Hearts Content Organic Farmstead

Fields of Opportunity

2011-08-09T11:19:00.003-04:00

A field walk was all it took yesterday to boost everbody's mood and morale. Despite all this talk of such a difficult season, we realized the garden isn't suffering as much as we initially thought. We have tomato plants booming as far as the eye can see, beautiful bush beans, beets, potatoes, winter squash and much more to come! So we are relieved and delighted, to say the least, that our garden has survived the drought and harsh conditions. We will let our plants rest today and absorb as much of this much anticipated rain as possible.

This week we are yet aagain adding a little more variety to the baskets. Available this week (in CSA shares and at Market) is: patty-pan squash, zucchini, beans (burgandy; turn green when cooked!), arugula, cilantro, swiss chard, hot pepper (VERY hot!), and garlic.

Featured veggies this week includes a synopsis on cilantro (a herb). Often confused with Italian flat leaf parsley, cilantro is native to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions of the world. Cultivation of cilantro dates back to 5,000 BC and continues to play an essential role in a wide variety of ethnic foods including not only Indian and Chinese but in Latin American traditions as well. Due to its vast history, cilatnro can be enjoyed in a variety of ways in many Mexican, Asian, South American and Thai foods. It can be substituted for basil in pesto, sprinkled on many foods as a garnish, added to salsa, guacamole or dressings and it pairs well with seafood, chicken and beans. There are also many health benefits to including cilantro in your diet such as providing powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial protection. So Spice it Up!

See you at market this week!

-- Your Heart's Content Farmers :)

Maritime Weather to come to Ontario?

2011-08-03T13:31:00.002-04:00

A member of our farm team recently travelled to New Brunswick for the long weekend. There she was graced with a beautiful balance of weather conditions. The air held little moisture and the breeze coming off the Atlantic was just the right amount to chill the hot rays of the beating sun. Rain, usually an unwelcomed guest on vacation, was embraced due to the dry conditions experienced at home in Southwestern Ontario. So can we control the weather conditions so as to harness those prominent in the Maritimes? Likely not, but it doesn't hurt to dream!

Another week of work has provided for a rather plentiful harvest. This week the CSA members will find the following in their baskets:

Purslane, Garlic, Kale, Chard, Chocolate Mint, Patty-pan Squash, Basil and Lemon Basil, Lettuce, Salad Mix, and Rhubarb.

The featured veggies this week are purslane and basil. Purslane is a widespread and abundant annual succulent in North America. Purslane's nutritional components should definitely not be overlooked. It is higher in omega-3 than kale, has more than four times the vitamin E of turnip leaves and is high in antioxidants such as glutathione. It is best eaten raw in salads or juiced.

Basil is a very delicate aromatic herb, widely used in Thai and Italian cooking. Drying basil is not recommended but rather, freezing basil is preferred to preserve flavour and nutrients. Basil provides a calming effect to the stomach which can aid in easing constipation and digestion.

Come out and visit us at the Farmer's Markets in Brantford and Ancaster this week!

-- Heart's Content Farmers :)

Rain Dances to Help Overcome Drought?

2011-07-20T11:45:00.003-04:00

An extremely wet spring, followed by an incredibly hot and dry summer; these extreme weather conditions remind us of just how dependent the success of our crops are on Mother Nature.

In terms of providing the garden with adequate water, we have definitely found it to be somewhat of a struggle. Our water sources are two shallow wells which are not replenishing quickly due to the drought conditions. However, with our make-shift irrigation system, hard-work and determination we have managed to stay semi on-top of things.

Again this week, we have a nice variety of vegetables we are sending out in our CSA baskets and available for sale at Market. Available this week:

Lettuce (green and long leaf red)
Green Onions
Kale
Asian Salad Greens
Arugula
Basil

Our two featured veggies in this weeks newsletter are arugula and kale. By including a variety of lettuce and greens in your diet you are ensuring the absoprtion of many health-promoting phytonutrients. Arugula is commonly added to Salad Mixes for it's spicy contribution to the salad. Arugula is low in calories and provides a good source of Vitamin A.

Kale is one variety of collard greens; which typically have a smokey flavour and meaty texture. Jam packed with cancer fighting nutrients, kale is a must-have in any nutritional diet. Nutrients are best kept by steaming for preparation.

Please think of us this week and think of rain and hopefully this, coupled with our rain dances will aid in us persevering the current challenges we are facing in our fields due to a lack of water. See you this week at market!

-- Heart's Content Farmers

What's Growin' On?

2011-07-13T10:55:00.002-04:00

We are excited to announce that we will be providing our CSA shareholders with their first harvest basket this week. Extreme efforts have been put forth by members of our farm to ensure perserverance through a tough season and in providing our shareholders with their share of fresh organic veggies for the season. Although later than initially planned, most of our veggies have been planted and are showing amazing signs of progress and growth.

We have a nice variety of vegetables available this week, with an increase occurring as the season progresses (and as rain and sunlight allow!). Visit us this week at market and you can go home with fresh organic:

Lettuce (green & long leaf red)
Green Onions
Kohlrabi (green)
Garlic Scapes
Asian Salad Greens
Radishes

Our featured veggies this week are kohlrabi and garlic scapes, always the two on the popular list of "What do I do with this?". Kohlrabi is of German origin, "kohl" means cabbage and "rabi" means turnip, is just how kohlrabi tastes but with a tinge of sweetness. This nutritious veggie is rich in Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins. Kohlrabi provides necessary dietary fibres and minerals such as potassium, calcim and manganese. Regular eating of kohlrabi is believed to lower the chances of cancer.

Garlic scapes are the curly tail atop the garlic stem which can be harvested before the crop is ready. Scapes can be used in much the same manner as garlic or green onions. Garlic and onion belong to the same family and have for years been praised for their healing properties.

We hope to see you out at market this season gathering your supply of fresh organic veggies!

2011-06-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

CSA Agreement 2011

2011-04-29T18:35:00.001-04:00

Hearts Content Organic Farmstead

27 Ronald Road, RR#8

Brantford, Ontario N3T 5M1

(519) 647-0307 - heartscontentfarm@gmail.com

New Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Member Agreement

What’s a CSA?

A CSA connects a farmer directly with consumers. By being a member you are pre-purchasing a share in the season’s harvest. All our vegetables are
grown organically, free of genetic modification, chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

As a CSA member, each week from June 27 to October 8 (the last basket will be delivered on Saturday October 8) you will receive a healthy, local food
box of vegetables and sometimes fruits, produced on our farm, Plus a bonus early bird basket some time in June

Pick-up Depots

Hearts Content Organic Farmstead has two convenient depots for you to pick up its organic food boxes. One is located at the Ancaster Farmers Market
Wednesdays from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, and one at the Brantford Farmers Market Saturdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Just select the one that works for
you. You can also visit us on the farm to pick up your vegetable box.

Farm pickup is on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 7:00 pm.

We also have free range organic eggs for sale for $5.00 a dozen or $80.00 for one dozen free range organic eggs weekly for the season.

Yes, I will become a CSA member with Hearts Content Organic Farmstead.

Name:

Address:

Phone Number:

Email address (if applicable):

☐ Full Share $450

Choose your Pick Up Location

☐ Ancaster Farmers Market ☐ Brantford Farmers Market

☐ Farm Pickup

Please return this form and a cheque payable to “Richard Tunstall”

Thank you!