Hanging out at the hoedown. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out to the farm last Saturday for the Spring Hoedown and Garden Gallop.  I had so much fun - I'd even go so far as to say it was our best hoedown yet!  I think the reason I enjoyed it so much is that we were finally able to host it out at River Road.  I loved that so many of you were able to come see where we grow our vegetables, and it was especially fun for me to literally run around the fields with you.  I had a blast - so much so that I am already planning a race for the Fall Hoedown in early October - it's going to be called the Harvest Hustle!

Working down to the last minute and stripping to run! Photo by Scott David Gordon

What do they say in farming?  You reap what you sow.  For this hoedown, we put more time and energy into it than ever before, and it really paid off.  I think I lost 20 lbs in the process of trying to get the new stage and barn ready to go in the days leading up to the event.  As those of you who ran the race saw, I was working down to the last minute.  Right before the race started, I stopped working, jumped on stage, and stripped down to my running clothes!  From that point on, it was pure fun - running and great food, music, and company.  It all went so smoothly, and for this, I have to thank our amazing CSA Manager, Ada Broussard.  I may have worked on getting the infrastructure in place, but it's in large part thanks to Ada that we had such an amazing hoedown - she did an outstanding job.

I also have to say thank you to all of the vendors and musicians who worked to make this event such a success.  The music was fantastic - thank you to Chansons et Soulards, Out of the Blue, La Tampiquena, Show & Tellers, and Gumbo Ce Soir.  Ironwood Ice House really hit it out of the park with the food!  It was so good - you all outdid yourselves!  And Lick Honest Ice Cream - you all are amazing, too!  I love ice cream, and you all do not disappoint.  We had such strong support from businesses all over this city, and my thanks goes out to these generous establishments:  Frank, Spinbelt, Woods Apothecary, Saucony, Texas Running Co., Juiceland, Rockin Tomato, Jacobys, Cenote, Peche, Kate Payne/Hip Girls' Guide, HOPE Farmers Market, Dia Due, Yonder Way Farms, Qui, Wheatsville, Max's Wine Dive, Golden Spike Railcart, Castle Hill, Paramount Theatre, Moontower, Salt and Time, Jester king, Dancin' Austin, Just Trees, Whole Foods, ABGB, Thirsty Planet, Circle Brewing, Adelbert's Brewery, Moonshine Sweet Tea, Natural Epicurian, DoMore Race Services, and Casa Brazil!

Finally, we really couldn't have hosted this event (at least not very well...) without the hard-working volunteers who lent their time and efforts last Saturday.  As volunteers, not only did you help our guests have a great time, you enabled our employees to take a bit of a break, too.  They got to put their literal and figurative hoes down!  I thank all of the volunteers for the gift of their time and for supporting local agriculture in the process.

Executive Director, Taylor Cook, tells the hoedown crowd about Farmshare Austin. Photo by Scott David Gordon

And, finally, thank you again to all who supported Farmshare Austin by coming to the Hoedown.  I hope that many of you also got a chance to see Farmshare's teaching farm - they are doing an amazing job both teaching new farmers and growing produce for our community.  In fact, here's another opportunity to lend them your support - and all it takes it a click-a-day online between now and April 27th!  I know you can do it!  Farmshare is in the running for a Seeds of Change Grant that will enable them to continue operating a farmers market at the Safe Place shelter once a week.  Vegetables for the market is harvested at Farmshare's educational farm and then all produce is donated to the Safeplace residents.   Please help Farmshare Austin maintain this worthy program by voting here.  You can also help by spreading the word and getting your friends to vote for Farmshare.  My thanks to you for taking the time to do this between now and April 27th.

CSA members - join us for a potluck on May 9th! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Potluck for CSA Members on Saturday, May 9th

I had such a blast last Saturday that I am ready to do it again!  So, guess what?  We've decided to host another potluck on the afternoon/evening of Saturday, May 9th for all CSA members.  This event will be free and is exclusively for current CSA members and families.  As much as I enjoyed the big hoedown last Saturday, I would love to have the opportunity to connect with CSA members one-on-one at this smaller gathering, too.  I want to be able to express my gratitude to all of you who support us week-in and week-out through your membership.  I can't overstate how important it is to know that we have the backing of such a committed group of people willing to pay in advance for a share of our harvest - it gives me tremendous confidence.  The CSA has always been at the heart of our farm, and I hope all members will come out on the 9th to celebrate being part of this amazing community.  We will have live music, and, I can guarantee right now that the food will be out of this world (I know this because you all will be doing the cooking, and we have some incredible chefs in this fine group of people!).  Stay tuned for more info on how to RSVP for this CSA-member potluck - I want to see you there!

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Thank you, Scott David Gordon, for doing such a great job capturing the fun at last Saturday's Hoedown and Garden Gallop!  Check out these images of the race and the festivities.

Runners await the start of the Garden Gallop. Photo by Scott David Gordon

And they're off! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Running along the field's edge. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Winner (and former JBG employee!) Luis Gutierrez crosses the finish line. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Photo by Scott David Gordon

The fast finishers! Photo by Scott David Gordon

And who is this rounding the curve? Photo by Scott David Gordon

Cheering the runners on. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Chansons et Soulards gets the hoedown started! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Creating art at the hoedown! Photo by Scott David Gordon

And playing with large tractor tires! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Out of the Blue plays for guests. Photo by Scott David Gordon

A young guest dances to the tunes of Out of the Blue. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Enjoying the hoedown. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Anthony prepares to hit whiffle balls into the audience for a few lucky winners to catch. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Getting ready to catch a ball and win a prize! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Loading up plates with great food from Ironwood Icehouse! Photo by Scott David Gordon

And dessert from Lick Honest Ice Creams! Photo by Scott David Gordon

La Tampiquena takes the stage. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Enjoying the hoedown. Photo by Scott David Gordon

The Show and Tellers! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Hanging out at the hoedown. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Ada Broussard and her sister. Thanks so much, Ada, for all the work you put into the hoedown! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Gumbo Ce Soir takes the stage! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Gumbo Ce Soir. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Dancing to Gumbo Ce Soir. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Thanks to everyone who came to the hoedown - hope you had a fantastic time! Photo by Scott David Gordon

And one final panorama from the Spring Hoedown

CSA Box Contents Week of April 6th

Farmshare students & staff doing some spring planting. Photo by Scott David Gordon

This Tuesday, I attended the first-ever graduation for Farmshare Austin, the nonprofit I helped found that trains new farmers in organic growing methods.  I now serve on the board of directors, and it has been an amazing experience to see this independent organization really take off.  At the graduation, I was amazed by the how much positive energy and joy there was in the room  - just check out the expressions on the faces of the graduates and staff.

Farmshare graduate Krissy Voutas  gets her certificate from Lead Instructor Marissa Lankes. Photo by Carrie Kenny

Farmshare's Farm Manager, Lorig Hawkins, congratulates the students on a job well done. Photo by Carrie Kenny

I have to thank Farmshare's exceptional staff for giving these students such an incredible learning experience.  It is one thing to come up with an idea for a nonprofit and quite another to transform that idea into a reality.  Executive Director Taylor Cook, Lead Instructor Marissa Lankes, and Farm Manager Lorig Hawkins made this transformation possible through their hard work and dedication.  At graduation, I was really impressed to hear from the students themselves that Farmshare had exceeded their expectations.  What's even better is most of them want to continue on in agriculture.  It's clear that Farmshare is filling an important need for new farmer education in our community, and I want to do what I can to further their success.  This is why part of the proceeds from the Spring Hoedown this Saturday, April 4th,  will be donated to Farmshare.  I hope you will come join us in the fun Saturday and support the future of farming in the process.

Come run the 5K Garden Gallop at JBG and Farmshare on Saturday!

In case you missed it, let me say it again - the Spring Hoedown is THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 4th, at our River Road location (click here for more info and to sign up).

We've got a lot planned for Saturday, including a 5k Garden Gallop.  If you are a runner, I encourage you to register for the 5K.  This isn't your typical race as the course itself is an organic farm!  The race course will take you all around JBG's fields.  It will also take you through Farmshare Austin's teaching farm right next door.  I can't think of a better way to take in these gorgeous fields - plus, all participants in the 5K get a cool t-shirt!  There's also a 1/2 mile fun run for kids up to age 13, so bring your young ones, too!  One more thing - as promised, I will be running in costume!  Catch me if you can

If running's not your speed, you can walk around the farm to check out the growing vegetables.  And, if you get hungry, we will have plenty to eat, including a special farm-to-table buffet catered by Ironwood Icehouse.  There will be BBQ, local beer, and lots of vegetarian options for non-meat eaters.    And then for dessert, we will have ice cream from Lick Honest Ice Cream.  Believe me, this is one dessert you don't want to miss!

In keeping with all of our gatherings, the Spring Hoedown will also feature great local musicians.  This year, I've managed to pull together so many of my favorite things: farming, running, music, and this amazing community.  I truly love getting the chance to connect with all of you.  As a farmer, it is such a meaningful experience to meet the families that eat what you have grown.  Plus, I love showing off our fields, especially to kids who may never have seen a working farm before - their enthusiasm can even rival my own!  So, I hope you will take me up on my invitation to celebrate with us at JBG this Saturday.  Be sure to bring the young ones, too, and spread the word as this event is open to all (except dogs - no pets, please!)  See you this Saturday!

Here's the Schedule of Events

What: Spring Hoedown and 5k Garden Gallop!

When: Saturday, April 4th

Where: 4008 River Road, Cedar Creek, TX 78612

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9 AM  Gates Open!

10:00 - 11:00 AM   5K Garden Gallop

10:15 - 10:45 AM  ½ mile Kids’ Fun Run (Up to age 13)

11:00 - 4:00 PM    Kids’ Zone Open

12:00 - 3:00 PM  Food is Served (Meal included in ticket price)

Music & Dancing Schedule 

10:30 - 11:30 AM  Out of the Blue

12:00 - 1:00 PM  La Tamiqueña and Mr. Will

1:30 - 2:30 PM  Show and Tellers

2:30 - 3:00 PM   Dance Lessons with Beth and Marlon

3:00 – 4:00 PM  Gumbo Ce Soir

Click here to sign up!

We'd love to see you Saturday at the Hoedown! Photo by Carrie Kenny

On your mark, get set...go! Join us Saturday for a 5K race around JBG & Farmshare Austin. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Are you ready to run?  We hope so!  Join us this Saturday, April 4th, for the Spring Hoedown and 5K Garden Gallop.  For a sneak peak at how great our fields look, check out these images from Scott David Gordon.

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Driving by chard rows. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Rainbow chard close up. Photo by Scott David Gordon

 

Kelly, Yamileth, & Katie planting onions. Photo by Scott David Gordon

A transplant gets it's start. Photo by Scott David Gordon

 

It's a dog's life - taking a break in the shade. Photo by Scott David Gordon

The view from behind the wheel. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Looking good out there. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Hanging out with Ada and Wilbur & Tarzan. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Ada & Wilbur. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Oh, no - don't put Ada in the pig pen! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Use the vegetables in your box to make umami carrots!

Umami Carrots & Parsnips

Time: 45 mins Serves: 4

-6 small carrots, peeled and diced into chunks

-4 parsnips, peeled and diced into chunks

-2 tbls olive oil

-2 tbls low-sodium soy sauce

-2 tbls honey

-1 tsp sriracha

-1/2 tsp ground ginger

-1/2 tsp sesame oil

-salt & pepper

-toasted sesame seeds for garnish

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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Begin my mixing the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, sriracha, ginger, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper together in a small bowl.  Mix well.



Toss in the diced carrots and parsnips.  Make sure all of the veggies get coated in the sauce.

Put all of the veggies, along with the sauce in a small glass-baking dish.

Roast the veggies at 375 for 30-40 minutes until they are tender.  Stir once about halfway through the baking process.

When the veggies are done roasting, sprinkle with the sesame seeds and serve.

Enjoy!

CSA Box Contents Week of March 30th