It’s hard to believe that we are already into our 2nd month of CSA harvests, but if there is one thing to indicate the passing of time it’s the size of our chickens! Our first batch of broilers are steadily making their way across our recently cut hay field under their portable houses, pecking and fertilizing as they go. In just 6 weeks time they have gone from little fluff balls to buxom brutes, and are nearly ready for harvest!
We raise our chickens and pigs on pasture in order to provide them with plenty of space, fresh air, sunshine, and forage. The result is cleaner, more active, healthier animals and flavorful, more sustainable, healthier meat. We are proud to be able to incorporate livestock into our farm, as an important part of the nutrient cycling and diversification of what we grow. This year we are even going to put our chickens to work, and will be pasturing them in the asparagus patch later in the summer once we are done with harvest to help with weed control. I hope they like lambs quarter!
We raise 4 batches of broiler chickens each summer, and our first “harvest” is scheduled for next Wednesday, June 26. If you would like to purchase a bird (or more) from this or future batches you can place your order on our website. Fresh birds will be available at our CSA barn Thursday through Sunday of harvest week, and any remaining birds will be available frozen thereafter. (Pre-orders for pork are also suggested, though the pigs are a long-season effort and will not be ready for harvest until October).
We sell our birds as whole roasters, but they are easy to cut into parts before cooking or freezing. Join us for a demonstration and DIY mini-class on how to “part out a chicken,” led by our very own Farmer Bob, on Friday June 28 at 5:30pm. BYO packaging (freezer paper or gallon ziplocks recommended), we will have cutting boards and knives available for use.
But enough about meat for now, here’s what’s on tap on the veggie front!
Cheers, Norah and the Sweetland Crew
Week 5 Harvest, Brimming Basket
- Pannise or Skyphos lettuce, 1 head
- Bok Choi, 4 small or 2 large heads
- Hakurei Salad Turnips, large bunch
- Hearty Mesclun Mix, 0.6 pounds
- Arugula, 0.5 pounds
Week 5 Harvest, Half Pint
- Pannise or Skyphos lettuce, 1 head
- Bok Choi, 2 small or 1 large heads
- Hakurei Salad Turnips, small bunch
- Hearty Mesclun Mix, 0.3 pounds
Pick-Your-Own
Pick a posey! Our PYO flowers are in the early stage of blooming, and would benefit from a gentle picking to stimulate growth. Feel free to pick 1-2 blossoms this week, knowing that there will be more to come! When picking, keep stems short for now, being careful to pick above a branch junction to encourage growth.
Note, kale will be closed for 1 week for regrowth.
Recipes of the Week
- Bright and fresh; Lemon Garlic Bok Choy is great with fish or chicken
- Use the whole plant! Sauteed Japanese Turnips with Greens
- Going strawberry picking? Sweet and spicy pair up in Strawberry Arugula Salad. Try this recipe with your Hearty Mesclun Mix for a sweeter, dark leafy green flavor.