Happenings on the Farm!

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Laguna Farm Newsletter

Laguna Farm News and Recipes
Thank you for supporting local agriculture!
June 20, 2017
Dear Members,
Recently the Sonoma West Times & News published an article about growing practices at the Highway 12 strawberry farm.  I encourage you to
read the article for yourself
so you have a better understanding of the issues it brought to light.  Over the years, I have made it a practice to refrain from talking critically about the growing methods or business practices of other local farms.  In fact, I go out of my way to work cooperatively within our agricultural community since we buy seeds together, share equipment, refer customers to each other and trade produce.  However, today I feel compelled to speak out.
     It’s no secret that diverse and sustainable agriculture is under extreme pressure in Sonoma County.  Our cost of living requires that we pay higher wages to workers who can find jobs in industries like hospitality, viticulture, construction and landscaping.  The cost of food is not rising as fast as expenses.  In the 11 years since I’ve been at Laguna Farm, our berries have always been $3.00 a basket, and I can’t see raising this price.  In fact, I often drop the price to 2 baskets for $5.00 just to move them out of the farmstand .
     I believe people have a right to know how their food is grown.  With this information they can make their own decisions about what to buy, how much and how often.  We all make choices about what is best for us, our families, the workers, our environment and our conscience.  When I read the Sonoma West Times & News article about the growing practices of the Highway 12 strawberry farm and learned that while the farmer consistently claimed the berries were not sprayed, in fact they were.

Strawberries top the “dirty dozen” list, making it especially important that consumers source them organically.  While this farmer appears to have broken trust with consumers, I want to assure our customers that we remain as committed as ever to growing your food without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides – or misleading information.

     Please read through to the bottom of this newsletter to learn how you can reach out to our Santa Rosa neighbours this Saturday and promote Laguna Farm and local agriculture. 
Eat well,
- Jennifer Branham-Burns
Tuesday Produce Boxes:
Salad, Beets, Yellow Onions, Gold or Purple Potatoes, Dino Kale, Cucumbers or Zucchini.
Thursday Produce Boxes:

Salad, Beets, Radishes, Gold or Purple Potatoes, Dino Kale, Cucumbers or Zucchini.

 
Pickled Beets a Summer Refreshment!

There are many ways to pickle beets.  After boiling or roasting your beets until tender, you could bake a quick brine.  Alternatively, you could ferment your beets in a mason jar.  For fermented beets, simply cut and roast enough beets to fill a quart mason jar.  Add the cooked and cooled beets to the jar and cover with4 Tablespoons whey, 1 Tablespoon sea salt, 2 cardamom pods and filtered water. Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for 3 days before putting in the refrigerator.  Here are the step by step instructions inspired by Nourishing Traditions.

 
Juice Boxes:  
Carrots, Beets, Cucumbers, Raspberries, Nectarines, Kale, Lemons
 
Cinnamon Nectarine Smoothie!
     During the heat of the summer months, I like to add spices, seeds, nut milks and frozen fruit into my smoothies.  It makes the drink more of a meal and satisfies my thirst for something sweet and frozen.  Here is a recipe and photo by
The Pantry of Eden. As with all smoothie recipes, feel free to adapt to the recipe as you please.
1 medium ripe nectarine, pitted and chopped
1 pitted Medjool date
1/4 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened almond or hemp milk
2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

 
Farm Sign
Downtown Santa Rosa Walk Campaign
Join Laguna Farm at the Church of the Incarnation this Saturday at 9:00 to walk the surrounding neighborhoods. We want to get the word out that we have a neighborhood CSA pickup at the corner of Mendocino and Cherry Street downtown.  If you would like to hand out invitations to the neighbours here, show up at 9:00 6/24 and join us!  Hit reply if you need more information.
Laguna Farm  | (707) 823-0823 | jennifer@lagunafarm.com | www.lagunafarm.com

 

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