Laguna Farm CSA

1764 Cooper Rd. , Sebastopol, CA 95472  CSA@lagunafarm.com

Office phone:  823-0823

July 12^th and 14^th, 2011

Sunday afternoon my sister and I stomped around the “Share Fair” on Santa Rosa’s 5^th Street.  The fair was put on by the Share Exchange and featured a wonderful display of local vendors, businesses and outreach organizations.  Traveling from booth to booth, I enjoyed representing Laguna Farm, local agriculture, and seeing what Sonoma County has to share.  Most inspiring to me, was the movement toward the reduction and eventual elimination of single-use plastic bags.  We are looking into ways we at the farm can reduce our single-use bags and support farm members in their attempts as well.

Last week’s disclosure that the farm is suffering under the weight of so many “vacation skips” was met with a huge amount of support and encouragement.  Long-time farm members talked about how their $18.00 per-week buys so much more than a box of fabulously grown vegetables.  It supports living wages for farm-workers, a protection of the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed, bio-diversity, happy chickens, local food, solar energy, seed saving, a community venue for workshops and events, ripe tomatoes, fresh corn, heritage oak trees and so much more.  All these community benefits need your support even when you are away, so please hear our plea to donate your CSA box to a friend, family member or one of our charitable organizations while you are on vacation.

Thank you and Be Well,

Jennifer Branham

In Your Box Tuesday: From the Certified Naturally Grown fields of Laguna Farm, our “Naturally Grown” salad mix, carrots, kale, cucumber or squash, spring onions, radishes, potatoes from Edison, CA

In Your Box Thursday: From the Certified Naturally Grown fields of Laguna Farm, our “Naturally Grown” salad mix, beets, kale, cucumber or squash, spring onions, radishes, potatoes from Edison, CA

Village Bakery in Sebastopol is our new local bread provider.  We have a list of breads we have pre-ordered if you are interested in knowing what is to come, feel free to ask us.  We are posting our box contents on facebook weekly, so remember to befriend us.

Kokopelli Boysenberries are available! We will offer these wonderful treats in our farm-store and encourage you to take them up on their offer to allow you to “pick your own” at their Sebastopol area farm.  Contact our dear friend Shepherd Bliss at 829-8185.

NEXT Backyard Herbal Walk-shop Sunday: 6/24/11! From Jennifer’s garden to yours. You are invited to the Sebastopol homestead farm of Jennifer Branham, co-owner of Laguna Farm CSA.  Come tour Jennifer’s medicinal back-yard herb gardens, and learn about common herbs that can be grown in your backyard.  We will identify, harvest, and process herbs into medicine.  This interactive workshop will provide participants with the knowledge, tools, herbs and supplies to start their own herbal apothecary.  Sunday, July 10, from 10:00 to 1:00.  Lunch provided.  $25.00 per pre-registered person.  Contact Jennifer at jennifer@lagunafarm.com for more information.

SMOKED PAPRIKA VINEGRETTE

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1 pinch white sugar (optional)
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Preparation:

1. Blend the red wine vinegar, honey, mustard, lime juice, pepper, salt, paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, and sugar together in a blender until thoroughly mixed.
2. Drizzle the olive oil into the mixture while blending on low. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

RASPBERRY VINEGRETTE

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup raspberry wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, mustard, oregano, and pepper. Shake well.

HONEY GARLIC VINEGRETTE

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Preparation:

1. In a container, combine oil, vinegar, honey, and garlic. Cover, and shake until blended. Set aside for 45 minutes, to allow flavors to combine. Shake again before serving.

ASIAN GINGER DRESSING

Ingredients:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup water

Preparation:

1. In a 1 pint glass jar or larger, combine the garlic, ginger, olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and water. Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake well. Remove lid, and heat jar in the microwave for 1 minute just to dissolve the honey. Let cool, and shake well before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator.

LOW CAL TOMATO HERB DRESSING

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium tomato juice
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon dried savory
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

Preparation:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.