Heavens Harvest Farm Newsletter
July 7, 2008	Volume 3
Produce: Romaine Lettuce Red Boston Lettuce Surprise farm pick –if available Green Cabbage Bok Choi Zucchini-traditional green or Casta Romensca(heirloom) Eight Ball Zucchini Yellow Squash Coosa –Near Eastern Squash Collards-Bunched Basil-Bunched Pickling Cucumbers Scallions-Bunched Chives Parsley Due to availability not all shares will have the exact same contents.	Greetings from the farm, Finally, some consistent weather! (Even though we have been crushed by enormous amounts of rain, we are still thankful that we reside in New England and not the Mid-West, where many farmers are out of business for the year and many will lose they farms or sink even deeper into all consuming dept.) For all of you CSA members we give you our thanks. Please remember that produce availability is subject to many weekly and seasonal variables like pests, weather and others. Other farmers that we are friends with have had to harrow whole fields of crops that have been blighted by mold from the rains, or inundated by pests because natural remedies wash off too easy in rainy weather. It is hard to farm but we love it no matter what! All of us love what we do. We just want you to know some of the real-life struggles that farmers experience growing healthy, organic produce. Blueberries, carrots, and beans probably for next week! Hope you all had a Happy 4^th! Please send to your fellow CSA members and to us any favorite recipes using this weeks goodies. We are working to allow for each newsletter to be archived as well as recipes. From the farm – God Bless You Ashley & Ethel Scallions- Also called green onions, scallions have a mild, sweet flavor; raw or cooked, they can be used in a variety of dishes. Scallions are young onions that are harvested when their tops are still green. Although they are available all year, scallions are at their peak in spring and summer. Refrigerate in a sealed plastic bag, and use within three days. Cut away wilted parts from the tops, trim the roots from the bulb and wash. Besides being higher than other onions in folate and potassium, scallions provide a significant amount of beta-carotene! Basil derived its name from Greek basileus which means “king”. This is because it has a royal fragrance. Basil is one of the most popular culinary herb, used the world over for its aroma and flavor. The herb is native to Asia and has a strong, pungent and sweet smell. Store it in the refrigerator by wrapping it in a slightly damp paper towel. The constituents found in basil are used for various medical purposes. Flavonoids is one of the important nutrient component found in basil that provides protection at the cellular level. Orientin and vicenin are two water-soluble flavonoids that have a positive effect on white blood cells. Basil is also a good source of magnesium which prompts muscles and blood vessels to relax, this helps in promoting cardiovascular health. CSA Guidelines 1. Please leave box week to week and break down/fold up. 2. Please return plastic t-shirt bags to recycle if you wish. 3. Go to heavensharvestfarm.com for newsletter (usually ready by 2 p.m. every Monday!). 4. Any comments, suggestions, etc. please put into a kind-hearted frame-work and send along to the farm email. 5. Be prompt in picking up at your CSA site! Product is perishable! Even though it is refrigerated before hand. 6. Remember that this is a Consumer Supported Agriculture project through an actual living, producing, certified organic farm. Your share will reflect the best we can offer from our farm and our two sister farms who, comprise Happy Valley Organics who are a large supplier for Whole Foods and many others. But, product availability will always be sufficient to provide for your full or half share. See the Recipes section of the web site for some great preparation ideas!