Week of December 9
My dear Community,
As we approach the final weeks of the year, I’m overflowing with gratitude for the incredible people and community that make this farm possible.
To you, our CSA members: thank you for understanding the importance of buying local and supporting farms that are dedicated to keeping the soil healthy and thriving for generations to come. Your trust in us sustains not only our farm but also the vision of a more connected and sustainable food system.
Behind the scenes, it takes a whole network of people to keep this farm running smoothly. There’s our mechanic Tom, who works magic on equipment that most would deem beyond repair. There are our tractor drivers, who are up and working long before most people are pouring their first cup of coffee—and I rise pretty early! Then there’s the backbone of our operation, the dedicated farm workers who show up six days a week to plant, harvest, and do the hard work that ensures the fields are thriving and the crops are abundant.
Our CSA packing team is another indispensable part of our community. They’re an incredible group with diverse talents and passions. Among them, we have a beekeeper who shares her knowledge and love of bees with others in the community, a preschool teacher who brings a nurturing spirit to the farm, and a volunteer who dedicates his free time to helping at local food shelters. I couldn’t ask for a better team—they come together every Wednesday with loyalty and care to make this CSA happen.
Each veggie box carries promise and hope: a commitment to supporting health and reclaiming our connection to the land. For the better part of the last two decades, we worked hard to get our produce into grocery stores, but shifting policies and priorities have made it increasingly difficult for small farms like ours to maintain a foothold—or even to keep farming at all. Now, we rely more heavily on our farmers markets and CSA program, and your subscription means the world. Together, we’re making a powerful statement about the kind of food system we want for future generations—one that values local farms, healthy soil, and real community connections.
This CSA has been thriving for 14 years, and we’re excited for what’s to come. Looking to 2025, I’m determined to make our boxes accessible through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). It’s been a challenging journey—small farms like ours often don’t fit into the traditional model, and navigating the red tape has been frustrating. But with persistence and a lot of heart, I believe we can break through in the new year.
So much love goes into every box we create. It’s more than just vegetables—it’s a reflection of the incredible people who make this all happen and a testament to the strength of community. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Let’s finish 2024 strong and step into a new year filled with possibility, growth, and resilience.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains:
CARROTS
SATSUMA TANGERINES from GLENN ANNIE ORGANICS
YELLOW ONIONS
GREEN LEAF LETTUCE
FUJI APPLES from GOPHER GLEN ORGANICS
RED CHARD
WHITE CAULIFLOWER
GARNET YAMS
BUNCHED SPINACH
MOUNTAIN MAGIC TOMATOES
BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, ROMAINE LETTUCE, SATSUMA TANGERINES, BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PERSIMMONS
JUST the BASICS:
CARROTS
GREEN LEAF LETTUCE
BUNCHED SPINACH
SATSUMA TANGERINES
MOUNTAIN MAGIC TOMATOES
WHITE CAULIFLOWER
JUICE FEAST:
ROMAINE LETTUCE
BRAEBURN APPLES
LACINATO KALE
FENNEL
CILANTRO
SATSUMA TANGERINES
BUNCHED SPINACH
CARROTS X2
MEXICAN LIMES
FRUIT EXPANSION: FUJI APPLES + TANGERINES
LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE
MUSHROOM MIX: from WOLFE FARMS
Cauliflower Rice with Mushrooms and Spinach
Ingredients
10 oz frozen riced cauliflower
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups sliced mushrooms
2 cups fresh spinach
Extra soy sauce (optional, to taste)
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Foodyhealthylife
Paleo Carrot Cake with Coconut "Cream Cheese" Frosting
Ingredients
4 eggs room temperature
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup coconut oil melted and cooled to almost room temperature
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups blanched almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
Pinch nutmeg
2 and 1/2 cups shredded or grated, carrots (I use my food processor shredding attachment)
1/2 cup raisins
1 batch coconut cashew “cream cheese” frosting
Finely chopped pecans or walnuts for garnish
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Paleo Running Momma
Curried Coconut Quinoa and Greens with Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients:
Roasted Cauliflower
1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or olive oil
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sea salt
Curried coconut quinoa with greens
2 teaspoons melted coconut oil or olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon curry powder of choice (optional)
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
1 can (14 ounces) light coconut milk
½ cup water
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well in a fine mesh colander
⅓ cup raisins
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
4 cups chopped chard, spinach, maybe even kale*
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Cookie and Kate
Smashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
3 sweet potatoes (about 1 lb each)
½ cup butter
2 cloves garlic (very finely minced)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon EACH: cayenne, salt, and pepper
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Fresh thyme (for serving)
Smoky Pecans
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup pecans (coarsely chopped)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon EACH: sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at The Endless Meal
Harvest Chicken Salad With Maple Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
For The Salad:
2 teaspoons avocado oil, divided
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces (~2 cups)
1 small red onion, diced (~1 cup)
¼ teaspoon fine salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 lb raw chicken breast, cubed
4 large handfuls fresh spinach (5 ounces)
½ cup dried cranberries
1 medium apple, diced (about 1 cup)
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
For The Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing:
¼ cup mayo
3 tablespoons avocado oil
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
¼ teaspoon fine salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at The Real Food Dietitians
One Sheet Paleo Meat Balls
Ingredients
For the meatballs
1 ½ pound ground beef
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ cup almond flour
salt and pepper, to taste
The rest of ingredients
12 oz cherry tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
salt, black pepper to taste