August 2, 2017

Hello everyone! It is great to be back in the Verde Valley and I am loving the monsoon rains. I am also so happy to be back in the thick of all this delicious summer produce. While I loved all the croissants, baguettes, and pasta I ate on my trip, it feels wonderful to be eating salad, fresh pickles, and lots of peaches.

As you all know, Whipstone Farm was hit hard by a hail storm and flood a few weeks ago. Thankfully, there was a huge outpouring of community support and some better weather has given them time to open up a new field and get a lot of new crops in the ground. They are certainly not back to where they were before the storm, but things are looking up. Thanks to all of you who sent kind words and support.

This week we get to enjoy the first apples of the season, a variety you are likely to know called Gala. This is the only week that Gala apples will be available, but there should be many more delicious varieties later in the season. Peaches this week come from John and Jeremiah Rodger in Camp Verde, a couple that I grew up with in Sedona. I first visited their home when they got married about four years ago, and it is amazing to see how much fruit their trees are producing now after just a few years! Most of the peaches will be a white-fleshed variety, but some of you may receive yellow-fleshed peaches.

Flower share members will not be receiving flowers this week as Whipstone Farm continues to assess their flower crops. We will keep you up to date and let you know if and when flowers will be back and if refunds will be issued.

If you have not yet paid your remaining balance please bring a check to distribution this Wednesday or pay online prior to distribution. We are so grateful to all of you for supporting our local farmers and for joining in the risks and rewards of our CSA program. Thanks for being shareholders!

Have a wonderful week!
Meghan

What’s in your basket – August 2nd

Apples – Marilyn’s Orchard
Beets – Whipstone Farm
Bok choy – Whipstone Farm
Cucumbers – Willowbrook Farm
Kale – Willowbrook Farm
Peaches – John and Jeremiah Rodger
Shishito peppers – Willowbrook Farm
Summer squash – Whipstone Farm
Tomatoes – Willowbrook Farm

Pepper plants (which were hit especially hard by the hail) are sprouting lots of new growth!

New one-acre field – plowed, planted, and ready to go.

Okra flower. You either love it or hate it, but it won’t be long until we get our annual taste of okra!

Growing organic corn is no easy feat! Willowbrook Farm is battling the bugs with everything they got, so let’s hope we get to enjoy some corn this year!