May 12, 2024
Tunnel Vision
by Farmer Derek

Harvest #2 (Week B) should include kale, arugula, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, bok choy, daikon radishes, watermelon radishes, garlic chives, komatsuna, lettuce mix, and green garlic. Some items will be a choice. No u-pick yet.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Tunnel-Vision-3059/

May 12, 2024
Workshifts this Week (5/13/24)
by Farmer Derek

This week's workshift schedule:

Bring gloves, water, a hat, sturdy shoes, and a pad for kneeling (if necessary for you).

We meet under the large red maple at the end of the barn by the pick up room.

Please be here by the scheduled start time (it might be hard to find us in the fields otherwise).

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Workshifts-this-Week-51324-3060/

May 12, 2024
Spring Veggie Assortment
by Linda Dansbury

Welcome to Week 2 of the 2024 harvest! I have been a part of Anchor Run Farm since its inception, assisting fellow members with how to enjoy their harvest. We realize that sometimes the amount we receive each week can be a bit overwhelming, especially for new members. Here are thoughts on some of the veggies we will see in the pick up room this week.

Komatsuna - I had not heard of this green that is in the same family as mustard, broccoli, etc. As such, it is very nutritious. Store it as you do other greens in plastic bags or containers with a towel or paper towel so it doesn't sit in water, which hastens rotting. Young leaves can be added to salads, while the stems and older leaves are delicious steamed, in stir fries and soups. Komatsuna can be used as a substitute for any recipe calling for bok choy or mustard greens.

Green Garlic - Simply garlic that has not formed its large bulb yet. I love that the farm gives us garlic over such a long period of time. Green garlic is more mild and does not store as well as hardened off garlic that we receive in the fall does, so store in the fridge. Use the entire plant! Just cut off any tough leaves and use the rest! Because of the more mild flavor, long cooking will dull the flavor somewhat so I really like to use in stir fries, dips, guacamole, etc.

Garlic Chives - An herb in the same family as chives, but as the name says, they are garlicky in flavor. Cooking will cause the flavor to dull, so for best results add them at the very end of a cooked dish, or chop them into salads or dips, potato and pasta salads.

Bunch Radishes and Turnips - These are both equally delicious sliced in salads, enjoyed with your favorite dip/hummus, roasted and sliced and sautéed with herbs. Don't toss the greens! They can be stir-fried, added to soups or stews, or frozen to use at a later time!

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Spring-Veggie-Assortment-3061/

May 12, 2024
Back and Forth
by Farmer Derek

Now that we've returned to a more normal spring weather pattern with an 85-degree day followed by one with a high of 55 degrees and precipitation seemingly every-other day, we can at least suspend irrigating outdoor crops for the time being. After three weeks without any rain, we've been fortunate to receive some very delicate and drawn out precipitation events and not the inundating heavy rainfall we've become more accustomed to. We're right in the middle of the mad planting season and every week has a long list of crops that need to be planted, so fields that aren't too soggy are much appreciated right now. It's also the time of transitioning to summer season planting with beans, basil, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, tomatillos, and flowers all needing to find homes in the fields. Fortunately most of the crops have a place and a space ready for them and now we just need to find the time to get them in the ground in between rain events. Some aren't quite ready to be transplanted, but by the end of next week most will be in their final location to thrive and grow for a few months.

It's mid-May and we're on the cusp of peak weed season. Abundant moisture plus warm temperatures equals rapid weed seed germination and growth. Thus, workshift season commences! CSA members participating in workshifts is an integral component of successfully growing organic crops here and we greatly value your help in the fields (which is why we offer a discount on share prices if you work)! Look for anywhere from two to four workshifts scheduled each week, weather depending. Typically we host one on Sunday mornings, one on a weeknight, and a couple during weekdays. Log in and sign up through the calendar on our website. See you in the fields!

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Back-and-Forth-3062/

May 12, 2024
Spring Ideas
by Linda Dansbury

Spring veggies are so welcomed after the dreary winter weather, which this year doesn't seem to go away. Here are a few of the things I enjoyed this past week.

Turnips and turnip tops - I made a delicious Japanese soup - it did have a few steps, but it was well worth it. Cooked cubed up turnips in a dashi broth until tender. Placed in blender and blended until smooth and put back in pot to keep warm. Chopped up turnip tops and boiled for 2 minutes. Placed in blender with a bit of the turnip soup and whirred up until smooth. Put turnip soup in bowls and topped with some of the greens puree and swirled it to make it look pretty. Serve warm. It was delicious for a cool night.

Lettuce, arugula - I love tender spring salads and no need to to dress heavily. Just a bit of salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of a mild olive oil. Slice watermelon radishes, salad radishes or turnips into the mix if you like. Enjoy!

Bok choy, komatzuna, green garlic - Yummy simple stir fry. Separated leaves from stalks and chopped all. Sautéed a bit of onion with chopped green garlic. After a minute added the bok choy stalks and komatsuna stem, mixed them around for a minute and added the greens. Added a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil at the end. Mixed well and enjoyed.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Spring-Ideas-3064/

May 12, 2024
Instagram Page Update
by Farmer Dana

To our members that follow the farm on Instagram, unfortunately our account was hacked within the last month and we lost our old page and content. We started a new account and if you're interested in following us, @anchorrunfarm is our new 'handle'. It was sad to lose the photographic history of the farm in that format, but we are inspired to start fresh and build a new page. Definitely all small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for your support as always!

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Instagram-Page-Update-3065/

May 6, 2024
A Note On Storage
by Farmer Dana

Over the years many members have asked what the best way to store farm veggies is. Ours is probably not the best storage method but it works just super for us. We hang on to plastic bags that we acquire through other purchases and repurpose them, rinsing and drying them between uses. Big bags (like 2 gallon zip lock bags) work the best. In general we group similar items in the bags with each other. For example with this harvest I put lettuces together, kale and bok choy together, the roots and green garlic together, and the swiss chard all by its little lonesome. Then store in the refrigerator, not in the very back or on the top, or wherever is susceptible to freezing in your fridge. Easy peasy.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/A-Note-On-Storage-3050/

May 6, 2024
Pick Up Days and Times Plus Farm Communication
by Farmer Dana

- Pick up days are Tuesdays 1-8pm, Thursdays 1-8pm, and Saturdays 9am–12pm (new hours). You're assigned a permanent pick up day but you may temporarily switch to a different day or week.

- If you need to temporarily switch your pick up day and/or week, please email us by 5pm Monday prior to your pick up day.

- After each pick up we'll look at the sign in sheets and if your name is not checked off we will contact you to see if you did miss pick up and want to reschedule.

- We sent an email earlier last weekend reminding you of your designated pick up day and week. Please email us if you did not receive it. It was sent to the primary account holder's email address. If you did not receive it in your inbox, check spam or another folder. It's a good idea to make sure our emails end up in a place you'll notice them since this is how we communicate farm information, events, etc.

- You can log in and view your information on your members page, including share size, pick up day, work history, and balance.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Pick-Up-Days-and-Times-Plus-Farm-Communication-3051/

May 6, 2024
Pick Up Essentials
by Farmer Dana

- BYO baskets/bags/boxes to bring your harvest home. Sometimes we have donated shopping bags on hand to pack your shares in, but sometimes we don’t! (Also, our produce is not packaged in any way, so bringing your own bags is important if you want produce kept separate within a larger container. This is a small way we can reduce farm plastic waste. One member last year let us know that their plastic waste is reduced by half when they are picking up shares from the farm - great news!)

- Check off your name on the sign-in sheet before collecting your share from the barn. Organized by share size and alphabetically by last name.

- Follow harvest amounts written on the chalk boards labeled with your share size (full, half, medium).

- If you need help with anything please feel free to ask a Farm Staffer in the barn for help at anytime!

- Parking is available in the large stone lot at the end of the driveway. Parking next to the barn is available for people with physical challenges and for cars with sleeping kids.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Pick-Up-Essentials-3052/

May 6, 2024
U-Pick Information
by Farmer Dana

- Check the u-pick board in the hallway for u-pick crops and amounts before picking. Amounts listed are per share.

- Only crops listed on the board are available for u-pick.

- U-pick crops and weekly allotments can be harvested any day of the week, 8am–8pm Monday through Sunday of your pick up week. So if you can’t do your u-pick on your scheduled pick up day, feel free to come back any other day that week.

- BYO scissors for herbs and flowers.

- We provide half-pint, pint, and quart u-pick baskets for members to measure and harvest into. Please save these and reuse them as much as possible. If you have some that are still in good shape at the end of the season we'll gladly accept them back.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/UPick-Information-3053/

May 6, 2024
Welcome!
by Farmer Derek

Harvest #1 (Week A) should include kale, arugula, salad radishes, hakurei turnips, bok choy, daikon radishes, watermelon radishes, garlic chives, komatzuna, and green garlic. Some items will be a choice. No u-pick yet.

FYI we do our best to predict the harvest but we don't always get it 100% right.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Welcome-3054/

May 6, 2024
Workshifts this Week (5/6/24)
by Farmer Derek

This week's workshift schedule:

Bring gloves, water, a hat, sturdy shoes, and a pad for kneeling (if necessary for you).

We meet under the large red maple at the end of the barn by the pick up room.

Please be there by the scheduled start time.

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Workshifts-this-Week-5624-3055/

May 6, 2024
Instagram Page Update
by Farmer Dana

To our members that follow the farm on Instagram, unfortunately our account was hacked within the last month and we lost our old page and content. We started a new account and if you're interested in following us, @anchorrunfarm is our new 'handle'. It was sad to lose the photographic history of the farm in that format, but we are inspired to start fresh and build a new page. Definitely all small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for your support as always!

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Instagram-Page-Update-3058/

May 6, 2024
Tale of Two Extremes So Far
by Farmer Derek

Way back in March and early April we were dealing with pretty substantial amounts of rainfall. March was a record-breaking month, then we received 5"+ in the first week of April. After that, we barely received a drop for three whole weeks. Besides rain, the temperature has been somewhat erratic as well, going from near 90 degrees to a high in the 50s the following day. It's been an interesting ride thus far to say the least, but overall the farm is in good shape and crops are shaping up nicely. Every year/season is a bit different but one thing we count on is a weather roller coaster. As a fairly diverse farm growing a wide array of crops, another sure thing is the success of most crops, and probably a failure of one or two along the way. It's not a terrible insurance policy, but it's the only one that works for a diversified organic produce farm. There's also never a dull moment and always something to do, which should be good with the right perspective. Anyway, we're thrilled to start the harvest season and welcome all of you back to the farm for another hopefully-great season!

Link: https://www.anchorrunfarm.com/blog/Tale-of-Two-Extremes-So-Far-3057/