July 26, 2014 - Share #5

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:

One of the many Frog Holler frogs! - photo by Nhin Luu

GREEN BEANS

KALE

BROCCOLI - NEW!

LETTUCE

CARROTS

POTATOES - NEW!

ARUGULA

GARLIC

STORAGE SUGGESTIONS: Everything will stay fresher and crisper if rinsed, drained and stored in a plastic bag in the fridge - except the garlic, which, although not cured, can stay out of the fridge for a while. If you do refrigerate it for longer storage, there's no need to rinse, etc. And the potatoes, which are new potatoes so not cured for long-term storage, will do fine outside of the fridge for a few days. Again, for longer storage, refrigerate to maintain crispness.

 SERVING SUGGESTIONS: A random googling of a few share items brought up this delicious sounding recipe for Arugula, Potato and Green Bean Salad with Walnut Dressing. Who knew? :-) Trying again, the next search produced Mashed Potatoes with Carrots and Kale...and Garlic!
Well, this is fun - let's try another combination. How about Roasted Family-Friendly Vegetables
using broccoli, carrots, potatoes and garlic - a sure winner! See what recipe you can find in your google searches, and let us know if it's a keeper!

If you're seeing green, as in beans, and want to put away some of the extra, beans are very easy to freeze. Simply add to boiling water until the color changes ( just a few minutes), then plunge immediately into cold water. When cooled, drain and package in plastic bags. Next January, you'll be glad you did!

NOTES FROM THE FARM:This week we finished harvesting our garlic; it is now all bundled and hanging in our new pole barn. We also visited the Community Farm of Ann Arbor for a work sharing. Guess what we did? Dug and bundled garlic! We had a great time and appreciate the connection with fellow farmers.

MEET THE INTERNS: NHIN LUU

Nhin used the chain saw to liberate this tree from vines and scrub - now dubbed "the rainbow tree" by Sullivan, seven-year-old farm friend.

It seems to be a theme among our crew this year that they are taking a different direction from what they had previously been doing. For Paul last week, and for Nhin this week, it seems more like a U-turn!

Five years ago Nhin was doing AutoCAD drafting for HVAC systems at an engineering firm in Rockville, Maryland. A degree in Mechanical Engineering from MSU brought Nhin to this world of technology. Although he had always liked mechanical work, he found himself sitting in an office staring at a screen most of the time. Various influences conspired to send Nhin in a different direction and in 2009 Nhin set out on his journey to live, as he said,  a "simple, happy, and eventful life."

Nhin at Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam

Nhin renovated his house in Maryland, a 1920's bungalow, which he then sold. Next he spent a year in Viet Nam, visiting family and friends. (Nhin and his family came to the US when he was three years old and settled in Lansing.) He had visited Viet Nam once before with his family but this time he took a year to really see the country of his birth. Upon returning to the States, Nhin created a functional Ninja 250 motorcycle from two non-running cycles. He then traveled by motorcycle across the country - visiting and helping family and friends in California, Texas, Virginia, Maryland and Michigan. After another six-month visit to Viet Nam, Nhin returned to continue his motorcycle travels, helping family and friends where needed.

Nhin in the carrot patch

Which brings Nhin to Frog Holler - and he is definitely helping where needed! Nhin had also changed his diet along with his life's direction, and was interested in experiencing where food comes from. He gets plenty of that experience, but his mechanical competence keeps him busy in a number of other ways. His skill with a chain saw and other tools has made him a vital assistant for the major fencing project underway this year. (As mentioned in the "oh dear - deer" notes in Newsletter #2!). Nhin can drive a tractor as well as a motorcycle, and is able to pick up the slack for the many mechanical responsibilities that go along with farming.

You might not see Nhin at market; he did go a couple of times in the early spring, but now, as the projects start to pile up, it's a standing joke that we can't let Nhin work at the market when there is so much he can do on the farm! He does get off the farm in his free time, exploring, by motorcycle of course, area lakes and diversions.

Thistle - photo by Nhin

In addition  to his mechanical expertise, Nhin enjoys some sports; he played at #1 singles on his high school tennis team and is polishing his volleyball skills on neighborhood courts this summer. Nhin is also an excellent photographer, as demonstrated in this newsletter, and a skilled breakdancer (!).

Someday Nhin will get on his motorcycle and ride away from Frog Holler, continuing to seek, as he said in his resume, "..vital knowledge and skills that are required for life, not just a job." We don't know when or where he is going, but whether it be in tech support or tomato support, we're sure Nhin will have something to contribute!

Farm work area with tractor, pickup and motorcycle!- photo by Nhin

 Have a great week everyone - and thanks for bringing your boxes back!