a leap of faith for you. You should know, many years Jed and I joke about taking the money and splitting for Mexico, we haven't...yet. Us taking the money and running aside...by purchasing your veggies in advance you are agreeing to reap the harvest in good years and in bad. We have had some crop failures over the years, but we grow such a diversity of crops we have never had a full bust, every year we are proud of what we grow and how many people we feed. 
Buying a share is so different from going to the grocery store. Not knowing what you are getting, juggling a small pick up window or not being able to stop back for what you want more of are all things that make it challenging on your end. In return you are helping to build a local food system, getting fresher veggies that are more nutrient dense, taste better and are better for your health. You are keeping more of your money local, reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a local family.
The food distribution system in our country is dangerous at best. We in the Tetons know all to well how fragile our grocery stores are in the winter when storms shut down the roads. Most cities and towns only have enough food for 3 days. The produce ordered by grocery stores comes from huge distribution points which are stocked by huge farms who monocrop vast tracts of land...yes, even the organic ones. The farms send their produce out not knowing where it is going or who is eating it. Grocers order food not caring about where the produce is coming from or ever knowing the names of the farms.
I recently heard another farmer describe the CSA model as "farming in color". For year's she was a dairy farmer, putting her milk on a semi once a week and sending it away, waiting for the check to show up. Living in a black and white world. She now sells milk directly to customers, all who have added so much color to her life. She knows her customers, cares about them and wants the best for their families. There is a reciprocal relationship that has been formed. There is compassion and connection built by knowing others in our community. Trust is built.
If I tell you a crop is short this week, you trust we did our best to bring it to fruition. Farming is a mix of science, art, timing and a hell of a lot of hard work. The end results of what we do don't end up on a store shelf for someone who does not care about where our produce came from. It is for you, the person who believes in our farm, our mission and our family.
We can't always deliver exactly what you want, when you want it like the grocery store can. Grocers don't care where the produce is from as long as it is there. Farmers are at the mercy of Mother Nature, labor shortages, payroll being too high, irrigation limitations and just not enough time in day. We know so many of you get this. It is why you are here. It is why you have chosen to take the road less traveled. You have made a decision to step into a world full of color and taste and relationship. You have chosen to support our farm in abundance and in lack.
I write all this not to set you up for a year of lack! We are having a stellar growing season. We just wanted to remind everyone about the CSA model and how we are all in it together, supporting each other, depending on and trusting each other. Stepping outside of a broken food system with each of us doing our best to build something different.

Volunteer Special! Have you wanted to try a day on the farm, but can't commit to one day a week? Let us know if you want to work for one morning. 7am-12:15. Monday-Thursday. We'll feed you lunch and give you a half share. You'll get to see where your veggies come from and what it takes to get them on the truck for share distribution. Please send me an email so we can plan for extra hands.
Volunteer-If you (or someone you know!) is curious about high altitude gardening becoming a garden helper may be just right. We are only asking folks to commit to 1 morning a week for one month, that's 20-25 hours for one month! It feels really good to have volunteers back on the farm, we missed them!! Lunch and veggies are provided! Follow the link below to check it out!

Volunteer

Recipes

Lunch this Week: Chili Mint Stir fry with Cosmic Beef, Garlic Curls, Turnips and Kale; Burrito with Idaho Salsa (on the Cucumber page)
Recipe Ideas: Kale Salad with yogurt mint dressing; Kale dip with Snap Peas; Mint glazed Turnips or Iced Mint Tea
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The coolers at your site are stocked with a selection of the beef and pork listed below. If you know you want something, please email me and I will make sure it is in the cooler, reserved for you. I don't send every cut every week, they simply won't all fit!
Beef Available: Ground Beef
​Pork Available: Grandpa's Sausage, Breakfast Sausage, Pork Chops, Shoulder Roast, Tenderloin, Spare Ribs, Neck Bones (make the real deal Ramen!) and Fat

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. 
Members get 10% off at the Farmer's Markets!
The Driggs Market: Fridays 9-1
JH Farmer's Market: Saturdays 8-12
The People's Market: Wednesdays 4-7
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Questions? Comments? Recipes to share? [email protected]