Posts from the “Farm” Category

Fall CSA Week 3 (& giving thanks)

Posted on 13 Nov 2012

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Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

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– Mary Oliver

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Hello farm friends,

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We hope everyone is enjoying the change of season and first few weeks of November.  Hard to believe that we’re already halfway through the Fall CSA, as it’s very different for our farmer bodies and minds to have a season shorter than 20 weeks.   But with a shorter season comes shorter days and we find ourselves with a bit more time to sit down, to reflect and begin brainstorming ways to make the 2013 CSA better.  We know our strengths and our limits and where we want to push and encourage ourselves just a little bit more.  It’s been inspiring to make lists, prioritize and start to turn those lists into reality.  Figuring it all out for the first time can be hard at times but we are having fun doing it and find that when we trust our hearts the possibilities are endless… and this life really is too precious not to try.

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Feeling grateful.  With more time to reflect and Thanksgiving not too far away we’ve also been feeling really grateful for all the goodness we have in our lives…

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Our girls.  So much has changed this year on the farm and we can’t really imagine how it was before with out all our gals.  They’ve all made such a wonderful addition to our lives and our community and are so thankful to have them here with us.  Their life here provides a circular motion on the farm, one that coincides with nature and brings everything together.  They fill our days with purpose.

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And, as a side, they’ve been getting a lot of extra love and attention these days… and despite the sometimes gloomy weather are as happy and healthy as can be.  Our little chicks are growing fast and we can hardly keep them contained.  We’ve repurposed an old table into a very roomy brooder for them to stretch their wings and grow.  Ellie and Maribelle are eating plenty of fresh green grass and appear to be very healthy in their winter coats as we head into the darker days of winter.  We love them all so much.

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Farm-ily, Friends & Family.  We’re so grateful for the people that inspire us day in and day out.  The light that we find in others is very much a driving force of the farm.  That hope is the thing that gives us purpose and makes us want to do our best.  Being on the farm attracts some of the most positive energy that you can find.  It helps us to all slow down, listen and enjoy each others company.  We feel so blessed that you have chosen to keep company with us and for us to share with you what we believe in with all our hearts.  Your support is always appreciated and you inspire us to continue on and grow and become better farmers and people.  So thank you so very much for that, as we’re better people knowing you all.

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We’re grateful for this farm and for the love & support that we have in our lives.  We’re thankful for new opportunities and friendships.  We’re thankful that we have each other because this life, this bounty, this dream could not exist (as it does) without one or the other.

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There are so many other things that we are grateful for this year and we feel that it’s important to say them out loud for all to hear (because, sometimes, saying it out loud makes it more real).  We hope that you all share what you are thankful for and have a wonderful week with family over the holiday!   *Reminder – there won’t be any delivery or pick up the week of Thanksgiving.  We will pick back up the week of the 26th for the last 3 weeks of the CSA.

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Be sure to click on the slideshow for some great photos of all of our gals (both big and small).

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Until then… be happy and well.

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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Fall CSA Week 1 & 2

Posted on 5 Nov 2012

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Hello farm friends!

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Our warmest welcome to you as members of the 2012 Fall CSA!  Whether you are new to Working Hands or are already a part of our “farm-ily” we are so happy to have you aboard.  We are two farmers (Brian & Jess), one 2-acre veggie garden, 65 chickens, 50 baby chicks, 1 jersey cow (Miss Ellie) & 1 jersey calf (our 2 month old, Maribelle) who all run freely on 3 acres of pasture.  We’d be happy to introduce you to the gang and welcome you to visit us when you have a chance!  Just let us know and we’d be happy to arrange a time.

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Things have surely slowed down since the height of our summer season and we welcome the change of pace.. although our bodies are reminding us now why it’s so important to take the time to take time.  Many mornings and evenings have been spent stretching, rejuvenating and recuperating from our season and getting the chance to sit back and enjoy the beauty that is all around us.  Oregon is such a beautiful place this time of the year, the leaves are changing, the gray skies make the evergreens pop and more time is spent in the warmth of the kitchen.

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The change of seasons means a whole new forecast, fungus, bugs & longer (and wetter) harvest times.  Our first frost was a week or two earlier than expected, during the first week of October, but we haven’t had a frost since with temperatures only falling into the 40’s and 50’s at night.  And we are officially in the rainy season as October was a record month for rain!  The rains may bring a whole new slew of bugs but they also bring milder temperatures and when that sun finally pops back out.. let me tell you (or maybe I don’t have to) it feels glorious and we know the plants appreciate it too!

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Our bounty.  Until the second week in December you will be eating seasonally from our garden.  Which means leafy greens, root crops, herbs, brassicas, winter squash and to our surprise some summer crops, like tomatoes.  Every week we will include a few recipes featuring a few items in that week’s CSA box.  There may be times where you’re unsure of the best way to use or cook your goodies which is why we’re sharing some of our favorite recipe blogs below.  Adventuring through old cookbooks or on the web is a great way to utilize all of the farm fresh goodies each week.  And if you happen to have any left over greens or kale, try your hand at Kale Chips , a simple soup or saute or maybe even a green smoothie (with a spoonful of peanut butter, Farmer Brian’s favorite!) .

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Happy Yolks
Smitten Kitchen
Mollie Katzen
101 Cookbooks
Naturally Ella
Sprouted Kitchen
My New Roots

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Get creative.  Everything in the box was picked just hours before it reaches your home.  Be inspired.  Cook meals with family, friends and just for you.  Find solitude in the kitchen, share it with others… it’s one of our favorite places to be.  Do something zany like making Beet Brownies!  Don’t fear being too wholesome or earthy because you are having fun.  You know exactly where most of your food came from and who grew it and that’s empowering!   And please feel free to share what you might find and discover along the way.  Us farmers are inspired by our members journeys everyday.

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Crates, cartons & jars.  Our setup is simple around the farm  in order to be efficient (as it’s just the two of us) and we try to make it just as easy for our members.  At the beginning of the season we build our farm crates and for 20+ weeks we pack them full of bounty.  Each week, members return or leave them out the morning of home delivery – exchanging an empty crate for a full one – not a bad deal.  We also reuse the egg cartons, as well as our 1/2 gallon milk jars, so feel free to leave them in your crate as well.  If you forget your crate and miss a week, we will of course forgive you, but just know it makes these 2 farmers harvest days a lot easier to have what we need!  Many thanks in advance and if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

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Farm Photos 2012.  We also posted some of our photos from the 2012 season for all those wanting to revisit or see just how far we’ve come in the last year!  It’s been a blast and we look forward to seeing what the next month or so will bring.

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Thanks for supporting our little farm as we couldn’t take this journey without you.  Enjoy your week and we’ll see you soon!

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Your farmers,

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Jess & Brian

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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CSA Week 20

Posted on 23 Oct 2012

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Hello farm friends,

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Well, here we are.  Week 20.  It goes without saying that Week 20 is a bittersweet time at the farm as it’s the last week of the Spring/Summer CSA… Do you remember Week 1 and the first few weeks with all the cooler weather crops (like kohlrabi, lettuce, radish, green onions)?  Or that delicious cauliflower and romanesco?  Or the very first taste of summer time cukes, squash, potatoes and tomatoes…  It’s been so much fun and a really big year for us farmers.  We started the year not knowing what exactly would come of the season (as is the insecurity that comes with entering any new season)… but as time has shown we are capable, no matter what happens, because our hearts are in it 100%.

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Bounty.  2012 was without a doubt a very bountiful season but we’re already getting excited about next year!  Adding in some new crops, planning and planting even more efficiently and providing an even more diverse amount of vegetables on our 2 1/2 acre vegetable farm… yes, please, bring it on!  We’ve been writing down our favorite varieties from this year in hopes of becoming better farmers.  We love what we do and every year we will grow smarter and work a little less harder.  Growing vegetables is the “easy” part.  And if this season is any indication of the summers becoming a steadily dry season then we will plan accordingly (bumper crop of heirloom tomatoes this year anybody?)

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For 5 months you have been receiving a crate full of bounty, from the farm, to bring home and share with your family and friends.  We are just really happy that we were able to feed your families and hope that you too feel the difference from eating fresh from our garden every week.

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Chickens and Bees and Cows, oh my!  This year we introduced many friends here on the farm.  The diverse ladies of Chateau Poulet whose antics make for many days of amusement and rich farm fresh eggs that inspire you to make the best kind of breakfast in the morning.  There is also the wonderful addition of Wolf’s honey bees who helped pollinate this farm and brought you the many fruits of the farms labor (and also a delicious jar of Wolf Honey!).  Then there’s our sweet Ellie girl who is at the very heart of the farm and who’s personality, demeanor and smarts outshine any cow that we’ve ever met.  And it goes without saying that little miss Maribelle has quickly stolen our hearts with every affectionate head butt or nuzzle around our legs (of course now she’s getting too tall) – she’s been the belle of the ball.  You have all grown with us this year.. you’ve seen the changes and have reaped all the benefits that these dirty hands and fertile lands have to offer.

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We’re glad that you chose to be a part of our CSA and, after 5 months, a part of our little farm-ily.  As we said at the very beginning of the CSA.. with your support, your enthusiasm and commitment this farm dream is not only possible but it becomes a reality.  You are not just a member of this farm but the very foundation on which this farm stands.  You put your faith into a few crazy hearted young farmers and it takes a special kind of person to do just that.  And for that reason alone we feel both happy and blessed to have the members that we do this year.  We hope that we are here to serve you for year’s to come and that you enjoy the bounty, the hard work and the love that goes into it just as much as we do. Whether we see you again next season or catch up with you from a far just know that each one of you has made us better farmers and that means everything.

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So, thanks again for such a wonderful season.  Keep cookin’ in your kitchens & we hope to see you all real soon!   And don’t forget to look for the sign up for the 2013 season at the start of the new year!

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p.s. Crates & Surveys.  If there are any Working Hands Farm crates hanging about be sure to bring them to the pick up or leave them out for home delivery.  We are also hoping to receive a survey back from all of you (your thoughts mean a lot to us) and have attached it to the email just in case it has been misplaced since the last time we saw each other.  Thanks again everyone!  Cheers to a very successful season!

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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Brian & Jess

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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CSA Week 19

Posted on 16 Oct 2012

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Hello farm friends!

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The rains really have come and it’s starting to sink in just how many weeks we have left in the CSA.  On the one hand, things are finally start to feel like they are slowing down over here and we find ourselves with a few more moments in the day to sit down and relax in between chores.  We were beginning to wonder if we’d ever slow down but the weather certainly helps with that….

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One more week after this one… it’s incredible.  You never really know what to expect when you start the season.  You hope and stress that you have enough members, you seed until there is no room left in the greenhouse, on the ground and on the outdoor seedling tables.  You transplant ferociously for months, lay irrigation, plant perennials, plan crops & pray for good weather.  Not to mention, marketing yourself like crazy while you day dream about the future and figure out the ways to grow better, not bigger.  And there’s always trellising tomatoes, weeding, creating new recipes, weeding, squashing bugs, weeding, harvesting with headlamps, hand milking the cow and did I mention, weeding?  From sun up to sun down we are busy bees.

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Gratitude.  And here we are 8 months after starting up the farm season.  A lot of lessons have been learned and we know it will all get easier with time.  We’re excited about the future and we’re so excited that you’ve helped to make this year such a success!  We were amazed by all the thoughtful gestures and conversations we had with you last week… about what the CSA has meant for them and what it will continue to mean for their lifestyle into the future.  Talk about putting your farmers on cloud 9…. It’s seriously the best kind of compliment when people acknowledge healthy change in their lives and love it!  We understand as food is at the very core of why we’re able to do all that we do.  Without it, it would be impossible to do the best job we could do.

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CSA Survey.  Speaking of that… this week we will be including a CSA Survey in this week’s share that can be returned to us next week.  They can be filled out anonymously as we will have a big box for putting them in next week.  Or, if you prefer, we will also send out a digital copy so that people can email them back.  As a CSA member, your responses to the survey will influence the forward progress of the farm and the direction it takes.  Your response to this survey is the best way to meet your needs and the needs of future CSA members.  Not to mention, the importance to us as we really strive to work smarter, not harder and better, not bigger.  We thank you in advance!

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You all are great and we really hope that you will all join us again next season (2013!).  After the winter we know you all will be craving those first tender greens and sun ripened veggies… it gives all of us something to look forward to!  But for now, let’s enjoy the time that we have!  Here’s to 2 more weeks!

 

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p.s. EGGS.  After the weekend we have lots of farm fresh eggs to sell this week.  So come prepared to the drop and purchase some delicious extra protein!  The ladies of Chateau Poulet thank you in advance!

 

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faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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Farm Fresh Eggs. Delicious.

Posted on 15 Oct 2012

Our eggs are available through becoming a CSA member, where you you will receive the priority, and on a first come first serve basis at our farm.  Our flock is 100% free range and fed a supplemental diet of organic/certified GMO free whole grains from Scratch & Peck, a local feed supply that we feel lucky to be working with.  We keep 14 different heritage breeds in our flock in order to maintain the healthiest birds via bio-diversity, the corner stone of our farming methodology. We love our chickens and we love feeling deeply connected to a valuable source of essential fats and Omegas.  Click this link to meet our chicken of the chicken of the week. Every dozen is rich in color, nutrients & flavor. To learn…

CSA Week 18

Posted on 9 Oct 2012

 

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Hello friends,

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Well.. just like that… it’s officially fall!  We had our first of several frosts over the weekend with 70 degree weather during the day…. craziness.  We’ve been closely watching the weather and a frost was anticipated, at some point in time, but has come a week early compared to last year.  We’ve also had the driest summer and fall in over 50 years so that definitely has something to do with it as well.  Needless to say, as farmers, we are looking forward to a little cloud cover and some rain in the coming weeks..

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The bountiful crate.  We are working extra hard to preserve our summer crops that were once flourishing and are now no longer fruiting and in quick decline.  Our barn is full of all kinds of peppers, green tomatoes, eggplant and melons in hopes of keeping them in regulated temperatures, and out of the sun for as long as we can.  Unfortunately for the fruits, their companion plants look like they are waving tiny little black flags.  The flower garden has also turned from all colors in the rainbow to a sea of brown.  But as farmer Brian so eloquently said upon finding our sad summer crops a few mornings ago, “an early frost comes and mercy is extended to only a select few. My heart hurts. All the hard work, the splits in our hands, the late nights trying to protect them from the inevitable, all for not. But this is the way life is. The heart resides in the pursuit.”

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A bittersweet time.  This time of the year is most bittersweet for those foods we long to have all winter & spring.  Crops we sometimes wait 8 months or more for…  We’ve been scurring around our nest this past month, trying to fill the pantry with canned, fermented & dried goods, in hopes that we can enjoy the summer bounty year round.  To remind us of the sun filled flavors of the garden when we’re deep with in the gray dampness that winter brings.  But in just one morning they are all gone.  8 months of cultivation.  Bounty.  Nourishment.  Some go silently while others hold strong and see how many cold nights they can take.

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A reflective time.  After a walk through the garden at first light, I found myself overwhelmed and had to lie down in the grass to watch our big pine tree blow in the gusty breeze.  I noticed upon it newly formed pine cones just waiting to be released in hopes of spreading it’s seed.  It made me think of how bountiful our efforts have been this season.  That we couldn’t work any harder or with any more love than we did this year.  We gave it everything and in turn the crops had everything they needed to feed so many families & friends (over 200 when all is said and done).  It’s a reflective time of year for all of us.  When the seasons change, our habits change and sometimes even our appearance.  I’m sure as the next weeks unfold we’ll all reminisce about the bountiful season that’s almost behind us.  How it made us feel, how it’s changed our habits, lifestyle and overall quality of life.  And as much as we’ll miss it, we welcome the rains, the change of season, all of it.  Though our hearts will miss the bounty and the sunshine it is our bodies that yearn for less hours of daylight and time for practicing new hobbies, reading more books, hunkering down in our crafts, planning for next year & getting better at what we do.

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Your Savings.  Did you guys know that by signing yourselves up for the 2012 CSA season for fresh picked, nutrient rich, organically grown produce you also saved a lot of money at the grocery store?  We broke it down each week in order to see just how much you saved over the course of 20 weeks.  As the season got going and the crate became more bountiful and diverse you also started to save money.  $293 dollars to be exact.  We say the cost of the CSA breaks down to $31.25 per week (which is then divided by 2 – 3 people) but around week 7 the crates changed and only kept changing as the week’s continued.  Turning that $31.25 into as high as $55.00 (and you all have the muscles to prove it… those crates have been pretty heavy these past few months).  That $293 is not just money to be saved but a commitment that you can feel proud about.  You made the choice for you and your family to know where your food was grown and whom it was grown by.  You chose to support this young farm and be apart of it’s growth and it’s only going to get better.  We are dedicated to this craft and to feeding you and your families.  Handing off that crate full of veggies to you is our privilege and seeing your faces light up upon receiving fresh VEGETABLES never gets old.  Hearing how you’ve been cooking more and feeling fit and happy is what it’s all about.  It’s all incredibly rewarding.

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Fall CSA.  If you’ve signed up for our Fall CSA expect an email of greetings soon!  We’re so happy that you have chosen to take this adventure of 6 more weeks with us.  We’ve never done this before but it feels good to take the adventure with some really good friends and community.  It’s the best kind of feeling.

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And thanks again to everyone who was a part of the farm this year.  Whether you are one of our members, a volunteer, a farm stand regular or just someone who passes by and appreciates what we do…. we are better farmers knowing you all and it’s our goal to keep getting better, not bigger as time goes on.  You guys are the best.

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We’ll see you all this week!  2 more to go!

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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CSA Week 17

Posted on 2 Oct 2012



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Hello friends,

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Happy October and many wonderful greetings after another sunny weekend.  The days are getting shorter but the beautiful autumn weather is helping our fall and winter succession crops gain a big jump start before the rain and cold sweep in.  Our bodies, minds and hearts couldn’t ask for anything better.

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We’ve come leaps and bounds this weekend after Maribelle took her first bottle of milk.  We wanted to keep calf and cow together for as long as time would allow but as Maribelle is getting bigger and stronger it’s time to really form that bond as farmer and cow.  She turned one month (for adorable calf photos, click the link) on Saturday and since then has been on the bottle full time.  She has already begun to eat some grass and grain for protein and within a few more months she should be well on her way to eating that diet full time.  It will be wonderful, as Maribelle gets older, when Ellie and her will be able to roam together in the same pasture and be the best of friends (although I have a feeling I know who will be the boss….)

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Self Sufficiency: Dairy. We have also been busy trying our hand at making new dairy products.  Some of our list includes raw yogurt,  milk soap, soft & hard cheese.  So far, the yogurt has been the best we’ve ever tasted.  Perfect consistency and delicious creamy flavor (and it only took 12 hours overnight!)  We’re looking forward to the week ahead when we try our hand at making mozzarella, extra sharp cheddar & soap!

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Self Sufficiency: Veggies.  I recently purchased this book which has been of high interest to me as we try to work smarter, not harder here on the farm.  It’s a collaboration of old world techniques and recipes using drying, cold storage and lacto fermentation methods from the folks at Terra Vivante.  It inspired us to make our first drying rack for herbs, peppers, etc in the barn.  We are using the resources around us to make less frequent trips to the grocery store.  If it involves a few more steps in the process of harvesting the bounty then so be it (that’s what it’s there for, right?)  Last night, before, after and during dinner, we canned 27 more quarts of sauce.  It came out beautifully and we can’t wait to put away a few more before the long road ahead (sans tomatoes) is upon us.  *Speaking of which.. has anyone had luck canning, fermenting, or freezing salsa without it changing too much?  We are always craving heirloom salsa in the winter months…

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Helping Hands.  We’re happy to have a few friends of mine (Jules & Jared) visiting from my home state of Massachuetts as they make their way down to California for a change in scenery and way of life.  They will be here for the next few weeks so give them a friendly greeting if your paths cross.  They’ve been helping to fill the gaps on the farm and they are making a big difference in their time here.  Many hands make light work… and really nice company.  We’re definitely feeling blessed for a little extra help when it’s hard to feel caught up on rest!  ( winter = should be farmer rest time.. perhaps for a few weeks, we hope!)

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Fall CSA.  If you are thinking of signing up for the Fall CSA, let us know!  We’d be happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Feel free to spread the good word to friends or invite them along for the ride for NEXT season.  We’ve had such a blast growing food and getting to know you all.  All of it is just pretty amazing….

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Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you all during the week!

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p.s. If you have forgotten or are unable to bring back your crate this week, please bring a bag.   We are short again and it looks like the brown bags will be making an appearance again at the pick-ups!

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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CSA Week 16

Posted on 25 Sep 2012

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Hello friends

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Another week begins as we make our way into autumn and welcome the change of the seasons.  Can you believe there are only 4 weeks left (after this) of the full season CSA?  On the one hand we can hardly believe the summer has already come and gone but on the other our farmer bodies feel a different way entirely.

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There is such beauty to be found in nature and we all have the privilege of bearing witness to that each and every day. Our heirlooms tomatoes are having a big hurrah these past few weeks despite the chillier nights.  They’ve been slowing coming in over the past few months and now they hang from every vine on the tomato trellis.  In all colors of purple and green, yellow and red and every color in between.   Our cooler weather crops are looking better since those 90 degree days have past.  Lots of the beginning of the season tender greens are back and more delicious than ever so expect to see some of those in your box in the coming weeks!

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Lately, our hearts have felt a wee bit lighter as many things have been checked off our lists in the past few weeks.. MILK!  we’re getting better at milking each and every day as Maribelle and Ellie are getting into the swing of working with two farmers who are learning what it truly means to be a farmer (it’s no 9-5, that’s for sure, and we wouldn’t have it any other way).  We’ve also been reaping the benefits of having so much raw and delicious jersey milk with Buttermilk pancakes (seriously, like you’ve never tasted before), fresh butter, ice cream (no sugar needed) and hopefully soon CHEESE & YOGURT!  If anyone is ready to try a 1/2 gallon of our farm fresh, nutrient rich, enzyme packed, raw milk (it tastes like drinking ice cream) or would like to try a sample please let us know!

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Ellie has such a vibrant and loving personality and has been patient with us over the past month.  Although, she has certainly passed on her stubborn genes to Maribelle.  As we learn how to lead and facilitate a relationship with her she likes to drag her heels in the dirt as much as she can (and she’s pretty darn persistent too!).  She is getting stronger by the day and has nearly doubled in size since she was born 3 weeks ago.  She’s already chewing some grass and imitating most of mom’s moves in and out of the field and has the most impressive kicks we have ever seen.

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Seed Saving & Transplants.  We’ve begun to save all our favorite tomato seeds from this year.  It’s such an fun and easy process that just about anybody can do at home (wink, wink).  We’ve also transplanted most of our next succession of crops in preparation for the fall csa.  We’re excited to see what the land will yield come the months of November & December.  If you haven’t already please check out our Fall CSA page where you’ll find information about the 6 week breakdown, the benefits and of course, how much it means to us for you to be a part of what makes this little farm thrive and survive.  We’d be happy to answer any further questions you may have and hope to see you all for a little bit longer in the year 2012.  It really has been a blast!

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Honey harvest.  Wolf is almost finished gathering up the frames of honey from the boxes but there are many jobs to be done to extract it and jar it up for the coming year.  If anyone is interested in coming out on the dates below please let us know… we’d love to have you!  He’ll be(e) here from 11-5 on these days….

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Wednesday, September 26th
Friday, September 28th
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Friday Night Film on the Farm.  This week we’re watching O Brother, Where Out Thou?.  Movie starts at dusk (a little after 7pm) so aim to arrive 15 minutes early to enjoy the sunset, set up your chairs and say hello to your farmers!  Pack a picnic, snacks, a extra blanket for warmth and a jacket.  A $5 donation is appreciated.
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Also, a very big thanks for bringing your crates last week!   Let’s keep it up this week and if you are unable to bring your crate back please bring a bag.  It makes our harvest days go more smoothly when we have everything that we need.  Thanks in advance!
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Faithfully yours,
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your farmers
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dirty hands, clean hearts
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CSA Week 14

Posted on 12 Sep 2012

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Hey everyone, –

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We hope all is well and the end of summer transition is  going smoothly for everyone so far.  We are also trying to get into the swing of things here at the farm.  Trying to find a balance between all the responsibilities, the harvests, the plantings, and the animals.  Although there are even less hours in the day (both literally and figuratively) we’re confident we’ll find a way to balance everything out.  With certain types of responsibilities comes certain simplicities.  Like all new things you only truly understand it when you see it through the whole way.  So here’s to seeing it through… –

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Tomato harvest this week has been the biggest it’s been all season with the heirlooms finally kicking into gear.  We’ve had some pretty chilly nights the past few days with temperatures in the high 30’s so if you’re planning to can or freezing extra vegetables now is the time to do it!  Chop up all those peppers, bag those tomatoes whole and stick them right in the freezer.  Save it for later to make some homemade sauce  or soup when you have some time to do it on one of those chilly winter nights.  If you’re looking for any extras this week or next we have 10, 20, 30+ lbs of saucing tomatoes available for purchase.  Just send us an email and let us know. –

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Also, if anyone is interested in doing an egg share for the next 6 weeks please let us know!  The girls are getting into the swing of things over here at the farm and if your enjoying our veggies it only makes sense to be confident where your eggs are coming from too!  They are wholesome and delicious and we guarantee these ladies are the best loved chickens around.  Help support these hard workin’ little ladies and the farm.  These are all things that you can feel really good about. –

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Friday Night Films on the Farm.  We are so excited to say that we’ll be showing The Fantastic Mr. Fox this Friday at dusk.  Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to enjoy the sunset (it’s at 7:20) and we’ll be starting the movie shortly thereafter.  Bring warm clothes and a blanket to wrap in incase it gets a little chilly.  A $5 donation is appreciated. –

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Thanks (as always) to everyone for your encouragement and support!  We couldn’t do it with out you.  And for those who have been asking, we are planning on sitting down in the next few days to finalize our CSA extension for this season and put it out there to everyone by early next week.  Thanks for being patient and understanding while we learn to juggle all these new exciting possibilities… –

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faithfully yours, –

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your farmers –

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dirty hands, clean hearts –

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CSA Week 13

Posted on 4 Sep 2012

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Hello dear friends,

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Wow what a weekend…we hope everyone enjoyed their holiday as we know school is starting back up for the little ones and the change of season will be upon us in the coming month… it’s definitely a time of transition.  Things are changing plenty around the farm too and not just with the garden… and with that being said we have some news to share with you all…

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Ellie had her calf at first light on the morning of the full blue moon.  I was inside baking up some granola when Brian ran in and said I had to get my shoes on quick that he saw something with Ellie in the field.  There were no signs that she was ready to calve but it happened rather quickly.  We checked on her at first light and she was grazing in the field… and not an hour later there was a little wet calf laying in the grass.  There she was licking the baby and cleaning it off like a good mama should.  She was perky and aware and on her feet.  The calf’s eyes were bright.  We wondered if it was a boy or a girl…. we checked… A GIRL!  We were extremely excited.  We had no idea what to do despite all the cow books & forums we’d been reading and the farmer  advice we had been seeking.  Our first intuition said to call up Farmer Britt of Everbearing Farms (and Ellie’s previous owner).  She said she would make her way up within the next few hours to help us out with any questions and to check on both Ellie and the baby.  And it’s a good thing she did.  As the early morning progressed Ellie began to act funny.  She wouldn’t come when she was called and had made her way down to the furthest most point in the property with baby in tow.  Something was up and she didn’t feel right.  Britt suggested that we call the vet and get her checked out.  There was a possibility that she had Milk Fever (which is fatal if not treated) and it wasn’t worth taking the risk.  The vet was called and we were on wait for the next two hours… and it felt like the longest two hours ever.

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He came right in time.  When he arrived we weren’t 10 steps away from the barn and he was already coming out getting ready to give her an IV.  Sure enough she had milk fever and was progressing quickly as she could hardly stand on her legs they were shaking so bad.  He laid her down for several minutes… within a few minutes of receiving both the IV and calcium tablets Ellie was back on her feet.  We let out a huge sigh of relief.   I asked if this was a sure sign that she would recover.  The vet said that this was the surest cure there was and her getting right back up on her feet was a great sign.  But boy, did everything happen so quickly… the excitement of the baby finally arriving, the decline in Ellie’s health, Ellie feeling better and us trying to wrap our heads around the day we just had and the big changes that were about to come.  The idea of losing her still weighs heavy on my heart and I feel a little lighter every time she stands by my side and puts her head around my body assuring me that she is as present as she ever was.

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These two farmers before you are growing up and doing it quickly.  We are definitely feeling those growing pains after this weekend.  The lack of sleep, the extremely early mornings, the late nights, the 2 hour milkings, the stack of garden chores mounting in the distance, the 1,000’s of transplants that want and need to get into the soil, the transition time from just the 3 of us to the 4 of us…. but somehow it all dissipates for a moment when we see that little calf leap and bound across the field or witness her finding her mother’s milk for the first time.  Those happy moments when there is no question that things make sense.  A happy mom and a happy baby who are bonding more and more each day.  We are learning how to be a part of that process and so is Ellie.  She has never been given the chance to bond with her former calves so this is a whole new experience for her.  It took her a day or two but we see our  sweet old Ellie in there when she nuzzles up for a scratch or lays her head on our laps… we know girl, we’re tired too.  We’re proud of her for being strong and for being a really good mom and for reminding us to take it one day at a time.

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We look forward to the next few weeks and to see how it all progresses.  Hopefully the milking, feedings, etc get easier.  We are being tested but we haven’t hit our final note.  Despite all the things on our list, all our responsibilities and there not being enough hours in the day, we still have hope that we can get up and do it all again.  There is no time to be too tired because there are just too many people, animals & plants depending on you.  We believe in what we do and although things feel harder than they’ve ever felt we still have confidence that we can make this work… that we will figure it out and it will become lighter with time.  After all, we’ve already learned so much in the past few days, from the baby, from Ellie, from ourselves…. we will never forget anything that happened to us over this labor day weekend.

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Also,  a big thanks to everyone who came out on Friday for movie night as Singin’ in the Rain was a total hit.  It was definitely an intimate affair but it was probably one of the loveliest nights we’ve had on the farm all season.  It gave us a chance to sit down and take in the full blue moon rising up over the hills before we got the film rolling… and it somehow inspired Miss Ellora to have her calf the next morning…. this Friday we’ll be watching The Sandlot and encourage you all to come out at dusk for show time!  Hope everyone has a great week.   We’ll see you all soon.

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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CSA Week 12

Posted on 28 Aug 2012

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Hello friends,

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The adventure begins yet again!  We sure have had some funny weather since we saw you last but it looks like the sun is shining and we’re back up into the 50’s at night.  Everything looks great in the garden <sigh of happiness> as August and September are such bountiful months in the season.  Farmer Brian and myself will be working on numbers, dates, etc for the winter CSA and will be happy to share those with you hopefully by next week!  We truly believe in what we’re doing and see a very bright and rewarding future in growing food for the community.  This season has led us to amazing friends, new and old, and we couldn’t be happier to have you all aboard!

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Thanks to those who came out for our first movie night last week.  This friday (August 31st) we will be showing Singing in the Rain a fantastic musical comedy made in 1952.  It stars some of the greats, Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor & Debbie Reynolds who are singing and dancing about all things Hollywood and the change from silent films to “talkies.”  Movie starts a little after 8pm but feel free to come a little early to enjoy our beautiful farm sunsets.  Make sure to bring a few layers with you for when the sun goes down.  A $5 donation is suggested.

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Our girls are laying a few more eggs each and every day.  We’ll have eggs available at a first come, first serve basis this week for all that are interested.  They are fed a glorious diet of pasture and Scratch & Peck feed so eating them is something you can feel really good about.  Finn, short for Huck Finn, is our chicken of the week.  As soon as the girls are let out at first light Finn is the first one to jump the fence and find her way over to the shade structure.  There you will find her for the majority of the day, snacking on tomatoes, scratching up the grass, eating slugs or lounging in the sun.  Like clockwork, before we even step out of the coop, she is there.  We also have a lemon cucumber and summer squash loving cow named Ellie.  We have recently discovered that she loves eating our split carrots and looks adorable to boot.  We might be biased but we think they are the happiest dairy cow and chickens this side of the Mississip!

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Just a reminder about TOMATOES!  The time is now!  Several of our members have purchased some day old tomatoes which are great for canning season!  We’re offering them at a steal of a price, in bulk for canning purposes.  If anyone is interested in purchasing 10, 20, 40, 60 + lbs of tomatoes please let us know.  They make great sauce, sundried tomatoes, ketchup, jam and more for filling up your pantry or giving as Christmas gifts!  Last fall we put together a little tomato canning how-to and you can check it out here.

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Also, on Tuesdays, due to the nature of the season, we will be making several deliveries before the drop and CSA pick up begins at 4:30.  We hope to be there a little earlier to slang some vegetables to the happy folks in NE/SE Portland but members should plan on the pick up starting at 4:30.

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Thanks for all of your encouragement!  We look forward to seeing you all this week!  Don’t forget to bring your crates or any extra you might have laying around!

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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Movie Night 8.24.12

Posted on 24 Aug 2012

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Tonight we will be showing our first film in our succession of outdoor Movie Nights on the farm.

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   Paul Newman & Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

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  Come an hour early (at 7pm), pack a picnic,  bring a blanket & a warm sweater

and watch the most amazing sunset from the farm!

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Movie starts at sundown.  All are welcome.  $5 donation suggested.

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CSA Week 11

Posted on 22 Aug 2012

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Hello friends!

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Boy, we can’t get over how different the weather has been this week.  A little mix of sun and clouds, cooler and much more enjoyable weather to work in!  It’s almost starting to feel like the halfway mark of the season is here.  Sometimes the slight change in weather helps process just how fast time really does go by.

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Thank you to everyone that made it out to the farm on Saturday.  It was nice for both of us to take a step back, show members the farm, talk about what we do and share in some homemade food!  We know that time is precious this time of the year and we hope to have another gathering over the weekend of the fall solstice which is a month from now.

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TOMATOES!  The season for canning is here!  We have been harvesting an unbelievable amount of tomatoes this week… 470lbs to be exact and there are more ripening on the vine every day!  We’ve had a few members buy our “day old tomatoes,” at a steal of a price, in bulk for canning purposes.  If anyone is interested in purchasing 10, 20, 40, 60 + lbs of tomatoes please let us know.  They make great sauce, sundried tomatoes, ketchup, jam and more for filling up your pantry or giving as Christmas gifts!  Last fall we put together a little tomato canning how-to and you can check it out here.

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We’re pleased to announce that the first film in our succession of outdoor Movie Nights on the farm will begin THIS Friday!  Who can resist Paul Newman & Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?  Come an hour early (at 7pm), pack a picnic dinner, bring a chair and watch the most amazing sunset from the farm! Movie starts at dusk (a little after 8pm). $5 donation suggested.

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Happy week to you all!

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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Open House 8.18.2012

Posted on 10 Aug 2012

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Hello Everyone,

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Just  a friendly reminder about the upcoming Open House Day out on the farm on August 18th…   We invite you to come out and meet your farmers from 11 – 3 pm and to share in a potluck/picnic style day.  To bask in the summer sun with a blanket & your sun hats and to spend an afternoon with your farmers and other members of our CSA community.  So, come on by, say hello, and bring a dish from home – it’ll be a fun day for all!

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Also, as it’s very much on our minds these days, Ellie has not yet had her calf but we are patiently awaiting his or her arrival on the farm.  We promise that you will all be the first to know!

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Stay tuned for an update in next week’s newsletter.  Hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying this past week’s bounty!

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Faithfully yours,

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Your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

CSA Week 7 & 8

Posted on 31 Jul 2012

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Hello farm friends!

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Boy, have we had a busy past few weeks on the farm!  We’ve been prepping, planting, seeding, digging, weeding, tilling, raking, trellising, you name it!  We’ve been harvesting the last bits of our spring crops and replacing them with our new fall crops.  It’s been a lot of long days but we’re feeling strong and happy that the two of us are able to get it all done (and to feed 50+ families a week ain’t so bad either).

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We hope that you’ve been enjoying the first tastes that summer has to offer.  The garden is so lush and bountiful, as we see many peppers, eggplants and tomatoes growing and ripening every day.  It’s such a wonderful time of year with those warm days and cooler nights – which make for perfect evenings to harvest potatoes!

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A word on our beloved ladies of Chateau Poulet… we have new layers everyday it seems.  We’re still waiting on that 4 dozen a day thing but we’re happy that we have healthy chickens that are full of personality (despite those little pea sized brains..).  We know by next Spring we’ll have so many eggs that we won’t know what to do with them.  Until then, you can bet your bottom dollar that Farmer Brian will be in that hen house prompting and encouraging the gals to lay just a few more eggs.  Also wanted to mention the wonderful feed that we purchase from Scratch and Peck.  They are located in Bellingham, Washington and are the first feed company in North America to have all of their products be Non-GMO Verified!   Go Scratch and Peck!  The gals are free range in the pasture but it’s nice to know that their supplement feed has only the most wholesome ingredients (so wholesome that you would eat it too!).

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And now for Miss Ellie Bean… she is loving her new home at Working Hands.  She had a visit last weekend with Farmer Britt and her family and it was nice to get the chance to show them the farm and Ellie’s new place in Scholls.  She is nearing the projected due date and we are all open ears and eyes until that day comes.  We are “milking her” (going through the motions) twice a day and she’s adapted so well to her routine already.  We should be, or should I say, she should be very comfortable with it once the calf arrives.  Us, on the other hand, know we’ve barely just begun.  We’ve been getting well acquainted with her (i.e. taking naps together) and we feel pretty confident that we can keep charging ahead, together, like three peas in a pod.

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In other news, we’d love to have outdoor movie nights on the big screen this month and are looking for your guidance.  If anyone knows of a good place to rent a projector & speakers or potentially has one that we can borrow that would be fantastic!  We have such beautiful sunsets out here on the farm it really seems a shame not to share it!

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Also, you should tentatively mark your calendars for a Meet Your Farmers day out on the farm on August 18th.  We’re hoping to do a potluck/picnic style day where everyone brings a dish, a blanket & their sun hats to spend an afternoon with their farmers and other members of their CSA community.  We’ll fill you in on more details as we get closer….

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Hope everyone has a wonderful week!  It’s the first of August tomorrow (we can hardly believe it) and we feel so blessed and appreciative for our bounty, our farm & our wonderful CSA members.

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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CSA Week 6

Posted on 17 Jul 2012

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Well, friends….

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You have patiently awaited the news and we are happy to share it…..

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May we introduce to you the newest addition to the Farm….

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Isn’t she just lovely?

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Miss Ellora, the Jersey Cow, who has come to make a home at Working Hands Farm and we couldn’t be more pleased!

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Ellie has been with us 5 days now and she is as sweet and as beautiful as can be.  She has the most wonderful disposition and it’s as if she hasn’t skipped a beat moving to a new place.  She had a wonderful and happy home at Everbearing Farms and we couldn’t be happier to have come into contact with them as now we have some awesome new farmer friends and mentors in St. Paul.  Farmer Britt is such a thoughtful person that it made the transition easy for everybody and we couldn’t be more grateful having Ellie here with us.  It’s a big and new adventure for us both but we are ready for truly understanding all facets of this life that we live.  It feels more fulfilling already, and even more than that, it feels exactly right.

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The very beginnings of salsa fresca…

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In other exciting news we found our first few ripe tomatoes (thank you Oregon Spring) on the vine over the weekend.  All of the plants are loaded with fruit and as soon as that light switch gets turned on it will surely be go time (hopefully our two sets of hands can handle the 30 varieties of tomatoes we planted this year!).  We also found the first few green beans, onions and hot peppers on our morning walk through the farm.  It’s a very exciting and magical part of the year when all the plants share the goodness of the sunshine and the soil.  We love it and we know you do too!

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Also, on our walk around the farm we found the next round of pesky weeds that all need to be plucked from the ground this week.  If anyone has the time to come out and lend a hand this week please feel free to send us an email or give us a call as we firmly believe many hands make light work!  Plus, it’s always nice to have our members out here to enjoy the peacefulness of the farm and maybe even an introduction to Ellie!

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She’s the sweetest!

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We hope that you all have a wonderful week and look forward to seeing you all soon!

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers jess & brian

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dirty hands, clean hearts

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My favorite kind of bouquet (besides Kale of course…)

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3 1/2 lb Snow Crown Cauliflower anyone?

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Garlic harvest!

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Many hands make light work!  Thanks to our friends who helped out this weekend.  

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CSA Week 5

Posted on 11 Jul 2012

Taking a siesta in the hammock with one of our nearest and dearest… 

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Hello Everybody!

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We hope your week has been going well and that you’re staying cool!  We are still getting used to the stream of hot weather and sunshine that has graced Portland but the plants are loving it (well, everyone except the lettuce)!  As of right now our little farm is growing and is planted to almost max capacity!  We’ll be harvesting our big crop of potatoes (we’re growing All Blue, Mountain Rose & Yukon Gold) in the next few weeks and our first round of brassica crops which will free up some space for all of our “winter crops.”  (Yes, we’re already thinking about winter…and yes, we’re silly farmers..)

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We thought you guys might be interested to know that beyond the CSA we’re also working in conjunction with a local Headstart agency  in their newly funded child and adult food program to provide fresh, local produce to 67 families in the metro area.  The ability for our small farm to feed an extra 67 families a month is beyond measure and we couldn’t feel happier about it.  So far it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Headstart and we look forward to seeing what the future brings and meeting some of the families that are participating in the program.

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Even the smallest hands can make a big difference here on the farm…

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Speaking of which, our volunteer day was a success, thanks to all the members, families & new friends who braved the heat and could join us!  The flower bed has never looked better and is currently the best looking block on the farm.  We hope that we get to see all of you out here as the season moves forward.  Whether it’s helping out or stopping by to enjoy a peaceful walk around the garden and a good book in the shade the farm is here for you to enjoy.  Feel free to email or call us anytime with questions about visits and lending a hand.  That’s what we’re here for.

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Also, the farm has some news to share but we’re waiting until next week to do so.  We know it’s not fair to mention something like this in this fashion but we want you to be just as excited as we are as, we too, wait in anticipation!  All we can say is keep an eye on the blog this weekend for a hint.  We’ll follow up at the beginning of next week as we let the secret unfold.  Until then, we hope everyone is staying cool.  It looks like summer is here to stay – with more sunshine and 80 degree weather for the next week and you know what that means… tomatoes aren’t too far away!  We’ve been waiting a very long time for salsa fresca, so much so that we can almost taste it and are counting down the days…

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Be well and take care and we’ll see you all again next week!

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Faithfully yours,

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your farmers

dirty hands, clean hearts

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It’s a tough life here on the farm but somebody’s got to do it…

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A bird’s eye view..

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It’s been a most impressive year for lady bugs in the garden…

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Our hearts (& even our bellies) just can’t get enough of these sun ripened goodies… gosh, we love summer!