Clagett Farm

Unless you hear from us again, no share on Tuesday

Forecasts at the moment are indicating heavy wind and rain through Tuesday.  No one wants to stand in 50 mph wind and sideways rain to pick up their pile of arugula, so let's just assume there is no share on Tuesday.  We'll reassess on Monday evening.  If the storm has passed and it will be reasonable weather on Tuesday afternoon, then we'll send out an e-mail and post on our blog that the share is on again.  If your power is out and you can't see either of those, you can also call our field phone on Tuesday (301-537-3038).   

It doesn't look like there's a frost coming this week, so all those greens, daikon and the bit of eggplant remaining will probably fare just fine out there.  We should be back in business on Saturday, so Tuesday folks are welcome to come Saturday to pick up the missed share, or take a double share our last Tuesday (Nov 6).  

Stay safe, everyone!

 

 

This Week's Share: Three Shares till the end of the season!

Photo via MDGovPics on Flickr: Lt. Governor participates in the Clagett Farm Day of Service. 

Believe it or not, there are only three shares to the end of the season (including this week's share)! As noted over the last few weeks, the last share dates of the season will be Tuesday November 6 and Saturday November 10. 

In case you missed it yesterday, we posted details of the Fall Picnic coming up on Saturday, November 3. We hope you can make it!

And with that, here are the details for Week 24 of the CSA:

5 1/2 pound total combination of any of the following, barring the exceptions noted below:

• Eggplant

• Peppers

• Garlic

• Daikon

• Chiles

• Turnips (mostly Amber Globe variety)

• Sunchokes (also known as Jerusalem Artichokes). Recipe ideas are noted below. 

• Greens (arugula, southern giant, mizuna,and tender greens)

• 1/4 pound maximum combined tatsoi, spicy mix, spinach and Swiss chard

• 3 pound maximum sweet potatoes, purchased from Radix Farm (an organic farm down the street from us), and Lancaster Farm Fresh Coop (an organic farm in Pennsylvania) 

 

 

Recipe Ideas for Sunchokes

• Pan Roasted Sunchokes
• Roasted Sunchokes with Hazelnut Gremolata
• Sunchoke Soup with Pumpkin Seeds
• Sunchoke Kale Hash

 

On U-Pick this week:

If you want to come and u-pick, you can find a map of the fields and locations at the Wash Station when you arrive at the farm, denoting where to find the fields listed below. Here's what's on offer this week. 

Greens, daikon, celery, herbs (oregano, sorrel, parsley, onion chives, cilantro, stevia, lemongrass, anise hyssop, thyme, lemon balm, sage, garlic chives, mint), flowers (a few left)

Reminders:

• Beef for Sale: It's the time of the year when the farm is making some beef available for sale. If this is of interest to you, you can get all the details at http://clagettgrassfed.wordpress.com/. 

Enjoy this week's share, and let us know if you have any questions about your produce or how to use it! 

Have a great week,

-- Clay

 

Fall Picnic November 3rd (a week from Saturday)

(This photo via TheBittenWord.com)

We almost didn't have a fall festival this year due to some schedule conflicts.  But we just couldn't resist.  See, the truth is, you guys are a fantastic bunch of people and we want a chance to hang out with you. 

It's not uncommon for me to have a conversation with friends who work in the service industry (waiters, park rangers, doctors, salespeople, etc) and the friend will mention some terrible interaction they've had recently with a rushed, angry patron/client/customer.  And I always think to myself, "Wow, my customers are always so nice to me.  Always!  I'm so lucky!"  I think it has something to do with the fact that we interact with you regularly, so if there's a problem, we can resolve it amicably.  But still, I'm not sure how I am so fortunate to have such terrific, encouraging, friendly members to work for. 

OK, back to business.  Here's the plan:

Saturday, November 3rd, we'll move the CSA pick-up to the Education Barn.  The picnic will be there, also, from 1:00 - 4:00pm or later.  We're expecting it to be cold, so we'll light a bonfire outside, and rent a few heaters for the inside of the barn.  Alexis Starkey is one of our volunteers at the farm pick-up on Tuesdays.  She also happens to be a caterer, and we've asked her to cook some Harvest Stew of mixed vegetables, as well as some biscuits, hot cocoa, and sweet potatoes roasted in foil at the bonfire.  All will be available for purchase at a modest price.  Bring food and drink for yourself and/or buy Alexis's as you please.  

Our band this year will be whomever happens to show up with instruments. This can be you! 

As in past years, we'd love for you to bring some baked goods, other homemade foods, arts, crafts, or anything else you would like to sell so we can raise money for the farm.  Instead of a silent auction, we'll treat it more like a regular sales table, so you can buy what you like whenever you want during the afternoon.  All the money we raise will help us offer half-price CSA shares for low-income families in 2014.  You are welcome to bring the items to the farm on the day of the picnic, or any day ahead of time.  

And of course, we'll be offering free hayrides to visit the cows and chickens. 

We've invited Melwood to sell pots of mums--they have a vocational horticultural center nearby for adults with disabilities.  If it's anything like years prior, they will be beautiful and very reasonably-priced.

To summarize, things you might wish to bring to the fall event.  All are optional:

• Cash (checks are OK too) for warm food and drink, and the irresistable pies and other things people have donated.
• Food and drink for you and your family/friends, should you wish to bring your own
• An instrument to play
• Donations for our sales table (cupcakes, knitted mittens, pottery, etc)
• Chairs or blankets, if you prefer them over hay bales
• Plates, cups and utensils (we'll have extras)
• Dress warmly!  Bundle up, so you can relax and have a great time. 

All are welcome.  Invite your friends and neighbors. 

Clagett Farm, 11904 Old Marlboro Pike, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 

See you then!

-Carrie, and the rest of the farm staff

This Week's Share: Lemongrass and Sunchockes Enter the Share

Happy Tuesday. Here are the details for Week 23 of the CSA:

• 2 1/4 pounds total peppers + eggplant + garlic 

• 1 pound lemongrass + greens, including spicy mix,arugula, southern giant, mezuna, tatsoi, and tender greens

• 1 1/4 pounds total turnips + sunchockes + Daikon radishes + chiles

Recipe Ideas

• Daikon Radish: Here are 10 ideas for how to use them! 
• Lemongrass: Make tea! 

 

On U-Pick this week:

If you want to come and u-pick, you can find a map of the fields and locations at the Wash Station when you arrive at the farm, denoting where to find the fields listed below. Here's what's on offer this week. 

• Greens. Almost all the greens are on the u-pick list. 

• Chiles (still lots). 

• Celery. It has improved in the cool weather. Come pick it! 

• Herbs: Basil, oregano, sorrel, parsley, onion chives, cilantro, stevia, lemongrass, anise, thyme, lemon balm, sage, garlic chives, mint, garlic chives. 

• As always, any flowers are always fair game.  There are a lot of nice flowers on the farm right now. 

 

Reminders:

• Beef for Sale: It's the time of the year when the farm is making some beef available for sale. If this is of interest to you, you can get all the details at http://clagettgrassfed.wordpress.com/. 

• Save the Date: Clagett Fall Picnic on Novenber 3! The Fall event at the farm will be Saturday, November 3. This year we'll be having a picnic (previous years have been a potluck) but the event will still feature hayrides and lots of fun activities. More on that coming later this month.  

• Mark your calendars! The last share dates of the season will be Tuesday November 6 and Saturday November 10. 

 

Enjoy this week's share, and let us know if you have any questions about your produce or how to use it! 

Have a great week,

-- Clay

This Week's Share Info Plus Fall Beef Sale

(This photo: CSA member Krossbow on Flickr)   

 

Happy (chilly) Tuesday! 

Here's are a few quick updates before we get to the share: 

• Beef for Sale: It's the time of the year when the farm is making some beef available for sale. If this is of interest to you, you can get all the details at http://clagettgrassfed.wordpress.com/. 

• Save the Date: Clagett Fall Picnic on Novenber 3! As we announced last week, we're scheduling our Fall event for Saturday, November 3. This year we'll be having a picnic (previous years have been a potluck) but the event will still feature hayrides and lots of fun activities. More on that coming later this month.  

• Mark your calendars! The last share dates of the season will be Tuesday November 6 and Saturday November 10. 

 

 And now here's what you'll find in Week 22 of the CSA:

• 1/2 pound total combination beans, carrots and okra

• 1 pounds total combination of greens, including kale, spicy mix,arugula, southern giant mustard, mezuna, tatsoi, tender greens, broccoli raab

• 2 1/2 pound total combination bok choy, cabbage, turnips, eggplant, peppers, chiles and loose cloves of garlic 

 

On U-Pick this week:

If you want to come and u-pick, you can find a map of the fields and locations at the Wash Station when you arrive at the farm, denoting where to find the fields listed below. Here's what's on offer this week. 

• LOTS of Greens! Almost all the greens except the kale are on the u-pick list. 
• Turnips and turnip greens!
• Update: Tomatoes -- still a bit available, though there are not many of them. Lots of green tomatoes. This is the last week for u-picking tomatoes -- we're going to turn over the fields next week. 
• Cherry tomatoes. 
• Chiles (lots). There are, in the words of Carrie, "a million bazillion chile peppers." Please pick them!
• Celery. It has improved in the cool weather. Come pick it! 
• Swiss Chard. It will improve as the weather cools. 
• Beans are now only in C2. 
• Okra -- there's lots of okra right now. Come and pick it! Especially on a Monday or a Friday -- we want you to pick it and enjoy it. 
• Herbs: Basil (in the high tunnel). Plus Oregano, sorrel, parsley, onion chives, cilantro, stevia, lemongrass, anise, thyme, lemon balm, sage, garlic chives, mint, garlic chives. 
• As always, any flowers are always fair game.  There are a lot of nice flowers on the farm right now. 

 

A preview of what's to come:

• Chinese cabbage is coming soon. Other cabbages will come in the following weeks. 
• Sweet potatoes will show up in October, too. Likely in two weeks. 
• Toward the end of October, we'll have sunchokes. 
• Carrots will leave the share next week, but return again before the end of teh season.

Enjoy this week's share, and let us know if you have any questions about your produce or how to use it! 

Have a great week,

-- Clay

 

This Week's Share: What's in the Share Plus Save the Date for our Fall Event!

(This photo: CSA member Krossbow on Flickr)  

 

It's Tuesday, which means it's time for the share announcement! 

Here's are a few quick updates before we get to the share: 

• Honey and Garlic For Sale! As we wrote last week, honey and garlic are both for sale at the share pick-ups. Honey is $10 for a one-pound jar ($1 benefits the farm) and garlic is $5/pound. For more info on both of those, see last week's update. 

• Save the Date: Clagett Fall Picnic on Novenber 3! We're scheduling our Fall event for Saturday, November 3. This year we'll be having a picnic (previous years have been a potluck) but the event will still feature hayrides and lots of fun activities. More on that coming later this month.  

 

 And now here's what you'll find in Week 21 of the CSA:

• 1 1/2 pounds total combination of greens, including kale, spicy mix, arugula, southern giant mustard, mezuna (especially nice and mild right now), tatsoi, tender greens and bok choy

• 3 pounds total combination radish, turnips, eggplant, peppers and chiles

• 1/2 pound total combination beans, tomatoes, spinach and loose cloves of garlic

 

On U-Pick this week:

If you want to come and u-pick, you can find a map of the fields and locations at the Wash Station when you arrive at the farm, denoting where to find the fields listed below. Here's what's on offer this week. 

• Update: LOTS of Greens! Almost all the greens except the kale are on the u-pick list. 
• Turnips and turnip greens!
• Tomatoes -- still a bit available, though there are not many of them. Lots of green tomatoes.
• Cherry tomatoes. 
• Chiles (lots). There are, in the words of Carrie, "a million bazillion chile peppers." Please pick them!
• Celery. It has improved in the cool weather. Come pick it! 
• Swiss Chard. It will improve as the weather cools. 
• Beans are now only in C2. 
• Okra -- there's lots of okra right now. Come and pick it! Especially on a Monday or a Friday -- we want you to pick it and enjoy it. 
• Herbs: Basil (in the high tunnel). Plus Oregano, sorrel, parsley, onion chives, cilantro, stevia, lemongrass, anise, thyme, lemon balm, sage, garlic chives, mint, garlic chives. 
• As always, any flowers are always fair game.  There are a lot of nice flowers on the farm right now. 

 

A preview of what's to come:

• Chinese cabbage is coming next week. Other cabbages will come in the following weeks. 
• Sweet potatoes will show up in October, too. 
• Toward the end of October, we'll have sunchokes. 

 

Enjoy this week's share, and let us know if you have any questions about your produce or how to use it! 

Have a great week,

-- Clay