Water is essential for the happiness of our plants, but sometime too much water can be trouble!  Thankfully, the heavy rains we've had this spring and early summer have soaked in for the most part.  Part of the NOP standard requires us to think about runoff and erosion of all kinds.  Since we don't have too much slope on our property, the use of grassy areas is generally sufficient to slow down the water before it causes too much trouble.
 Another principle is the encouragement to build organic matter into your soil.  This also helps keep the soil and moisture in place.
 While I'm not wishing for any more rain right now, I'm thankful our farm is still moving forward.  Despite the large pond on the south pasture, the garden is seeing radish, lettuce, kale, and arugula mature with beets, peas, zucchini and tomatoes hot on their heals. 
 Looking forward to a great summer!

  Yes, it's snowing today.  Grrrr.  Most people in our area are more than ready for winter to be over.  The good news is that spring will be here in 10 days! 
  So, it's time to think about CSA's.  A CSA is a weekly box of vegetables that you receive from the farm which contains whatever is ripe at the time.
  Our boxes are 1/2 bushel boxes and can provide a week's worth of veggies for an omnivore family.  If you are a vegetarian, you might want to supplement it a bit - let's talk.
 Boxes are delivered to the Albert Lea Farmers Market on Wednesdays and to the North Iowa Farmers Market on Fridays.  Boxes must be ordered in advance, so we can accurately predict and plant the right number of veggies and herbs for the boxes. 
  There is an egg add-on option, so check that out, too.  A basic CSA is $400 for the season (18 weeks); the egg add-on is $54 for the season.
  CSA's are a great way to inspire your cooking and eat fresh all summer long!  Check it out at www.MyOrganicNeighborhood.com/vegetables.htm.

 In January, I inventoried my seed box to see what I needed to purchase for the upcoming growing season.  As usual, there were some escapees at the bottom of the box.  Normally, I just pitch them in the garbage. 
 This year, the long, cold, snowy winter prompted me to give them a second look. What greenery could I generate, just for fun?  So, into the potting mix they went, and three weeks later, here's what we got!
 I'm still not exactly sure what everything is, but I'm betting on lettuce, beets, arugula and maybe chard.  Mmmmm. Can't wait to sample the new year!

  We're going to make it!  Cold snaps like this seem to bring people together in a shared pain.  I can't say I'm sorry to see warmer temperatures on the horizon, though.
  In the winter, we're down to just chickens, though we have three different batches going at the moment:  mature laying hens, 10 week old pullets which will join the flock in the spring, and Kathryn's bantams.
  There is strength in numbers in the cold weather, and everyone has done a good job of keeping each other warm.  Water changes three times a day keep the ice away, and plenty of food to spare keep the girls in good shape.  I'm always amazed that they don't all just huddle under the heat lamps, but in fact prefer to sit on their normal roosts. 
  We've lost a few eggs to freezing, but all in all, we've weathered the icy blast.

  The lambs' date with destiny is coming.  We will be delivering them to the R 4 Meats on November 7.  Anyone interested in a half or whole lamb should let me know by November 1, so we can get your cutting order lined up.  You can email me at Neighbor@MyOrganicNeighborhood.com.
  Individual cuts will be available at the 2014 Farmers Market season.

Thank you to all our Austin customers for their support during our short sojourn to your Farmers' Market!  Jennifer has injured her knee and will not be able to participate in the Austin Market for us for the remainder of the season.  We look forward to her recovering completely so we can see you next year!

Beginning August 1, we will be at the Austin Area Farmers' Market at the corner of Oakland Avenue and 4th Street, NE.  We'll be there every Thursday from 4 - 7 p.m. with eggs, lamb, veggies and Bee Bags.  Hope to see you there!

Purple beans!  Well, technically, the name is Royal Burgundy Bush Bean, and boy are they beautiful.  They were the first to be ready this year, so they must love water.  Always great to have new trial varieties turn out so well.

  I've been saying I was going to add the picture of the Melon Prosciutto Salad for two weeks now, and here it is!  Bee Bags have been great fun to create.  I love trying new recipes and tasting new flavors. 
  This salad in particular sounded interesting, but not anything special when I first started testing menu ideas.  I'm ok with cantaloupe, but it's not my favorite.  Tonight, when I finally made the recipe again - this time to photograph it - I was abruptly reminded why this one made the list.  The flavors are bold and contrasting and refreshing and filling and amazing!  This is no wimpy lettuce salad with a little fruit sprinkled on top. 
  FYI - another great use for Bee Bags:  if you have a babysitter scheduled for hours that include mealtime, pick up a Bee Bag for her/him.  Most young people haven't developed serious cooking skills yet, and Bee Bags will help them easily prepare a balanced meal.  And all our meals are kid-tested on the resident 7-year old.  Thanks to Emma for helping me discover that one!

  Pink Beauty radish are a so bright and cheerful and delicate - until you take a bite; then that familiar radish zing takes over!  My daughter discovered this pretty radish by accident last year.  I've added it to our regular garden rotation.
  To be sure, we are thankful for radish that get up and get going in the spring. 
  Radish play a feature role in one of our Bee Bag meals - Broiled corn and black bean salad.  It's a great fresh, bright, filling salad that goes well with cooking that doesn't take long in the kitchen.  Enjoy!