7th Week of the 2013 Season

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admin

It seemed that this growing season was never going to get started after the month-long postponement at the beginning, due to weather conditions that just wouldn’t allow the garden to get growing. Now, we’re 7 weeks into the season and the garden is looking beautiful and we don’t even have weeds the size of trees like we did near the end of our season in SC. The tractor and The Farmer’s diligence to hoe the rows are definitely to thank. Our pork is almost completely sold out and the egg production has been slow, but in a few months (Lord willing), we’ll have PLENTY of eggs to sell. Until then, we’re fortunate to offer a dozen each weekend. It happens when you lose over 50 laying hens in a couple of weeks after moving to a new location full of predators! One of our new coops is overflowing with young pullets who are going to start laying in just a couple of  months. Our incubator has been busy hatching out all sorts of eggs from quail to laying chickens to guinneas. We’ve got a batch of laying chicken eggs in the incubator now for some of our friends over in South Carolina and may put another 30 or so in to stagger the ages of our chickens here. If we had duck eggs, we’d put those in next, because we are down to 2 ducks after letting the sweet things free on the ponds. 9 ducks “disappeared” in 2 days and there are only 2 survivors left. We have been locking the last 2 up at night, because the raccoon, oppossums, and foxes (and coyotes, hawks and owls) are in abundance around here. We might as well open up a wildlife refuge… except that we’re trying to raise a domesticated-animal refuge and those two don’t quite mix. Unless we were raising chickens to feed to the foxes, which we are not.

Our jungle fowl hen hatched out 8 biddies a couple of days ago and they are doing well as they scratch and peck around the house. We do have some ‘pet’ chickens, believe it or not. In fact, after our silkie hen lost her husband to a raccoon, she raised her biddies and went broody again, with nothing to sit on. So, we finally put half a dozen Ameraucana eggs underneath her, so that she could hatch them out also. I guess she’s our “no electricity needed” incubator. It will be fun to see her teaching her biddies, who will no doubt be twice her size when they grow up.

The Farmer harvested Tupelo honey from our bee hives last week and we are thrilled to offer raw Tupelo honey for sale this coming weekend. The cost for the Tupelo is a little more than we charge for the Chinese Tallow, because we have a smaller supply and we wouldn’t mind keeping it all to ourselves. The Tupelo flow is only a couple of weeks a year and we have to take advantage of it. We have some honey bottled and ready to go in 2lb containers that include a pound of honeycomb and a pound of honey and it is DELICIOUS and BEAUTIFUL!!! I love, love, love honey and honey bees. The Farmer and I fell in love over a bee hive. Hmmm… Seems like another blog for another time.

Since this post is supposed to inform you of what our CSA members received in their shares, here it is: Sweet Valentine Romaine Lettuce, Yellow Summer Squash, Broccoli, Turnips, Red and Yellow Onions and a couple of Watermelon, Black Spanish or Daikon Radishes. The onions all had dirt clinging to them in true Urbanna fashion and the Turnips were ‘weigh your own,’ which I really love, because the scale that we purchased from a local restaurant supply store is getting lots of use.

Finally, if you didn’t get a chance to see these links on our facebook page, please take a look now. Our sweet friends came out to the farm and captured some great moments and photos for you to enjoy:

http://elizathornberryworld.tumblr.com/post/50195002908/today-started-off-marvelously-matts-birthday

http://elizathornberryworld.tumblr.com/post/50196313104/someone-that-is-really-fun-to-watch-at-the-farm-is

Sincerely,
The Farmer’s Wife

 

Share
Categories: The Garden, What's In Your Box | Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off

Recipes Aren’t My Specialty

Posted on May 13, 2013 by admin

I’m realizing more  and more that as much as I love the idea of posting awesome recipes with gorgeous photos to boot, I’m just not there yet. Starting a farm from scratch is one thing. Raising children is another. Taking care of the household is another. Preparing homemade, nourishing meals is another. Doing all things well is another. I’m not quite as accomplished as I’d like to imagine. In fact, a few weeks ago we had some close friends out for Sunday brunch and while I was busy making pie crusts and assembling ingredients for a million quiches, I realized exactly why I don’t (yet) post more recipes with gorgeous photos to boot. Maybe it was the toy trucks on the table or the chaos in the mix of ingredients or the fact that I decided to do all steps at once instead of in order, but whatever it was, I have proof that recipes aren’t my specialty:

Share
Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off

Saturday #6

Posted on May 11, 2013 by admin

Today was a ‘weigh your own red, yellow and purple new potatoes’ kind of day and for some it was a dig up your own new potatoes kind of day. After realizing that the potatoes didn’t quite stretch this morning (apparently the baskets were a bit heavier than we realized after the original weigh-in), I asked The Farmer to come help Ty and Jessica (namer of Josie the baby donkey) and their family to dig up their potatoes. I don’t think they minded too much, but I knew I was out of my league when I stuck my hands in the soil and couldn’t find a single potato. I needed ‘the professional’s’ help. :) We had some sweet visitors out this morning, which always makes us happy and a couple of families came out that were interested in learning more about CSA and what it’s all about. I answered some great questions to the best of my ability and passed the rest off to Farmer/Professional/Andy, because frankly, I don’t have all the answers.

Potatoes, Collards, Romaine & Bibb Lettuce, Sugar Snap Peas and Red & Yellow Onions were in store this week and as the weather changes, so will the menu. The herb garden boasted Rosemary, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Pineapple Sage, Bronze Fennel and Mint and The Farmer helped those who were interested in fresh herbs. As the herb garden grows the herbs will be a free for all, but for now, we’re regulating just a little bit to be sure that everything thrives.

We fried bacon, new potatoes and eggs last night for dinner and they brought back so many memories of the 30ft camper that we lived in at Don and Susan’s backyard, while we learned the ropes under their guidance. We seemed to have a lot of eggs and potatoes back then and I love the taste, smell, texture of these baby potatoes. SO GOOD!

I dare to mention that the ducks are now completely free to wander wherever they so choose and they survived their first night in the wild. I also dare to mention that I think the goats might have helped keep any preying foxes away from the ducks, since they all seem to congregate in the same area, near the pigs and chickens. Goats!?! Did I say goats? I did. The Farmer had a miraculous change of heart and despite his vowing that we were never having goats again, we do, in fact have goats again. 2 beautiful Nubian does are here with us and they are both milking and both getting acclimated to their new environment and before I forget… TODAY IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

Sincerely,

Melissa Anne (The Farmer’s Wife)

 

Share
Categories: Heirloom Herbs, Life On The Farm, What's In Your Box | Tags: , , , | Comments Off

Saturday #5

Posted on May 4, 2013 by admin

It’s hard to believe that we are already into our 5th week here for our CSA. WOW! As Elijah is napping and the rain is falling and The Farmer is relocating the pigs, so that he can relocate the chickens and I’m dreaming about a clean kitchen (the dishes are dirty which usually happens at least 3 times a day) and some delicious food. I was surprised that so many CSA members stuck around the farm this morning, since the weather more or less left the place a mud hole and was even a bit chilly. However, what a morning we had. By mid-morning, E was soaked to the bone and somewhat miserable, so his granddad brought him to the house, where they watched Westerns and ate bananas. Andy and I stayed out at the pick-up spot and ate pickled radishes and pickled sugar snap peas and watched the kids acquire more and more mud on themselves as they played, fell, kissed pigs, held ducks and just congregated around the veggies.

We had a really nice harvest yesterday, so all of our members got to take home more sugar snap peas, radishes, turnips, arugula, kale, mixed lettuce, yellow spring onions and a choice of mustard greens, swiss chard or extra lettuce. We’re looking forward to new potatoes next week and a feast with some creative new meals this week. I love hearing how inspired our CSA members are to try new things or search new recipes. I was also surprised that we didn’t have a ton of radishes left over after today’s pick-up. In fact, there weren’t any leftover, which might be because everyone wants to make radish wreaths after Olive’s recipe post, or maybe try their hand at pickling. Either way, this might be the year of the radish. Last year was the year of kale.

I suppose I should go wash the lunch dishes or see if The Farmer and ‘Grand-dad’ need help relocating the pigs or take a nap… Hope you have an excellent weekend and I’ll leave you with the photo from Casa De Harrell of browned butter turnips and radishes that was a big hit on our facebook page.

Compliments of Casa de Harrell

 

~The Farmer’s Wife

Share
Categories: What's In Your Box | Comments Off

Olive You: Recipes from the Farmer’s Sister

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

Hello, Urbanna CSA Members!
It’s great to be back blogging from Atlanta about creative ways to consume all that the good farm has to offer! This is my first post since the new season and so much is happening. The NEW and IMPROVED Urbanna Farm is just gorgeous. We were able to visit recently and really enjoyed the entire place. And now I hear there is a Pick-Your-Own Herb Garden. I’ve always wanted one of those.

I also hear you’ve begun receiving produce and that there is an abundance of radishes. What a pretty and surprising treat those are! I love their texture, color, crunch and kick of spice. Personally, I cannot think of a radish without thinking of our mother who just adores a simple plate of these gems. Mom just had them halved with salt.  With this first recipe I’ve expanded on that idea by adding some flavored salts and butter. (Mom being a HUGE fan of butter would be proud, I’m sure.)

Radishes with Butter and Flavored Salts

Perfect for a party or some elegant snacking! The variations are endless.


Image Courtesy of Martha Stewart

INGREDIENTS
Coarse Salt
Paprika
Cayenne
Toasted and ground seeds of Fennel, Cumin or Coriander
Salted Butter, softened
Radishes

INSTRUCTIONS
Wash and trim radishes, set aside. Toast 2-3 teaspoons seeds of choice to 1/2 C of coarse salt by first toasting seeds in a pan until fragrant, then grinding in coffee grinder. Mix into coarse salt and place in bowls. 1-2 teaspoons of paprika and cayenne can be mixed with 1/2 cup of salt for a spicier addition. Place softened butter into bowl. Have fun dipping your radishes from butter to salts and back again!

 

Radish Greens Soup

Since your radishes come with greens you could use them for a delicious Spring soup.
This is a variation from Joy of Cooking cookbook.


Image Courtesy of Taste of Beirut

INGREDIENTS
4 T butter
1 lg. onion, diced
2 C radish greens
6 medium baking potatoes, diced
4.5 C chicken stock
1 C Greek yogurt or heavy cream (try the yogurt!)
salt & pepper to taste
5 radishes, grated

INSTRUCTIONS
In medium stockpot, melt butter. Stir in onions and saute until transparent. Add radish greens and cook until wilted. Add the stock and potatoes and cook until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Then, working in batches, pass the soup through a food processor until desired consistency is reached. Return soup to bowl and bring to simmer before serving. Garnish with grated radish.

 

Sauteed Radishes and Sugar Snaps with Dill

Here’s a great Radish Salad recipe from the Smitten Kitchen.


Image Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

To remove strings from fresh peas, just snap off the stem end and pull string lengthwise down each pod.

Makes 6 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
12 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed, strings removed
2 cups thinly sliced radishes (about 1 large bunch)
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon dill seeds
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

INSTRUCTIONS
Melt butter with oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add sugar snap peas, cook for one to two minutes, and radishes sauteing until crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Add orange juice and dill seeds; stir 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in chopped dill. Transfer to bowl; serve.

 

If you’ve had your fill of radishes for the season you will miss them soon, believe me. So why not pickle and can the suckers? Just slice them, add some red wine vinegar, some sugar and a bit of salt and set to canning. Get creative! Here’s a link on how to can, which can be essential as a CSA member who wants to enjoy the seasonal goodness year round!

And, lastly, if you have just so many, they make for charming table decoration. Ha!

 

Image Courtesy of The Kitchn

We are such a huge fans of Urbanna and the entire philosophy of eating local, organic food that we’ve even joined a CSA here in Atlanta just to support the cause. There are so many benefits. The joy of eating food with a ton of flavor. Learning how to prepare foods that we might otherwise overlook at the market simply from habit. Knowing the farmers! Personally, I’ve discovered that this year my usually severe allergies have been pretty mild. From eating LOCAL! I imagine you, dear member, are enjoying many of the same benefits.

So feast on and I will be posting again soon!
XO,

Olive

Share
Categories: Recipe, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Turnips, Betsy and Sugar Snap Peas

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

Sugar Snap Peas are falling off the vines… kind of. We actually have to pick them, but we had pounds and pounds and pounds of them last week and I’m so glad, because I love to munch on their crunchy sweet pods. MMmmmm… We were diligent to pick the peas on time this year, since we lost the entire crop to bitterness last season, due to late picking. We also had turnips for the first time this season and when we added those to the the radishes, which were just as beautiful as ever and the romaine and bibb lettuce, which hopefully will make some incredible salads or wraps for our CSA members, then I think we’re good to go.

Oh Turnips!!! (Emily's Photo Skills)

Radishes, captured by Emily's Eye;)

I realized that I still had food from the week before in our fridge, so I need to get serious about using it all. I crave the fresh farm food when it’s not in season, then I forget about it when it’s available at my finger tips. Not too awesome for the wife of the man who pours his blood, sweat and tears into growing it all.  Actually, we have had some awesome meals here lately and so much of it is produced on the farm. I love being able to say, ‘yep, that’s local. and that. and that. in fact, the whole meal was made with 100% Urbanna Farm ingredients.’ Oh, that’s good stuff.

Lucy & Betsy (Emily's Photo)

We let Betsy, our Flemish Giant rabbit spend some time with the kids this week. She is super sweet and still has a lot of growing to do, since she’s only a few months old. Who knows, what animal, pet or other crazy thing we’ll pull out of our hats next Saturday. Maybe we’ll have a weeding party! WOO HOO!!!!!!! Hope you all have a great week! I’ll be cleaning the dump truck load of dirt that the little farmer dumped on the living room floor or weeding the herb garden, if you stop by. The Farmer told me the weeds aren’t going to pull themselves, when he caught me staring at them last week.

~Melissa Anne (The Farmer’s Wife)

Share
Categories: Life On The Farm, The Garden, What's In Your Box | Tags: , , , | Comments Off

3rd Week is a Charm

Posted on April 20, 2013 by admin

The skies poured out crazy rain and the temps dropped overnight, making for an overcast, ‘I want to stay in bed all day’ kind of morning (at least for me). However, as The Farmer, Elijah and I were eating breakfast and heading out of the front door to the garden/pick-up hut, I got more and more excited to see everyone. We decided to bring some little chicks out for the children to hold (ducklings next week, if it’s warmer) and we sat down and waited and chatted and waited some more. Rad showed up first (as usual) and we confessed having kind of a rough morning. Maybe it was the weather, maybe it was my selfishness, but whatever it was, a couple hours later, everything seemed completely peaceful and exhilarating.

I didn’t expect such a peaceful morning. I expected a lot more mud and chaos, but what a joy this morning was. To see old friends and new CSA members. To follow the rhythym of good conversations, receipt writing , swing pushing, talking about new recipes and new seasons is something that I hope I never grow tired of. To see a little girl, with an owl hat on her head and green frog boots on her feet, jump out of her family’s vehicle and proceed to call me ‘Lisa’ all morning and to pick up chicks on her own and ask what their names are and just be the little firecracker with curly blonde ringlets that she is, brings me so much joy. To see another little one with a cute bandaid on her forehead, who is always so sweet and kind, tell me so matter-of-factly that she itched her forehead too much just cracks me up. To see new couples and veterans, singles and marrieds, parents and childrenless, farm lovers and food lovers all come together for just a few hours each Saturday morning enriches my life!

I care about the food. Believe me, I do. But, I care about the people more. I care about their lives. Their joys, their struggles, their hopes, dreams, goals, fears, triumphs and challenges. I love to hear their stories. To see their lives changing for better or for worse. To see them. To know them. It’s all a huge priviledge that I’m oh so thankful to experience. To see someone’s grandchildren, to see a week old precious little girl and her amazingly strong and beautiful mother, to watch an engaged couple tromping out to see the donkeys, to see our loving neighbor, to see the amazing little boy that I used to spend so much time with as his babysitter, to see friends that I’ve known for years and those that I’ve only met in the last few weeks, is all a priviledge.

So, even though the sugar snap peas and romaine lettuce weren’t ready to eat this week and I decided to never write another word about a future harvest on our old, rusty refrigerator door chalkboard again, we still had a beautiful harvest and more winter, leafy green goodness to enjoy before the weather gets too hot to grow a good salad or pan of sauteed greens. This week’s share included radishes (time for me to roast some-I think today is a fine day to turn on the oven and warm up the house), red mustard greens, arugula, mixed lettuces and a choice of kale or collard greens. This week also included some lessons in humility, patience, gratitude and forgiveness (at least for me).

Sincerely,

The Farmer’s Wife

Share
Categories: it takes a village, Life On The Farm, What's In Your Box | Tags: | Comments Off

There was a Farmer who had a donk…ey

Posted on April 17, 2013 by admin

And JOSIE was her name…ey

After a good old fashioned game of post the name on the donkey, The Farmer chose ‘Josie.’ Despite Elijah’s vote for ‘Khaki’ and my vote for ‘Anita Bonita’ and the other amazing entries like: ‘Theodora Little Neck Williams’, ‘Grazerella’, ‘Bill’ (someone didn’t get the ‘it’s a girl!’ memo or didn’t care), ‘Annabru’, ‘Pobrecita Bonita’, ‘Burrita’, ‘Daisy’, ‘Daisy Mae’, ‘Maria Mae’ and many, many more, The Farmer narrowed it down and went out to talk to his little pet and the name ‘Josie’ stuck. So, friends, CSA members, family, and neighbors, now you can call our little donkey girl with the fully grown ears by her proper name: Josie!

Share
Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off

Saturday Morning

Posted on April 14, 2013 by admin

Saturday morning was another beauty here in Savannah. The gnats were a bit out of control and the coconut/himalayan cedarwood oil combo was a big hit, to keep those pesky bugs from biting. Aside from the bugs, we really enjoyed seeing some of our favorite people and sharing the harvest this week, which included: Dinosaur Kale, Georgia Collards, Valentine’s Day Mixed Radish bunches and a ‘wild card’ of Rainbow Lights Swiss Chard, Curly Kale or extra Georgia Collards. I’ve missed the leafy greens, since I have the hardest time buying any lettuce or greens from the grocery stores, knowing that they are inferior in quality, freshness and flavor, so I’ve held out, waiting for the first from the farm. I need to do some research on preparing the radish greens, so that we can try some new fare here on the farm. Last year, we didn’t give ourselves a share of the produce, so we’re definitely sharing in the experience along with our members and I must admit, it’s enjoyable.

We had a donkey naming ‘contest’ and had post-it notes with pens for our CSA members to write their name nominations and ‘post’ them on the masterpiece donkey drawing. The Farmer chose the name that really stuck after much deliberation. We’ll announce her new name a little later. :)

After the pick-up, The Farmer drove a few miles down the road to check on some of our bee hives on the Ogeechee River. The Tupelo honey flow has started and since the flow only lasts for 2 weeks, we have to take advantage of it. The Farmer noticed that the very first hive he opened was completely full of uncapped honey (and brood), so he drove to Harold (friend, bee mentor, awesome all-around guy) and Helen’s to put together some more boxes, so that the bees would have more room to bring in more nectar. He had a bit of a fiasco with a honey bee queen and a queenless hive, so after a second trip to Harold’s and a LONG afternoon, the hives are now set to collect more nectar and make more honey for the time being. Whew, what an ‘earful.’ Have a great day!!!!!!! :)

Share
Categories: What's In Your Box | Tags: , , | Comments Off

Our 1st On-Farm Pick-up EVER!!!

Posted on April 8, 2013 by admin

*photo by Emily

Friends, I’m still reminiscing about the delicious arugula salad that we had for lunch on Saturday afternoon and about the incredible Saturday morning that just passed. We had a great time! As you may know, after moving the farm to Savannah in December, we decided to nix the Hull Park CSA delivery and offer on-farm pick-up for our members to see how and where their food is grown. A couple of days ago we made Urbanna Farm history as we offered the very first on-farm pick-up EVER and we had a blast. Okay, let’s be completely honest, we were nervous. We were praying for everything to go smoothly. We were a wee bit anxious. We didn’t know what exactly to expect. We were thrilled.

*photo by Emily

We are thankful that we have some of the most supportive friends and members in the world!!! After harvesting and rinsing the veggies on a cold, dreary, rainy Friday we were pleased to see the gorgeous weather waiting for us on Saturday. While The Farmer was doing Saturday morning chores he noticed a new addition in the donkey pen. A BABY DONKEY!!! That is the kind of stuff that makes us so excited to have our CSA members see for themselves. The little donkey was only about an hour old when we discovered her, so she was a big hit. We’ll have to come up with circus acts for the rest of the season if we’re going to keep up the excitement.

*photo by Emily

We were able to meet new faces and show off the lovely bamboo and billboard tarp pick-up area, along with the herb garden fence mural and so much more. Our CSA members have helped us put it all together and we are thankful! If the rest of the season is as full and rich as the first pick up then we’re in for an awesome year! After the crop and weather delays we were discouraged, but despite the seemingly huge setbacks, we’ve still been blessed with food. This week, we offered arugula, red mustard greens, beautiful mixed lettuce and radishes. As the season progresses, we hope to add a lot of variety and bounty to the shares each week. Sautéed arugula with our fresh eggs and sausage was our fare on Sunday morning and I’m eager to see the recipes that Olive posts for some more ideas. Okay, well I better get back to work, but I just wanted to share a bit of my excitement about the hope of an amazing season!

~The Farmer’s Wife

*Photo by Emily

 

Share
Categories: Life On The Farm, What's In Your Box | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off