2025 CSA Farm Update: Week 7
Hello everyone, welcome to Week 7 of the Katchkie Farm CSA!
This past Sunday, we had a break from several weeks without rain with a strong morning downpour, followed by intermittent light rain throughout the day. If the rain doesn’t return by the end of the week, we’ll be back to irrigating. It’s always humbling how just two hours of rain can accomplish more than several days’ worth of irrigation!
Let me add another chapter to this year’s animal saga. We ended up tying red and silver shiny tape over about half a mile of our produce. It has mostly worked, except on one end row of tomatoes. This row borders a grassy strip that divides one of our fields. The crows have figured out that if they land in the grass, they can walk over to the row and enjoy some juicy heirloom tomatoes! I’m not quite sure what to do about this particular puzzle in a way that won’t make our harvest awkward. I vaguely remember that the crows stop bothering the tomatoes once the fruit starts setting higher on the plants. Unless, of course, they’ve learned to jump!
This week brings our first harvest of Adirondack Red potatoes. There’s something very joyful about digging the first potatoes. As I’ve said in many newsletters, you never truly know how well the crop produced until it’s unearthed. On Monday morning, I hooked up our potato digger to the tractor and unearthed our first bed. Little by little, the potatoes are brought up from the earth, shaken free of soil as they ride up a bouncy conveyor, and lay on the ground to be picked up moments later.
Eating those first potatoes is just as special. There’s something about potatoes grown on a small scale that really brings out their depth of flavor. Years ago, when my wife and I used to dig potatoes on one of our small, rented plots, we would often bring a bag to our mechanic. He remembered his mother sending him to that same farm to buy potatoes for the winter when he was a boy. He was convinced that it was the rocky soil that brought out the best in a potato crop. I’m not sure if that’s the whole story behind their flavor, but it may very well have something to do with it.
There will also be Katchkie Sweet Corn in this week’s large shares. I missed some crucial planting windows in early June that would have resulted in a more robust crop. While the corn may be smaller this year, it certainly makes up for it in flavor. Adding a bit to salsa or potato salad really brings a taste of summer to your plate.
The sun is shining, and the fields are calling.
Until next time,
Farmer Jon
Weekly Harvest Includes*
*We try our best to provide the most accurate CSA list in the newsletter! However, there’s always a chance of last minute substitutions in some bags if we don’t harvest enough of a vegetable.
Delicious Recipes to Try
The Potato Gnocchi with Sweet Corn, Onions and Thyme marks the beginning of the late summer months with its warm, buttery flavors and seasonal sweetness. Soft, pillowy gnocchi are paired with crisp corn, caramelized onions, and earthy thyme for a dish that feels both comforting and fresh.
The Pickled Summer Squash is a crisp, tangy way to preserve the best of the season. Quick to make and bursting with flavor, these pickles are perfect for snacking, topping sandwiches, or adding a zesty crunch to any summer plate. A simple, delicious way to extend your CSA bounty.
Sustainability
Monday, July 28th, we celebrated World Nature Conservation Day,
a global reminder of the importance of protecting our planet’s natural resources.
We want to take a moment to thank you for being a valued member of our Community Supported Agriculture program. Your commitment to local, seasonal food supports sustainable farming practices that nurture the environment, reduce food miles, and protect farmland for future generations.
Because of you:
🌱 Farm fresh organic produce reaches families every week
🚜 Small-scale farmers are supported directly and fairly
🌍 Local ecosystems are protected through regenerative practices
📉 Carbon footprints are reduced through shorter food supply chains
Your participation isn’t just a subscription; it’s an act of conservation.