Sept. 5, 2015 - Share # 11

WHAT'S IN THE BOX: not this little guy grinning through the broccoli!

But there is BROCCOLI in the box, along with:

CARROTS

ZUCCHINI/SUMMER SQUASH

RAINBOW OR GREEN CHARD - large leaves, either white or rainbow stems/veins

FRESH-PICKED CORN

LETTUCE

TOMATOES

POTATOES

ASIAN GREENS - white ribs, dark green spoon-shaped leaves, mildly spicy

ONION

GARLIC

SORREL - this lemon-flavored herb is delicious in salad and soups. We always include it in our Frog Holler Salad Mix and have used it in tabooli and any salad that calls for a light lemon accent. Cream of Sorrel Soup is a traditional East European dish and this recipe from the Zingerman's Food Tour web site offers a french take on this creamy and refreshing dish. Look for light green bunches in your box, some with elongated leaves, some not, and enjoy experimenting!

NOTES FROM THE SHARE:

Well, a lot of good eating in there folks, and we hope you're enjoying the fruits of the harvest as it starts to roll in. When we cook at the farm, we generally look for what's abundant in the "seconds" cooler, and put together a stir-fry from that. As the season changes the predominant veggies do as well, so there's always variety, and a good healthy hunger provides the best spice!

But perhaps you're looking for something different to do with zucchini these days. Well, Zucchini Fries promise to give the satisfaction of "junk food taste" along with a low-calorie profile and another use for a bunch of zukes! Or perhaps "Zucchini Tots" will make those zucchini and summer squash disappear - especially if you have tots in the house! And you can use the onion, garlic, chard, tomatoes AND zucchini in your share to make this low-carb, gluten-free AND satisfying Zucchini Lasagna! And of course there's always Zucchini Bread!

This recipe for Greens, Carrots and Brown Rice came from the recipe section of the Whole Foods web site - lots of ideas there! But you can always just type a few items in your share into a Google search followed by "recipe" and a world of ideas will be at your fingertips. Let us know what you discover!

NOTES FROM THE FARM: The Harvest Crew has been hustling to bring in the abundant crops that are responding to the recent rains and heat. The Canning Crew has been busy turning the veggie "seconds" into tasty winter fare. The Planting Crew has been seeding the last of the quick-growing fall crops as well as sowing cover crop in fallow fields to add nutrients and organic matter. The Holler Fest Clean-up Crew has had their hands full taking down the myriad tents, tarps, signs and various accoutrements that accompany a three-day farm festival. Oh wait - there aren't multiple crews! We have one crew - pretty much the same crew that has stuck with us through the season - and they are putting in long full days to harvest, process, plant and clean up!

But Holler Fest was a blast and hopefully the crew doesn't regret adding a music festival to their summer resume.We also hope some of our CSA members came and enjoyed the time to be in a beautiful setting with lots of musical talent and positive energy.

"The Accidentals" - a talented young trio from Traverse City who lit up the Friday night stage!

Sunday afternoon closing band - and all these folks are dancing in the rain!

Over a thousand local folks responded to our idea that the Ann Arbor area can appreciate and support a local farm, food and music festival - and we think a good chunk of that thousand were kids! Running through "the main holler", crafting in the Kids Tent, spinning hula hoops to the music - Holler Fest seemed to be a kid's paradise!

And to find out who helped facilitate all that kid fun.....

MEET THE INTERN: LISA WOLFGANG!

Lisa in the Holler Kids tent with some of her crafty critters.

Lisa first joined us late last summer, after working at the Interlochen Summer Arts camp in Northern Michigan. She was looking to spend some farming time before heading off to an Artist's residency in Nebraska and then further west to manage the garden at a meditation center in northern California.

Because Lisa's mother is an instructor at Interlochen, Lisa has gone there every summer since she was thirteen, first as a camper and now as an instructor. So, with a college background in ceramics, and an offer of a good position in the ceramics lab, AND an appreciation for her many summers in northern Michigan, Lisa returned to Interlochen this summer and then to Frog Holler after her job ended. And we were glad to have her back!

Lisa's design

But Lisa started working for us even before she arrived at the farm. Remembering her artistic ability, we contacted Lisa while she was at Interlochen and asked if she would like to design the logo for Holler Fest this year (and oh yes, it needs to include a dragonfly, the Holler Fest mascot, and there is a two-week deadline!). But Lisa agreed, and despite a full work load managing lots of creative campers, Lisa sent us a wonderful logo that graced the Holler Fest t-shirts, programs, AND, new this year, the Holler Fest mugs!


Lisa arrived August 10 and plunged right in to the farm work/Holler Fest prep. Because of Lisa's experience with kids, we also asked her to manage the Holler Kids area at Holler Fest. The Kid's Tent at Holler Fest is always aswirl with activity and it was no different this year, with Lisa offering several fun projects along with face painting designs!

Lisa getting ready to lead the Kid's Parade!


Lisa's creativity doesn't end with ceramics; she is also an accomplished singer/songwriter and pianist. She was able to take some time from her busy summer schedule to play at a few open mics around Traverse City. When we noticed that The Ark in Ann Arbor was hosting an Open Mic this past Wednesday, the crew headed in to cheer Lisa on - and to join in the cheers from the audience!

Lisa onstage at the Ark

Lisa at the Ark's baby grand 

Sadly for us, Lisa is about to leave! She had applied for a job at the Battle Creek Public School Outdoor Education Center  last spring and hadn't heard anything until last week when they called with an offer. She will be working with kids, in the outdoors, and will no doubt find a way to make art and music. It's a win-win for all (except us) and we wish Lisa well as she continues to design a unique, independent and creative life!

Lisa contemplates her next sculpture

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