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LOCALLY GROWN, ORGANIC PRODUCE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR.

VIEWS FROM THE FARM

03/24/09 — Aaron

Dylan unloads a pick up truck load of organic grapefruit.

Table of Contents 1) In Your Box this Week

2) Farm News

  • Dai Due Dinner at the Farm. Mark your Calendar!
  • Open House/ Potluck. Mark your Calendar Again!
  • At the Farm this Week
  • The New White House Veggie Garden
  • The 'Food Saftey Modernization' Act
  • Don't Forget we have New Delivery Times at Your Pick Up Site
  • Architecture for Tomatoes
  • Heirloom Tomatoes are Selling Quick
  • Log into your JBG CSA Membership Online
3) Events
  • Gardening for Wildlife Seminar
  • 52nd Annual Zilker Garden Festival
  • Austin Organic Gardeners
  • Travis County Master Gardeners Association

4) Quotable Food

5) Recipes
  • Provençal Greens Soup

6) Vegetable Storage Tips 7) Johnson’s Backyard Garden Contact Information

Please send newsletter feedback, suggestions and contributions to farm@jbgorganic.com

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The fence line separating the office field and the orchard.

1) In Your Box this Week: Broccoli Florets Spinach Kale Radish Arugula Pac Choi Green Garlic Lettuce Just a few Fennel Baby Chard Beets Strawberries Oranges Grapefruit Coming soon: Turnips

    This list is subject to change depending on availability and quality of crops on harvest day.  You’ll find the most accurate packing list on the homepage of our website.

2) Farm News

  • Dai Due Dinner at the Farm. Mark your Calendars!
Johnson's Backyard Garden will be hosting a dinner in the orchard.  Jesse Griffiths, from Dai Due Supper Club, will be the chef. April 5th has been scheduled for an excellent meal in the pecan orchard. The dinner will focus on spring vegetables, pastured meats and local dairy. It will be family style, about four courses and live music. The dinner will start around 3pm and will serve about 50 people. Please check Dai Due's website today to register as this event will sell out.
Jesse Griffiths, from Dai Due Supper Club, will be preparing a fantastic meal for us.
  • Open House/ Potluck. Mark your Calendar Again!
We have picked a date for the special occasion, please joins us at the farm on Sunday April 19th from 4pm til dark. We will provide music and entertainment. Bring a dish to share, your own place settings and all the friends and family you can think of. Bring a chair or a blanket, and BYOB. You do not need to be a CSA member to attend, this is an event for everyone (except your canine friends, please leave them at home). So mark your calenders and peruse your favorite recipes in preparation for this annual event. We’ll meet in the orchard and have a walking tour of the farm with other local foodies.
  • At the Farm this Week
We've had another busy transplanting week: tomatoes, basil, eggplant, sweet peppers, cucumbers, melons and more lettuces. The green house has emptied a bit as most of our plants are moving to the fields at this time of the year. Will also direct seeded green beans, which we grow in two rows per bed. Never one to waste resources, he decided to plant garlic down the center of the bean rows to utilize space and add to our pest and soil management. Here's how it works. The beans replenish nitrogen in the soil, which makes surrounding plants grow better; just one type of Mother Nature's natural fertilizers. Beans will also help protect nearby eggplants from the dreaded Colorado potato beetle.  The green garlic repels aphids, controls rust flies and some nematodes, and protects tomatoes against red spiders. Green garlic will be harvested in just a few weeks as part of your CSA box. This will not allow the garlic, a member of the Allium family, to interfere with the development of the beans as they near maturity about 5 to 6 weeks later.
Our little fig tree, planted at the residential driveway, is leafing out with it's beautiful wavy greenery.
  • The New White House Veggie Garden:
A great public outcry for personal food awareness can be seen in the entertaining short called  This Lawn is your Lawn. Well, it looks like your letter writing and phone campaigns have worked (Thanks !).  In  case you haven't heard the news, the public debate has won over the Obama  household. The White House landscapers are installing an ORGANIC vegetable garden on the White House Grounds  http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/20/Spring-Gardening/
Citizen request for a White House garden has helped spotlight a timely political discussion. This particular organic garden draws attention to the  current 'Food Safety Bill' which would support big chemical companies and huge industrial farms. Yet the First Family has made a public stand for locally grown organic food; to feed themselves, their guests and make donations to a local food bank. We hope this helps send a message to the folks at Monsanto, ADM, etc. who are backing the 'Food Safety Bill'.
  • The 'Food Safety Modernization' Act:
Here is more conversation regarding the 'Food Safety' bill that is currently before congress. Beth Johnson (our farming cohort) received some email comments that look at the other side of the proposed bill. The following email texts are a letter from Katy Ziegler Thomas,Vice President of Government Relations, National Farmers Union and Dan Nagengast of the Kansas Rural Center, whose websites have been included for further reading. The email comments reflect their understanding and knowledge of the current bill before Congress.
The uproar caused by this bill is pretty remarkable. Donn Teske of Kansas Farmers Union had their D.C. office contact Rep. DeLauro's staff directly. Donn said to feel free to share what they found. It will reassure at least some of the small farm community. Slightly larger regional or wholesaling farms may have more to worry about. Many of you have contacted NFU_DC regarding H.R 875/the Food Safety Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). The internet rumor mill has been burning up regarding DeLauro's legislation and her intent. Some have suggested she is aiming to ban backyard gardens, organic production, farmers markets, etc. Rest assured this is not the intent or focus. I met w/DeLauro's staff last Thursday regarding their intent with language, specifically Sect. 206 and to get a response regarding the internet rumor mill. As I expected, DeLauro has no intention of causing harm/hardship to small-independent family farmers, backyard gardeners, organic producers or farmers markets. They did acknowledge the language is ambiguous in areas and could have been better articulated/defined with input from their farming-friends. Specifically, under Sect. 206 they intended to include large-scale production operations that ship production nationwide, not the producer with limited acres who sells at the local farmers market or CSA, etc. I encouraged them to include an exemption within Sect 206 to clarify exactly who they are aiming to go after. USDA's definition of "small farms" is any farm with less than $250,000 gross receipts annually on which day-to-day labor and management are provided by the farmer and/or farm family that owns the production or leases the productive assets. They are exploring this suggestion. The legislation only addresses/impacts FDA jurisdiction, meaning there would be no impact on livestock production - which is under USDA jurisdiction. References in the legislative text to "animals; ranches" etc., are used for legislative text continuity purposes. The bill has been referred to Energy & Commerce, former E&C chairman John Dingell already has a drafted food safety bill. Dingell's bill will be the starting point for E&C, with DeLauro focused on getting a few pieces of her language into Dingell's language. NFU has not endorsed or opposed HR. 875 or any other food safety legislation at this point. Attached is NFU's policy on food safety - which calls for a single food agency and mandatory recall authority. I anticipate food safety legislation to be debated extensively in Congress this year - with all current forms of language to change significantly before completed. I'm not certain where or how the rumors about DeLauro's efforts began, but she is a friend of independent small family farmers, not a foe. If there are legitimate concerns with her language the staff is open to suggestion/improvements. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to let me know.
  • Don't Forget we have New Delivery Times at Your Pick Up Site:
WEDNESDAY PICK UP The Farm Pickup - 9515 Hergotz Lane, Austin - 2:00-7:00pm Tarrytown Pickup - West 10th Street, Austin - 4:00-7:00pm Cedar Park Pickup - Hunter Ace Way, Austin - 3:00-7:00pm Northwest Austin Pickup - Running Rope, Austin - 3:30-7:00pm Round Rock Pickup - Sam Bass Rd, Round Rock - 2:00-6:00pm SATURDAY PICK UP The Farm Pickup - 9515 Hergotz Lane, Austin - 1:30-7:00pm Downtown/Eastside Pickup - Willow St, Austin - 1:30-7:00pm Hyde Park Pickup - Avenue H, Austin - 2:00-7:00pm South Central Pickup - Treadwell St, Austin - 2:30-7:00pm South Austin Pickup - Rocky Ford Drive, Austin - 3:00-7:00p
  • Architecture for Tomatoes:
Tomato stakes run single file along each tomato bed. Look closely and you can see the orchard has been the construction site for all the tomato cages we will use this season. Thanks to all the workshares who helped in the wire fence wrangling. This little tomato has plans to fill the tomato cage in just a few short weeks.
  • Heirloom Tomatoes are Selling Quick:
Our tomato starts have been selling quickly, however, it's not too late to get your own organic heirloom tomato plants. If you’re interested in growing some of the most beautiful and flavorful tomatoes in your own backyard garden, check out our web site to place your order and we will deliver the starts to your weekly drop off sites for the next couple of weeks. Â  All transplants are seeded to 1? plugs and cost $1.00 each for Johnson's Backyard Garden CSA members and $1.75 for the general public. We require a $20.00 minimum order, and this minimum can include any combination of the plants we have available.
Black Krim
Pruden's Purple Rose de Berne
Green Zebra Aunt Ruby's German Green
Cherokee Purple Marianna's Peace Pineapple

  • Log into your JBG CSA Membership Online:
You can manage your Johnson's Backyard Garden CSA membership online. At CSA accounts,you can make payments, check schedule pick up times and dates, and renew or change your order. It's the best way to stay upto date with your individual account. If you experience any difficulties managing you account, please contact Carrie at the farm Monday- Friday before 12:30 pm at 512.386.5273 or email her at farm@jbgorganic.com.
Will reports that the potatoes are growing well and are currently about the size of a golf ball.
Will reports that the potatoes are growing well and are currently about the size of a golf ball.

3) Events:

  • Gardening for Wildlife Seminar:
7 p.m. March 25. Learn how to create a place for wildlife in your backyard and how to get certification as an official wildlife habitat. Zilker Botanical Garden center, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. 444-8765.
  • 52nd Annual Zilker Garden Festival:
10 a.m.- 5p.m. Mar 28-29.This family friendly event includes a great variety of musical entertainment, guest speakers, children's activities, more than a hundred vendors of plants, crafts, and unique items. (Admission charge.) Austin Organic Gardeners
  • Austin Organic Gardeners:
The Austin Organic Gardeners meet the second Monday  of every month at Zilker Botanical Garden. www.austinorganicgardeners.org Meetings start at 7 p.m.
  • Travis County Master Gardeners Association:
The Travis County Master Gardeners Association holds it's monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. www.tcmastergardeners.org Meetings starts at 7 p.m.
Will's plans have changed once again. He will be living in the 'well house' as soon as it is finished. The windows, leaning against the trailor, will be part of the final house.

4) Quotable Food:

  • Bread deals with living things, with giving life, with growth, with the seed, the grain that nurtures. Its not coincidence that we say bread is the staff of life. ~Lionel Poilne

5) Recipes:

CSA member Marian Schwartz sent in a soup recipe this week using arugula and tatsoi to make Martha Rose Shulman's Provencal Greens Soup. Marian says  "it was beyond fabulous.  Thirty minutes from start to finish, too.  With all the yummy greens we're getting these days, it might be a good recipe for the newsletter."

  • Provençal Greens Soup, from Martha Rose Shulman, published in the New York Times.
In France this simple, nutritious soup is made with wild greens that you might forage on an afternoon's walk, such as nettles, watercress and dandelion greens. If you must use one green,  Swiss chard is recommended. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 leeks, cut in half length-wise, sliced, rinsed of dirt and drained on paper towels 4 garlic cloves, sliced 6 cups chopped greens (leaves only), such as Swiss chard, dandelion greens, watercress and beet greens 1 1/2 quarts water Salt, preferably kosher salt, to taste Freshly ground pepper to taste 2 large eggs 4 thick slices country bread, toasted and rubbed with a cut clove of garlic Grated Parmesan for serving (optional) 1. Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat, and add the leeks. Cook, stirring, until tender, three to five minutes. Add the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about one minute. Add the greens, and stir until they begin to wilt. Add the water and salt to taste, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the greens are very tender and the broth sweet. Add pepper, and taste and adjust seasoning. 2. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Making sure that the soup is not boiling, whisk a ladle of it into the beaten eggs. Take the soup off the heat, and stir in the tempered eggs. Brush the garlic croutons with olive oil, and place one or two in each bowl. Ladle in the soup, sprinkle on some Parmesan if desired and serve. Yield: Serves four Advance preparation: You can make the soup through step 1 several hours before serving.

The Forsythia hedge at Grit and Stephen's is in full regalia. 6) Produce Storage Tips:

We aim to grow and package our vegetables to maintain the highest taste and nutritional quality possible. However, once they’ve left the farm it’s up to you to keep them fresh and nutritious. There’s no refrigeration at the CSA drop points so it’s best to pick up your box as early as possible. Here are some additional tips on how to store this week’s share:

Spinach, Kale, Chard, Lettuce, Salad Greens, Bok Choy, Braising Mix and Cooking Greens will stay fresh in the crisper for 4-7 days and should be kept in plastic bags. Any bunch greens can be freshened by cutting an inch of the bottom stalks and soaking the entire bunch in cold water for 10 minutes. Place in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few hours to revive.

Broccoli will last 4-7 days in plastic bags in the crisper.

Oranges and Grapefruit are best kept at room temperature of 60-70 degrees and used within two weeks. Do not store in plastic bags.

Parsley and Cilantro are best with bottoms of stems trimmed, placed upright in a jar of water in the fridge. Basil can be stored upright in a jar of water at room temperature, or in an open bag on the counter. These three all do well frozen also (they will loose texture but not taste).

Checkout our storage tips on our website for a more complete guide, and of course, feel free to contact us with any questions. The National Center for Home Food Preservation is your guide for how to can, freeze, dry, pickle or ferment just about anything.

Prickly poppies bloom along the field edges inviting bees, lady bugs and beneficial wasps back to the farm.

7) Johnson’s Backyard Garden Contact Info:

Johnson’s Backyard Garden 9515 Hergotz Lane, Box E Austin, TX 78742

Office Phone: 512.386.5273 Office Hours: M-F 8am to 12:30pm

e-mail: farm@jbgorganic.com website: www.jbgorganic.com

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