WELCOME to the first CSA distribution of 2016

As you all know- CSA is starting a week later than we originally planned. Super sorry folks, we know exactly how frustratingly patient you have all been; waiting for that first bite of gorgeous, delicious fresh from the farm salad. BUT. You may have noticed that the weather had been a little strange the last couple of weeks? 50 degrees one day, 90 degrees the next and in May/June....???? I'm still wrapping my head around that weather shift- what it means for our plants is that they go into stress mode and shut down. They just don't grow very much because they don't know what's coming (no, they don't have brains, but they do have complex defense systems that are combined with the soil food web of bacteria and fungi who don't function well in dramatic temperature shifts). So baby plants go out in the field and don't do much. They are growing when the weather holds steady, so hopefully we will see them put on some good growth in the next couple of weeks.
Our CSA has grown a whopping 400% this year with over 200 shares going out locally (and some delivered to sister farm Weir River and to our Trustees Boston offices). Instead of the 2 acres we had last year, we now have 12 acres in production. Whew! It's a big jump, but we are still having fun and laughing despite the hectic nature of our work this season. The farmstand is getting a makeover during the next month or so and we are adding local products to the mix! We have Birds and Beans organic, fair trade coffee; Appalachian Naturals Salad dressings, BBQ sauces; and Holiday Brook Farm Maple syrup. We will be adding more products as the weeks go on, so keep peaking in the farmstand every week!
Our farm team is all here and working like gangbusters. This year we have Cole Trager, Kirsten Kampmeier and Gabe Brower. Make sure and introduce yourselves to our great crew.

Week 1 Share: What to expect this week (as always, there could be some variability due to conditions of the crop when we get out there)
Per usual, the first weeks of the season are greens, greens and more greens. In seasonal eating, the first greens of the season are meant to jumpstart your body after a winter of eating comfort foods rich in starch, fats and proteins. Greens are for cleansing all the gunk out of the body that has built up; hence they tend to be either bitter (mustards) or thick and mucilaginous (chards, spinach, kale). They are filled with trace nutrients, calcium, iron, Vit A, E and more to clean you out and give your body exactly the nutrition it needs for summer's headlong sprint into action.

Arugula
Radishes
Braising mix/mixed mustard greens/mesclun- however you like to eat em
Spinach
Head Lettuce
Salad mix
Kale
Green Garlic

Strawberries are happening already!!!! They will be open for picking this week!

Recipes:
So, I have a confession. I've never been all that fond of radishes. But I love this spread and it is so easy. I've even done the same with fresh goat cheese and it is equally amazing.

Radish Butter with Lemon Zest and Sea Salt
Ingredients:
1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
5 fresh radishes (use more if you really like radishes!)
1 tsp of fresh lemon zest
1/2 tsp sea salt (or salt to taste)
Directions:
Chop the radishes very fine by hand or use a food chopper and mix with the lemon zest and sea salt. Mix thoroughly into the softened butter and chill until firm but not hard. Spread liberally onto your favorite crackers, French Bread, bagel- preferable warmed but not hot (better creamy like cream cheese than melted).

The BEST salad.
Farmer's favorite way to eat salad first thing in the late spring is when the lettuce, mustards and spinach are sweet and the strawberries are warm from the field. We tear the lettuces, mustards and spinach into bite sized pieces and toss with Maple balsamic vinaigrette (you can make your own or buy in the farmstore). We throw in quartered strawberries, herb toasted croutons and feta or goat cheese. This is so good that we eat huge bowls of it with nothing else for dinner, but it makes a great side salad as well.  

Washing Veggies:
Here at the beginning of the season, we just want to remind you that while we quick rinse and cool all the veggies that we harvest for you- we ALWAYS recommend that you also re-wash your veggies again when you get home. There is a great guide in our CSA handbook that talks about the best way to store various veggies, but always feel free to ask again for quick tips at distribution.


UPCOMING Events:
Check our Facebook page- Friends of Chestnut Hill Farm and MySouthborough.com for updated schedules of everything happening on the farm.

 Storytime at the Farm starting on Fridays in June. Starting on Friday June, 10th at 10am we will read some fun stories, do an activity or craft or get up close and personal with chickens, goats or rabbits. Come explore the farm with us! $5/kid (adults are free).

Fathers Day Bluegrass and BBQ. Join us this Sunday, June 19th for bbq and music in the orchard to celebrate our dads. Starting at 4pm! Check out http://www.thetrustees.org for more information.