Summer CSA Pick up #10: 8/14-8/18

Announcing the Winter CSA

It’s time! We have just begun harvesting our winter storage crops, and while we are in the theoretical hottest part of the year, it is time to start thinking about how you will feed yourself this winter.

Our Winter CSA is the perfect way to continue nourishing yourself with nutrient dense and locally grown produce and meats all winter long. We firmly believe in the power of local food year round and we cannot wait to continue feeding you and yours!

The Winter CSA Details

• Choose your pick up location: Bend, Sisters, or Farm Store
• Meat only or Meat and Vegetable
• Select your own vegetables, meat is prepackaged for you
• 1st Thursday of the month pick up in Bend and Sisters, November-May
• Friday-Saturday after the 1st Thursday of the month pick up at the Farm Store, November-May
• Pay in Full or Monthly subscription payment –> with the monthly subscription, you pay for November when you sign up (maybe today…) and then don’t pay again until Dec. 1.

Farm News

How is it possible that we are already thinking Winter CSA? I’ll tell you why, because our Winter Growing season is just now beginning and we are already harvesting our winter Storage crops which really means we have been growing the Winter CSA all summer long. Crazy to think about huh?!?

It is amazing to think that here at Rainshadow, during the Summer that we have been spending together, we have also been growing the food to feed you all winter. It definitely makes the summer busy, busy, busy here on the farm as we harvest for summer and tend the winter crops.

Now is a great time to look at a snapshot of the summer, spring to late fall.
Garlic was planted in October, harvested a few weeks ago, and will be processed for storage within the next couple weeks.
Onions were started in late January, planted on May 1, and will be harvested mid-to end of May.
Potatoes were planted at the end of April, and will be harvested and sorted by variety by the end of August.
Carrots, beets, and parsnips were seeded and celeriac was planted in the 25-acre at the end of May and Daikon Radish was seeded at the end of June. All of these will be harvested for storage in mid-September to mid-October.
Winter Squash was planted at the end of May and we will begin harvesting them towards the end of September, or when the first frost cruises through and makes them a lot easier to find once their leaves are frosted back.
Just this week we are seeding the Siberian Kale. All of it. In about 2 weeks we will plant this sweet winter gem and it will be rearing to go by first Winter CSA.

Our Winter CSA is so unique here in Central Oregon. We grow multiple varieties of all of these storage crops so that the diversity of nutrients, colors, textures, and flavors benefits us all. From our diet to the land to the economy. And for you, as a cultivator of local ingredients, you can continue to know that your considered choice will provide you with nutrient dense and diverse ingredients born and raised right here at Rainshadow Organics.

Make a choice for you and continue eating the summertime bounty of Rainshadow all winter long. Plus, this way we will continue to see you every month! And that is our favorite part of the whole CSA. (Maybe second favorite after the arrival of Siberian Kale, all of our favorite kale!)

~ Alison & the Farm Crew

Top Pic: To make way in the hoops for the Siberian Kale that we will be planting in another couple weeks, we cleared out the tired zucchini plants. These powerhouses have been feeding us for the last couple months and now they head up to the pigs! Don’t fret, we have zucchini and summer squash in the 25-acre for your dining pleasure! (Photo credit: Ray Hansen)

Next Pic: Last week we planted the last “misc” planting of the summer. This includes lettuces, asian greens, and many other goodies that will round out the tail end of the Summer CSA season. After this, the transplanter takes it’s long winter’s nap. (Photo credit: Ray Hansen)

Next Pic: PIGLETS!!! These cute little round, snerfly guys were born on Saturday night. Mom and babes are doing well. Piglets, in fact all babies on the farm, are such a joyful reminder of the cycle of growth we are a part of. It is utterly impossible not to stop and coo. Everyone makes their way to whatever pen holds the newest additions to witness the overwhelming cute and newness. (Photo credit: Ray Hansen)

Final Pic: The 25 is at it’s peak! Everything is planted. The buckwheat on the far right is so tall we have turned the water off so the groats dry out. The garlic is harvested. The water has been turned off the potatoes to prepare them for harvesting within the next two weeks. And we are finally getting the weeding under control. August is truly the apex of the summer. (Photo credit: Sarahlee Lawrence)

Veggie CSA

Every week, we include this section with what we think will be coming out of our fields and hoop houses for the CSA pick up. Keep in mind, that we send this email on Monday just as we start harvesting for the week. That means this is a guess/estimation/extrapolation of what we think we are seeing in the fields. Sometimes we are spot on, but other times we are not.

Our CSA is market style, this means that it isn’t a guarantee that we have of all these things for everyone. Instead, this will be the variety of what we will hopefully (fingers crossed) have for you to choose from this week.)

A note on foundations: SURPRISE! You will learn your foundations and all the details of your CSA for the week when you pick up.

Harvest List will probably include:

asian greens, napa cabbage, yod fah
green onions
kale & chard
head lettuce, salad mixes, arugula
kohlrabi
beets
basil
beans

eggplant
tomatillos
zucchini & yellow squash
cucumber
fennel
carrots
tomatoes
broccoli & cauliflower

Meat CSA

Tune in next week for the Meat CSA.
Don’t forget, Meat CSA picks up every other week. Next meat CSA is 8/21.

It feels like we are charting the season this year through which new flower is in bloom, and now it is the gladiola’s turn to shine. These tall, stately rockets of pure cupped beauty are parading all through the 2-acre. Don’t forget, you are always welcome to come to the farm and take a farm tour! The maps are in the Farm Store.