October 12, 2013 - last share!

Summer seems to want to stay, but the calendar says that fall is here! Your share  reflects the two seasons that have overlapped this week.

This praying mantis took a ride on Natalie's hat. Click on the photo to see him posing for the camera!

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:

KALE

RADISHES

ONION

SPINACH

NAPA - CHINESE CABBAGE

SWEET PEPPERS

ARUGULA

POTATOES

SWEET POTATOES

GARLIC

PEARS! - "Sugar Pears" - when ripe, they live up to their name!

The first seven items do best in plastic in the fridge; the last four do not need refrigeration.

NOTES FROM THE FROG HOLLER RECIPE BOX:

Use Napa cabbage, garlic, onion, and even some peppers, to make this Cabbage Stir-Fry dish, infused with the flavors of Asian cuisine. Or use the peppers and onion to make Skillet Onions and Peppers, a popular side dish/topping at the farm. On pizza, on a sandwich, in a wrap or on a taco - we've done them all! You might enjoy this fresh fall spinach in a simple Spinach Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette. 
It wouldn't hurt to slice a few of those tender radishes into the salad! Several interesting variations are also listed with the Spinach recipe. In a pasta or potatoes mood? There's a way to include spinach!


NOTES FROM THE NEWSLETTER WRITER (CATHY KING):

A friend recently sent this photo, titling it, "You're getting free ads!". She did know, as many of you know, that the billboard must refer to the "other" Frog Holler, the one with the big trucks that ply the streets of Ann Arbor and deliver produce to stores and restaurants across southeastern Michigan. We're quite sure that the bank of Ann Arbor wasn't highlighting our little market stall on their billboard. But that's okay, we'll take the free advertising.

Understandably, some folks think we are the same business, for how could two separate entities come up with the same funny name? There's a story about that, but, for the record, our names are a little different: the wholesale distributors are Frog Holler Produce and we are Frog Holler Farm. And it does make us a little uncomfortable when folks think that we operate on the scale of multiple trucks and wholesale accounts, or, worse yet, that we purchase some of the produce to sell at the market or, horrors, put in the share boxes!


Frog Holler Farm is a family farm and has been since 1972 - or maybe since 1977 when the first tadpole, Billy King, was born. We have always grown organically and we grow every smidgen of the produce that we sell at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, our only outlet besides the CSA. But in order to stay in this "field", learning through myriad mistakes over the years, we have had tons of help!

 We started our residential intern program in 2009, and have been blessed with the enthusiasm and energy of young folks who want to learn where their food comes from. This season's stellar crew, who you met in previous newsletters and have seen at the market, have worked long days, often hot, dirty or sweaty (or all of the above) and have planted, weeded and now harvested the veggies in your share. And they have rarely complained; as a matter of fact, you'll often hear laughter coming out of the fields, even though they're on hands and knees, nose to the ground, clearing the path for the plants to thrive. We couldn't do it without them!

The vision for Frog Holler Farm began in 1972, when Ken King plowed the first furrow. Cathy joined him and their three sons, Billy, Kenny and Edwin grew up at Frog Holler. Ken's passing in 2009 left a big hole in the local organic farming community. Ken's sons, along with Cathy, continue the work Ken started: growing clean food at a sustainable scale, interacting directly with the community, maintaining the natural beauty of the land and fertility of the soil, and taking time to play a game, share a laugh or sing a song.

Thank you for your membership and support! We hope you have had a positive experience this season and wish you peaceful and nourishing winter. We'll be at the Farmers Market into November - come see us!

 

the King family - Edwin, Cathy, Kenny, Billy
 

Thanks everyone!

October 5, 2013- Share #13

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:

Kale Surprise - either Curly or Russian. 

These apples have some heart!

Spinach 

Broccoli

Carrots

Beets

Sweet Potatoes 

Radishes

Garlic

Sage

Apples! 

 All items do best in a plastic bag in the fridge, except the garlic and sweet potatoes. Remove tops from beets and carrots for longest storage. 

Thank you for returning your boxes! All good things must come to an end, and for some of you this will be your final share. You may want to bring a bag and any old share boxes that may be collecting dust or propping up furniture around the house. If you aren't able to, no worries! Just return the box(es) to us when you can. 

NOTES FROM THE FROG HOLLER RECIPE BOX:

What better way to celebrate sweet potatoes and fall than with a festive soup? We made this one for a farm lunch and it was a hit. 

Pair it with a homemade biscuit!

Roasted Sweet Potato, Apple, and Sage Soup

Ingredients:

4 large sweet potatoes

3 tablespoon olive oil

1 small butternut squash, halved lengthwise with seeds removed

1 onion, diced

1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger

1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped

1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced

1/4 cup apple cider

4 cups vegetable broth

dash of cinnamon

dash of nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Wash and dry potatoes.  Place whole potatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Place squash cut side up on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Bake both for 40-45 minutes or until soft and cooked through.  Cut into 2-inch pieces when cool and set aside.

2. Pour remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into a heavy soup pot over medium heat.  Add onions, ginger, apples, and sage and cook until onions are translucent. Mix in 1/4 cup apple cider and all the veggie broth.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer.  Cover and cook until the apples are soft, about 10-15 minutes.  Add the potato chunks and continue to simmer  another 15 minutes. Puree soup with an immersion blender. Add salt, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mixing well.  Spoon into bowls, garnish with cinnamon and sage leaves.  

NOTES FROM THE FIELD:

Back in the ‘70’s the farm had a cider press and was known for selling delicious organic apple cider around Ann Arbor. There were multiple apple trees throughout the land but they unfortunately haven't produced for years. But this year, without any attention or coddling, they were laden with fruit. This unexpected bounty has led to multiple days of fun hard work apple picking. 

Such great heights!

We needed a little help to reach the high ones so Billy helped out with the tractor. 

And back to earth again, safe and sound. 

Don't worry, no interns were injured in the pursuit of the perfect apple!

Billy bringing in the day's bounty after a long day.

(RE)MEET THE INTERNS: BRETTON FOBES AND THE FARM ANIMALS

Mondays and Fridays are always looked forward to on the farm as these are the days that our favorite part time returning intern Bretton joins us. This is the third season she has helped out after moving back to Michigan from Ohio, balancing her work week between the farm and a vet tech position in Okemos. Her professional expertise is occasionally needed on the farm and she repeatedly proves a good sport, such as recently helping clean and comfort a skunked and regretfully curious Cinder.

Naan, curry, pear chutney, samosa, and cucumber salad. Yum!

Bretton has been vegan for over a decade and has quite a collection of tasty vegan recipes. She occasionally treats us to her specialty, Indian food, like this feast she made the other day. Try out these Samosas some time!

Bretton hard at work bunching veggies for market.

An avid brewer, Bretton has become something of a brewing mentor to interns on the farm, and has provided invaluable guidance for beers, dandelion wine, and more. She’s currently brewing up some apple and pear cider! 

Beyond farming, animals, cooking, and brewing, this versatile intern is also an avid traveler with a great love of the Midwest. She spent most of her free time this summer roaming these beautiful states, enjoying everything from camping excursions in the wilderness to concerts in the city. 

We are so happy to have the help of this hard working, animated, life-loving and compassionate young woman!

Cinder is the newest addition to the farm and joined us mostly as a surprise.  A neighbor was looking for a happy home for her and dropped her off one day as a "trial". That trial quickly turned into a permanent stay as she bonded with everyone, especially Cathy, who she follows like a shadow. There was a bit of an adjustment at first as she adapted to life on a farm , but Colleen utilized her knowledge of training animals to help teach her not to trample the fields and to play nice with the cats. Now we couldn't imagine the farm without her!

Lionel, whose formal name is Lionel Bartholomew Kingsley I, is known as the king of the farm cats. He is accustomed to drinking only fresh running water, eating only the finest wet food, and generally asserting his arrogance by ignoring and/or bullying man and beast alike. If Lionel chooses your leg as a scratching post it is an honor. If he is indifferent to you it is an honor. If he allows you to pet him it is a gift. 

Norbert showed up on the farm two years ago with a gimpy leg and big personality. He has since healed and adopted the farm as his permanent home.Wild at heart, he occasionally disappears into the forest for days on unknown missions. When not on these expeditions he is most likely in the addition, sleeping on his favorite windowsill or stopping to smell the flower bouquets.

Gus is the ultimate cuddler and can most readily be found napping in the lap of an intern. Very fitting as the legend of his appearance involves dropping from a tree into the arms of a former intern. The farm has since embraced his presence, from his loving personality to his big purrs. He often joins us in the fields, always a cute distraction inspiring impromptu petting breaks!

Luna was found in the greenhouse three years ago and is the most elusive and mysterious of the farm cats. She is often spotted in the distance, yet disappears as soon as eye contact is made. When not on the run she is known to sleep on the printer in the house. On the rare occasions she tolerates human proximity and seeks affection we are rewarded by the soft purrs of this sweet, gentle lady.

Have a great week!

Natalie with the heart apple!