Newsletters-2021 July – My MN Farmer

We got RAIN!!!!

Weekly Saturday subscribers should pick up shares Saturday, July 31
Bi-Weekly and Weekly subscribers should pick up shares Tuesday, Aug. 3

We are SO happy to report water finally fell from the sky on Wednesday.
Although the radar looked pretty scary with it heading towards us with a lot of red,
we are happy to report we got more than an inch of rain.
The most difficult part of farming is the impossibility to control the weather. This season has been exceptionally tricky. In the beginning of the season when we usually have water to germinate our peas, beans, radishes, and all those other seeded crops in the field, it was so dry. We ended up having the seeds fall through the soil cracks so deep that they couldn’t germinate.
We have successfully planted a full high tunnel of beans as a secondary option. They are about a foot tall now and look amazing.
The onion starts that we planted in spring are getting big enough to harvest now. Unfortunately, there won’t be as many as we had expected because they didn’t all make it through the drought.
Despite the hard start, we are extremely excited about our squash plants, apples, tomatoes, and peppers this year. The pumpkins, butternut, kabocha, acorn, and spaghetti squash look amazing too. Here’s to a beautiful growing season despite the crazy hiccups!

Need a night out? Pizzeria 201 is featuring our broccoli on their pizza this week.

FARM NEWS

FEATURED FARMER: JONATHAN! – We are featuring one of our hardworking farmers in this week’s Farm News. Nine-year-old Jonathan, the youngest of the five Braatz boys, is a blond, curly-haired bundle of energy. Jonathan does rabbit chores on the farm, caring for the Californians the family raises. In the last picture, Jonathan is working with Farmer Jean using a machine to wrap bales. Just like people ferment food, farmers wrap certain kinds of bales to make them a healthier product for the cows. In the picture, they are wrapping the oats they planted this spring. Think of it like canning goods to preserve them, but on a much larger scale!

In Your Share Box This Week
Click on the blue links for recipe ideas.
Broccoli – Enjoy broccoli in a salad, as a vegetable side dish or on your relish tray.
Eggs – It’s another BONUS week! All produce subscribers will receive a dozen eggs in their share box. (That means our regular egg subscribers should pick up the dozen they’ve purchased and will find a second dozen in their share box.) We have such an egg bonanza that we would like to share the bounty with you! If you don’t eat eggs, please pick up your bonus dozen and bless someone else with them.
Summer Squash and or Zucchini – There are so many ways to use these versatile fruits of the garden! Sautéed with onions as a side dish? Shredded and baked in brownies or bread? As “boats” for sausage and veggie baked dinner? Shredded now and frozen for your winter baking? Seeded and chunked for your veggie tray?
Kale – Kale is a green that’s a powerhouse of nutrients. Cooked kale offers more iron per ounce than beef. Enjoy kale in salads, smoothies or make your own kale chips. Scroll down for some member-submitted kale recipes, and click here for lots more recipe ideas, or here for one of our subscriber’s favorites, a yummy kale salad with a warm cranberry vinaigrette dressing.
Onions – You will find yellow onions in your boxes this week. Use them in salads, sandwiches and main dishes.
Cherry Tomatoes (full shares) – These little gems are delicious in a salad, in Caprese bites, or just to pop in your mouth and enjoy. Here’s one of our favorite recipes.
Cucumbers – Cucumbers are such a fresh tasting complement to your salads or on a relish tray! Or try this easy recipe to enjoy their fresh crunch!
Tomatoes or Peppers – These crops have been slow to ripen, so if you don’t see them in your boxes this week, look forward to seeing them soon!
Surprises! – Depending on weather conditions and what’s ripe and ready, you may receive some surprises in your box this week!

NOTE: We make every effort to pack into your box the items listed in this email. However, as farming is dependent on weather and growing conditions, we sometimes get surprises and pass them on to you. This list is our best guesstimate. You may not receive every item listed AND you may receive some surprises that were not listed. Please be assured we have packed into your box the value you’ve paid even if the items don’t exactly match the items listed in this email. Thank you for your understanding!

Potato Salad Time!
What’s your favorite potato salad recipe? Ours features our own farm fresh eggs. Use your BONUS eggs in a potato salad recipe this week and send along your recipe to share. Email recipes to [email protected].

There’s still time to order beef, chicken, pork, hot dogs, sausage, hamburger patties, hot beef, vegetables, eggs and granola and much more to be delivered TO YOUR DOOR Thursday, Aug. 5.
Deadline for ordering is 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4.

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!

ALL Saturday subscribers should pick up shares Saturday, July 24,
Only Weekly subscribers should pick up shares Tuesday, July 27,

It’s tomato trellising time! Our indeterminate tomatoes will grow and grow and grow, so they need to be trellised to support them for good air flow and easier harvesting. Farmer Jean, Joshua, Sam and Andy worked hard Wednesday morning to attach the strings and clips that will support the plants as they grow. In the bottom picture, Sam shows off a large heirloom tomato.

FARM NEWS

Miss Ellie had surgery for her broken arm last Friday. She is proving to be a tough little farm girl and is handling this new challenge like a trooper. She happily demonstrates that she can wiggle her fingers and make an “o” with her fingers and thumb on her right hand, all good signs that healing is taking place. The first photo was was taken during the stop at the drug store on the way home after surgery. In the other she’s back at the farm munching on some delicious kale. Thanks for the prayers and good thoughts offered this past week!

In Your Share Box This Week
Click on the blue links for recipe ideas.
Broccoli – Enjoy broccoli in a salad, as a vegetable side dish or on your relish tray.
Summer Squash or Zucchini – There are so many ways to use these versatile fruits of the garden! Sautéed with onions as a side dish? Shredded and baked in brownies or bread? As “boats” for sausage and veggie baked dinner? Shredded now and frozen for your winter baking? Seeded and chunked for your veggie tray? Or even Zucchini Tots? Enjoy!
Swiss/Rainbow Chard – Chard is great to sauté or stir-fry. For evenest cooking, remove the colored ribs/stems from the leaves, then chop the stems and start cooking them before you add the chopped leaves. Chard can also be eaten raw in salads. If eaten raw, complement its earthy flavor with apples, raisings or dried cranberries.

You may also find the following in your boxes…
Beets – Enjoy beets boiled and eaten with butter, salt and pepper or shredded to make beet cake. Need tips for beet preparation? Click here.
Kale – Kale is a green that’s a powerhouse of nutrients. Cooked kale offers more iron per ounce than beef. Enjoy kale in salads, smoothies or make your own kale chips. Scroll down for some member-submitted kale recipes, and click here for lots more recipe ideas.
Cabbage – Use your cabbage for coleslaw or cabbage rolls. Or steam, add butter, and enjoy a tasty side dish!
Surprises! – Depending on weather conditions and what’s ripe and ready, you may receive some surprises in your box this week!

NOTE: We make every effort to pack into your box the items listed in this email. However, as farming is dependent on weather and growing conditions, we sometimes get surprises and pass them on to you. This list is our best guesstimate. You may not receive every item listed AND you may receive some surprises that were not listed. Please be assured we have packed into your box the value you’ve paid even if the items don’t exactly match the items listed in this email. Thank you for your understanding!

It’s Grilling Season!
Looking for some protein to complement your summer meal? Did you know you can order beef, chicken, pork, lamb, hot dogs, brats, hot beef and sausage from My Minnesota Farmer? Click below to visit our online store! Orders placed now will be delivered to your door Aug. 5.
Visit My MN Farmer’s online store to make your protein selections!

We make deliveries of a la carte items TO YOUR DOOR the FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH. Click below to order eggs, meat, produce, granola or maple syrup to be delivered to your door Thursday, Aug. 5. Deadline for ordering is 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4.

Order NOW for delivery to your door Thursday, August 5

Vacation Fun … Now Back to Work!

On Saturday, July 17, only Saturday Weekly subscribers should pick up shares.
On Tuesday, July 6, ALL Tuesday subscribers should pick up shares.

Your Minnesota Farmers enjoyed time at the lake and the wedding of close friends during their scheduled mid-summer break. Now back to business. Look for some delicious produce in your share box this week!

FARM NEWS

Sad News. Our littlest farmer, Ellie, age 6-1/2, broke her right arm badly in a fall from a swing set Wednesday evening. Mommy Jean has stepped into the role of nurse as the family and doctors figure out a treatment plan for Ellie.The rest of the family farmers will be helping out even more than usual with Mommy Jean being so busy.

Ellie is a resilient little girl and is facing what’s to come like a trooper, but we appreciate any prayers you’d be willing to offer as we take steps toward healing our little girl.

In Your Share Box This Week
Click on the blue links for recipe ideas.
One Dozen Eggs – It’s another BONUS week! All produce subscribers will receive a dozen eggs in their share box. (That means our regular egg subscribers should pick up the dozen they’ve purchased and will find a second dozen in their share box.) We have such an egg bonanza that we would like to share the bounty with you! If you don’t eat eggs, please pick up your bonus dozen and bless someone else with them. Need more ideas for using your eggs? Click here!
Kale – Kale is a green that’s a powerhouse of nutrients. Cooked kale offers more iron per ounce than beef. Enjoy kale in salads, smoothies or make your own kale chips. Scroll down for some member-submitted kale recipes, and click here for lots more recipe ideas.
Bok Choy – Bok Choy leaves work well for wraps and the base can be used like celery. The greens can also be used as a substitute for lettuce, chopped up and sautéed, or used in soups or stews.
Red or Green Kohlrabi – Kohlrabi is a tasty treat when you’re looking for a yummy crunch! Cut off the outside and slice to eat fresh. Can also be grilled or added to salads. Check out these recipe ideas, too! See the link above for more ideas for using this versatile vegetable.
Cucumbers – Cucumbers are great in a salad, on a sandwich, or shredded to make cucumber bread.
Broccoli – Enjoy broccoli in a salad, as a vegetable side dish or on your relish tray.
Cabbage – It looks like the cabbage may be ready for the boxes this week. If so, you can use your cabbage for coleslaw or cabbage rolls. Or steam, add butter and enjoy a tasty side dish!
Surprises! – Depending on weather conditions and what’s ripe and ready, you may receive some surprises in your box this week!

NOTE: We make every effort to pack into your box the items listed here. However, as farming is dependent on weather and growing conditions, we sometimes get surprises and pass them on to you. This list is our best guesstimate. You may not receive every item listed AND you may receive some surprises that were not listed. Please be assured we have packed into your box the value you’ve paid even if the items don’t exactly match the items here. Thank you for your understanding!

It’s Grilling Season!
Looking for some protein to complement your summer meal? Did you know you can order beef, chicken, pork, lamb, hot dogs, brats, hot beef and sausage from My Minnesota Farmer? Click below to visit our online store! Deliveries can be made to your drop site on your delivery day OR to your door Aug. 5.
Visit My Minnesota Farmer’s online store to make your protein selections!

WE NEED EGG CARTONS!
Do you have extra egg cartons? Our happy chickens are so busy laying eggs, we are running short of egg cartons! If you have extra egg cartons, please drop them off at your drop site when you pick up your share. They are much appreciated!
THANK YOU!

Order here for delivery to your door Thursday, August 5

Rain, rain and more rain!

On Saturday, July 3, only Weekly subscribers should pick up shares.
On Tuesday, July 6, Weekly and B-Weekly subscribers should pick up shares.

This week’s rain – 3 inches over 3 days – is so appreciated! Though our Saturday farmers market last week was pretty much a washout and Farmer Jean had to hide out in the truck for a while, our fields are looking better and our high tunnels continue to thrive (as is evidenced by our beautiful garlic harvest this year). Good eating ahead!

Where’s the Beef?
Looking for some protein to complement your summer meal? Did you know you can order beef, chicken, pork, lamb, hot dogs, brats, hot beef and sausage from My Minnesota Farmer? Click below to visit our online store! Deliveries can be made to your drop site on your delivery day OR to your door Aug. 5.
Visit My MN Farmer’s online store to make your protein selections

In Your Share Box This Week
Click on the blue links for recipe ideas.
One Dozen Eggs – It’s another BONUS week! All produce subscribers will receive a dozen eggs in their share box. (That means our regular egg subscribers should pick up the dozen they’ve purchased and will find a second dozen in their share box.) We have such an egg bonanza that we would like to share the bounty with you! If you don’t eat eggs, please pick up your bonus dozen and bless someone else with them. Need more ideas for using your eggs? Click here!
Kale – Kale is a green that’s a powerhouse of nutrients. Cooked kale offers more iron per ounce than beef. Enjoy kale in salads, smoothies or make your own kale chips. Scroll down for some member-submitted kale recipes, and click here for lots more recipe ideas.
Lettuce – Subscribers will receive green leaf (Two Star) lettuce in their box this week.
Garlic – Garlic adds depth and flavor to your dishes. Enjoy it in your casseroles, garlic roasted or mashed potatoes or grill the cloves with your grilled veggies.
Red or Green Kohlrabi – Kohlrabi is a tasty treat when you’re looking for a yummy crunch! Cut off the outside and slice to eat fresh. Can also be grilled or added to salads. Check out these recipe ideas, too! See the link above for more ideas for using this versatile vegetable.
Surprises! – Depending on weather conditions and what’s ripe and ready, you may receive some surprises in your box this week!

Kale, Kale, the Kale’s all Here!

As stated above, you’ll receive kale in your box this week. Our kale fields are BEAUTIFUL this year, lush and abundant, so if you like kale, this is your year! Certain crops thrive in particular weather conditions, and it appears our current conditions have made the kale very happy!
One member summitted a delicious Kale Salad recipe (pictured above) with a sweet, savory vinaigrette dressing. Find the recipe here.
Below is another favorite recipe for kale – a kale smoothie. It is so great to add this superfood to your morning beverage.

WE NEED EGG CARTONS!
Do you have extra egg cartons? Our happy chickens are so busy laying eggs, we are running short of egg cartons! If you have extra egg cartons, please drop them off at your drop site when you pick up your share. They are much appreciated!
THANK YOU!

Order here for delivery to your door Thursday, Aug 5.