Week #38 - Glimpses of the Farm

Today we welcomed approximately 120 visitors to the farm for Open Farm Day. A big thank you to all those that came out to learn what we do and why we do it. While it was a little wet for much of the day, the clouds eventually cleared and the sun shone. 

The event takes alot of work and planning so the whole family is involved. From selling veggies to parking cars to touring visitors around, everyone has a job. In between working the cash, our oldest son created this fantastic video so you too can catch some glimpses of the farm. 

FFF CSA - Week 12/12 - What's in the Box? - All good things must end... at least for the winter!

Alas we have come to the end of the summer... the end of our CSA share and its just about time to start putting the garden to bed for awhile. The season has been somewhat underwhelming with a number of veggies having a tough year. 

Our eggplants, broccoli and cauliflower, carrots and beets not to mention our kale - have all struggled or lacked vigor. The frequent and large rains were not conducive to high yields for those crops. Luckily when you diversify and have many different products you are seldom completely wiped out due to bad weather. Our baskets and bellies were never empty and nature's bounty was as always awe-inspiring.  

To our shareholders, thank you for sharing in our year, both when it was bountiful as well when things happened to be scarce! We love interacting with you each week both in person and online! We hope you will give us the opportunity to feed you again next year!  Just a reminder that we do have other products available throughout the rest of the year.... check back to our Products Available page on our website frequently for updated availability of meats, eggs and other goodies! 

So... What's in the Box this week?

• Bag of mixed greens (lettuce, kale, swiss chard)
• Zucchini  (fulls only)
• Cucumbers
• Potato
• Pumpkins
• Peppers (sweet and hot)
• Squash - its a surprise! May include spaghetti squash, butternut, acorn and a few romanesca)
• Kohlrabi (half shares only)
• Ground cherries 
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Gourds (for your fall displays - not edible)

and a special farewell addition......

• Green Veggie powder - dehydrated greens that you can slip into smoothie, soups, stews and sauces to amp up the nutrition! 

Romanesco squash

If you haven't been out to the farm, you are always most welcome! Why not pop by this Sunday between 11-5 on Open Farm Day!  More information can be found at www.openfarmday.ca 

Note: We do rinse the produce but it would be prudent to wash all vegetables when you get them home. Keeping the herbs (ends) in a cup of clean water will keep them fresh longer. (unless of course, you are drying them for storage later.)

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies

Week #37 - Fresh starts, sad endings, and some new perspective

The first week of school... the last week of our CSA.... the first days of a new adventure. Now throw in a curveball and a tragic and sudden goodbye... week #37 has been full of the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Our kids all began school this week and Farmer Phil along with them (as he works at the highschool). The juggling of school, off farm work and farm work got a little bit crazier. 

Our oldest was pumped to be heading into his second year of University and a new line of study. So he (and all of us) didn't need the three broken bones in his foot the night before his first day. He is gaining fresh appreciation for why accessibility needs to be universal and woven into all building design. 

The first day of school for our two youngest kids (and Philip) was rocked by the tragic death of a long standing teacher on his way to school. While our children weren't taught by Mike Slobodian (Slobo as everyone called him), he was a much loved man who among other things took many highschool kids on annual canoe trips each year. Watching the school community come together to grieve, say goodbye and eventually to say goodbye has been sad yet rewarding. Rewarding to see how people reach out, help one another and look out for those that are struggling. The event certainly reminds you how quick lives can be altered and to remember to tell each other how much we mean to one another when we can. 

Ariane wasted no time taking Oakley for a test drive!

This weekend we welcomed Ariane into our home and hearts. She has come to stay with us for three months and we are so excited to get to know her and help her learn about our family, our community and our language. Once the three months have passed, our daughter will then go and stay with her for three months. Truly a life changing experience! 

We are looking ahead and preparing for our last CSA delivery as well as Open Farm Day next Sunday. We will once again be participating in this event this year. We, along with almost 50 other farms, will open our farms to visitors from across the Province for a day of learning and discovery. We will share our story and introduce visitors to everyone on the farm....both two legged and four! You can learn more about this event by visiting www.openfarmday.ca . We will be open from 11 am - 4 p.m. We will have a some veggies and some other treats for sale as well. Hope to see you there! 

Jet also came to stay on the farm this week! 

As we greet a new week tomorrow, please remember to be kind to each other and careful with our world. Show up, step up, speak up! 

Week #10 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Soup for September

September is here and whether we like it or not, fall is in it's way. The mornings are getting nippy and the evenings noticeably shorter. To cheer your end of summer blues, we are suggesting some yummy soup! 

In our CSA box this week, you will find some leeks and of course some potatoes (along with other things!). Thus, you have the makings of potato and leek soup! The recipe we like to use is here and the result is a hearty, creamy soup along with a salad and some bread would be a wonderful fall supper! 

While I have your attention.. thought I would pass along two important notes: 

1) We are again participating in Open Farm Day on September 21st. While our CSA share holders are always welcome to tour/visit the farm... if you haven't made it out to visit us, feel free to come on the 21st. There are many other farms participating... for more info check out this website. 

2) For those who have been waiting... our beef is ready as of today. If you are interested in fresh beef, check out our products page and send an email to order. For those that have ordered, we will be in contact shortly to arrange to meet up... or "meat up" :) 

So... What's (else is) in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes - large and cherry
• Beets
• Turnip or Kohlrabi
• Ground Cherries
• Kale
• Carrots
• Peppers - Hot and sweet varieties
• Onion
• Leeks - New!
• Potatoes
• Herbs - oregano, rosemary, curled parsley, cilantro, chives

We pick the vegetables within 24 hours of the box being delivered. We do rinse the produce but it would be prudent to wash all vegetables when you get them home. Keeping the herbs (ends) in a cup of clean water will keep them fresh longer.

Please return your empty box along with all re-usable containers (ice cream pails, plastic containers, etc) so that we can reuse them all over again. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies