Laguna Farm CSA1764 Cooper Rd., Sebastopol, CA 95472 info@lagunafarm.comOffice phone 823-0823 i Barn phone 823-0824September 18 and 20, 2007From Farmer ScottOver the weekend we processed a few boxes of tomatoes into marinara sauce for canning. It took me until Monday night to put it into the glass jars, because I like to slowly reduce it to a fairly thick consistency, and marry the flavors of the onions and herbs with the rich qualities of the Brandywine and German Stripe tomatoes. The next goal is putting up some pesto for the winter months. I hope you have time to do some of this – it takes some doing with our busy lives. Here in Callifornia the concept of seasonality is somewhat lost in the abundance of produce, because of our mild winters. On a bigger scale, in the rest of the country, yearround displays of produce from around the globe fill our stores. Unless you’re a grower, you could completely miss the idea of seasonality.So when we’re thinking of conservation, might we focus on our food buying habits, along with our vehicle’s mileage. There can be a lot of energy embodied in some of the foods purchased that travel long distances, or have a lot of packaging or processing involved in their creation. Practice your localvore habits: buy local and in season. Thanks for doing that with this portion of your produce too. Be well.In your box today:From the local fields of the farm, our “beyond organic” salad mix, turnips, heirloom or sungold tomatoes, beans or squash, cucumbers or peppers, leeks on Tuesday and garlic on Thursday, and basil; also celery from Hollister. Fruit subscribers will receive berries and Asian pears from the farm and plums from Dinuba.Before the introduction of the tomato to Europe, turnips were the vegetable of choice to throw at someone as an insult, and an eligible English maiden would present her suitor with one when rejecting him. The flavor is simultaneously sharp and sweet, and the nutritional profile is high in Vitamin C, calcium and potassium. The greens are edible and highly nutritious, like all leafy greens. No need to peel the bulb; just trim away damaged areas. Try turnips raw (the Vitamin C is strongest this way) – create turnip sticks with a dip or grate into salads and slaws.BOTANICALS, BREWS AND BANDS: HARVEST FESTIVALSaturday September 29 3 – 10 PMAlternative energy tours with Farmer Scott, herb walk, essential oil distillation demonstration, apple cider making, herb cooking class, bellydancing, herbal/craft/cosmetics booths, lots of food and drink, Kid Zone by Earthroots Collective, travelling minstrels (featuring our own Mr. December), and dancing starting at 6 PM. Admission donation $10, kids 12 and under free. Volunteers needed for work exchange: call 522-8500 or email the farm if you can help.

Laguna Farm CSA
1764 Cooper Rd., Sebastopol, CA 95472 info@lagunafarm.com
Office phone 823-0823 i Barn phone 823-0824
September 11 and 13, 2007

From Farmer Scott
My main focus currently (besides farm preparation for the Harvest Festival) is fall soil fertility. I am preparing ground and planting cover crops that will eventually be turned back into the soil in the spring. There are also those big long compost piles to load into the spreader, and apply to ground that will be planted over the next year. Got to feed the soil so it will be us (you know, you are what you eat). The challenge with the main fields here is the unknown winter conditions. If it floods, the cover crops will be set back, but then of course the fertility of the silt left behind more than makes up for the stifled cover crop.
I hope you can make it to the Harvest Festival on the 29th of this month. If you are interested in helping out in exchange for your entrance fee, please contact us. We need help with various tasks, including helping the day before and the day after. Hope to see you there.

In your box today:
From the fertile fields of the farm, our “beyond organic” salad mix, heirloom or sungold tomatoes, Walla Walla onions, chard, squash or beans, cucumbers, and garlic; also broccoli from Fremont. Fruit subscribers will receive strawberries or raspberries from the farm and grapes from Golden Nectar Farm in Windsor.
Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have identified a phytonutrient called fisetin in generous amounts in strawberries. Fisetin protects and promotes survival of neurons in the brain, and stimulates and facilitates the development of long-term memory. It’s also found in smaller amounts in onions, tomatoes, oranges, apples, persimmons, kiwi, peaches and grapes.

BOTANICALS, BREWS AND BANDS: HARVEST FESTIVAL
Saturday September 29 3 – 10 PM
Alternative energy tours with Farmer Scott, herb walk, essential oil distillation demonstration, apple cider making, herb cooking class, bellydancing, herbal/craft/cosmetics booths, lots of food and drink, Kid Zone by Earthroots Collective, travelling minstrels (featuring our own Mr. December), and dancing starting at 6 PM. Admission donation $10, kids 12 and under free. Volunteers needed for work exchange: call 522-8500 or email the farm if you can help.

Got plumbing, carpentry, design skills and some volunteer time? Put them to use on the Laguna Farm restroom project: contact John Taylor (johnrtaylor474@yahoo.com), or Kevin Counter (coolsurfdude77@yahoo.com).