9/8/17 - Week 13 - "Work Song"

Work Song Part II - A Vision (Epilogue)

If we will have the wisdom to survive,
to stand like slow growing trees
on a ruined place, renewing, enriching it…
then a long time after we are dead
the lives our lives prepare will live
there, their houses strongly placed
upon the valley sides…

The river will run
clear, as we will never know it…
On the steeps where greed and ignorance cut down
the old forest, an old forest will stand,
its rich leaf-fall drifting on its roots.

The veins of forgotten springs will have opened.
Families will be singing in the fields…
Memory,
native to this valley, will spread over it
like a grove, and memory will grow
into legend, legend into song, song
into sacrament. The abundance of this place,
the songs of its people and its birds,
will be health and wisdom

and indwelling light. 

This is no paradisal dream.
Its hardship is its reality.

by Wendell Berry

(From "New and Collected Poems", Counterpoint Press) 

*********

See you in the fields, 

Kayta and David

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THIS WEEKS HARVEST: Yukon Gold Potatoes, Cured Cabernet Red Onions, Scallions, Heirloom Tomatoes and New Girl Tomatoes, Krimzon Lee Hot Peppers, Sweet Peppers, Summer Squash, Loose Radishes and Hakurei Turnips, Striped Armenian Cucumbers, Italian Eggplant, Chanterais Melons, Cauliflower, Murdoch Cabbage, Chioggia Beets, Rainbow Carrots, Celery, Red Russian Kale, Dino Kale, Arugula, Bok Choi, Summer Crisp and Little Gem Lettuces

U-PICK in the GARDEN: Pesto Basil, Amethyst Beans, Dragon Tongue Romano Beans, Frying Peppers, Padrones, Jalapeños, Husk Cherries, Strawberry snacks, all herbs and flowers. No limit on Dahlias. 

U-PICK on the FARM: Cherry Tomatoes (unlimited)

Canning Tomato Gleaning: If you're interested in going through the rows of canning tomatoes to collect enough for canning, please talk to Kayta or I and we'll point you to the right spot.

PRESERVING OPPORTUNITIES:

  • No Limit Green Beans: Now is a great chance to put up some green beans. The old succession of Amethyst Green Beans (the purple ones) and the new succession of Dragon Tongue Beans are both loaded. Go for it!
  • PestoThere is a ton of Genovese Italian Basil in the garden ready to be retired into pesto. If you're interested in harvesting large quantities of basil to make into pesto, you can harvest entire plants from the first planting of basil located right as you walk in the garden gate. If you're unsure which plants these are, please check in with us, or another member, before picking. There is a newer succession of picking basil in the eastern half of the garden amongst the new cosmo flowers.
  • Cabbages: We'll continue to have an abundance of cabbage this week for all you kraut lovers. Cabbages don't have to fit in your bag and you may take as many as you'll use. Check out Week 10's newsletter for our favorite simple kraut recipe.
  • Pickling Cucumbers U-Pick: Pickling cukes are now u-pick. We'll show you where they are in the field!

FARMSTORE & CREAMERY:

In our barn: 

Hawk Hill Homemade Sourdough Bread: Fresh bread will returns this Saturday. Frozen loaves are available the white freezer in our barn.

In the creamery:

  • EGGS! The hens at Hands Full Farm have resumed laying and you can find eggs for sale again in the creamery (silver) fridge on your right as you enter.
  • Dairy to pick-up milk and cheese raised and crafted right here on the land, join the Bramble Tail Herdshare program. For details, email Aubrie at brambletailhomestead@gmail.com
  • Beef Bramble Tail is also taking pre-orders for special beef cuts from steers raised on the land. If you'd like to reserve beef, send Aubrie an email brambletailhomestead@gmail.com. Beef should be ready in the creamery in about a week.
  • Whole Chickens from Parade the Land in Graton are in the freezer in the back of the creamery
  • Firefly Chocolates
  • Herbal Remedies by Aubrie