I’m taking a break this week from the blog to get started on our strawberry jam. It’s a slow process that really captures the flavor and scent of our strawberries in a jar. It will be ready in our CSA store in the next few weeks. We have a few loaves of organic sourdough available to purchase in the store today, so make sure to grab one if you’ve been wanting to check it out.
CSA Contains: STRAWBERRIES CARROTS BROCCOLI HASS AVOCADOS CUCUMBERS GREEN ZUCCHINI RED LEAF LETTUCE SWEET SPRING YELLOW ONIONS FENNEL GREEN CABBAGE BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, ITALIAN PARSLEY, POTATOES, BABY SPINACH, STRAWBERRIES
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE STRAWBERRIES BROCCOLI CUCUMBERS ZUCCHINI
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE GREEN CABBAGE CUCUMBERS RED BEETS STRAWBERRIES ITALIAN PARSLEY BABY SPINACH FENNEL LACINATO KALE
I spoke with John this morning to get a farm update. He mentioned that we’ve been planting cauliflower, lettuce and doing lots of weeding. “We’re always planting lettuce,” he added. That’s so we can have it available every week for you. Zucchini and cucumbers are coming in the next few weeks. We’re still about a month behind with our plantings from all the rain, but we’re on a roll now with summer on the horizon. There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes changes with our employees on the farm. Change is certain, so everyone involved is dedicated more than ever to keep things going as they have been. John Givens farm will never be a huge farm and with less and less access to selling our products wholesale, it’s more important than ever to use our local outlets to support the farm. Our CSA program is a great way to do that and remember, we’re at your local farmers markets as well.
Be good to each other
CSA Contains:
STRAWBERRIES CARROTS BABY SPINACH from SUNRISE ORGANICS SALAD MIX LACINATO KALE RED BEETS LEEKS ASPARAGUS SUGAR SNAP PEAS CHIVES BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, STRAWBERRIES, ASPARAGUS, SUGAR SNAPS, RED LEAF LETTUCE
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS SALAD MIX BABY SPINACH STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS ASPARAGUS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE GREEN CABBAGE PIXIE TANGERINES RED BEETS STRAWBERRIES CILANTRO BABY SPINACH FENNEL LACINATO KALE
FRUIT EXPANSION: FUJI APPLES from FIRST FRUITS + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED LEAF LETTUCE MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from FAR WEST FUNGI
While the progress of our crops gains momentum, we’re still a bit behind our usual schedule. I’m looking forward to zucchini in the near future. Strawberries are reaching maturity daily and are available in our CSA store in 3 packs for a limited time. Don’t forget to stock up for Mother’s Day! Or consider giving your mom a veggie box. Nothing says “you’re the greatest” like a freshly picked box of organic fruits and veggies.
Let me know if you’d like to try our organic sourdough bread sourced from San Julian Ranch. If you’re interested, send me a quick email.
I wanted to highlight the new soup we’re offering. To summarize from their website, LovSoup: James has over 30 years of working professional culinary experience and a degree from Le Cordon Bleu’s California Culinary Academy. Being a Santa Barbara resident since 1999 and a private chef for 20 years, he brings a unique perspective to feeding families and individuals who are focused on health and nutrition. James is focused on feeding his family healthy organic food as easily and inexpensively as possible without reducing quality. James has a deep commitment to the local farming community and has existing contracts with local farmers, farm box companies, and community groups. He is proud to be a link in the local food system by connecting the farmer to the local consumer. He gets much of his produce from us! Check out the carrot, rice and dandelion soup that’s offered right now and let us know which others you’d like to see.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS STRAWBERRIES CARROTS GREEN LEAF LETTUCE BABY SPINACH ARTICHOKES LACINATO KALE SWEET SPRING ONIONS DILL FINGERLING POTATOES BIG ADD: CARROTS, KOHLRABI, STRAWBERRIES, RED LEAF LETTUCE, ASPARAGUS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS GREEN LEAF LETTUCE BABY SPINACH STRAWBERRIES FINGERLING POTATOES BLUEBERRIES
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLES BLUEBERRIES RED BEETS STRAWBERRIES CILANTRO BABY SPINACH DANDELION GREENS LACINATO KALE
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED LEAF LETTUCE MUSHROOM MIX: Shiitake
Our farm is undergoing some personnel shifts. One of my favorite people and a long time friend retired from the farm last week. Dana has been with our farm for over 20 years and is moving to Chico. We had a party for him and fed all the workers on the farm in appreciation of their hard work. Here’s a great picture I captured of Jesus, our former foreman of over 30 years, Dana (in the middle) and John. I feel like the only thing you can really count on in farming (and possibly in life) is change. Sending Dana lots of love and positive vibes as he moves on to the next chapter of his life. If you know Dana and want to keep in touch his email address is Dolsen6969@AOL.com.
One more reminder for our bi-weekly members: we’ve started proudly offering 100% organic sourdough bread loaves as a subscription in our CSA boxes. Check out the beautiful loaves here on our Instagram. They’re baked fresh on Wednesday morning, tucked into a paper bag with the ingredients on the label and included in your box. I’ve had nothing but positive reviews and we’re excited to be moving forward with this and supporting a local baker on San Julian Ranch.
Sending you spring vibes this week as our crops finally get a chance to germinate in the fields. After a long rainy winter, it’s nice to see the veggies gaining momentum. We’re looking forward to a little more rain this week. Hopefully just enough to water the thirsty ground.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE RED BEETS SWEET SPRING ONIONS SUGAR SNAP PEAS STRAWBERRIES COLLARDS GREENS BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS ARTICHOKES from SUNRISE ORGANICS BABY SPINACH from SUNRISE ORGANICS BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, PEAS, STRAWBERRIES, ROMAINE LETTUCE, ARTICHOKES
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE STRAWBERRIES SWEET SPRING ONIONS ARTICHOKES SUGAR SNAP PEAS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE GREEN CABBAGE FUJI APPLES RED BEETS STRAWBERRIES ITALIAN PARSLEY BABY SPINACH FENNEL COLLARD GREENS
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE LETTUCE MUSHROOM MIX: CHESTNUT
After a long, cold winter we are delighted to include the season’s first strawberries in our boxes. If you’ve wondered why our strawberries taste so good, it’s because we carefully choose each variety and grow all of our produce for flavor and these berries are no exception. They aren’t grown with the thought that they’re going to sit on a truck, then on a warehouse shelf and on a store shelf before they make it to you. We pick the berries when they are fully ripe which gives way to an unrivaled taste that will forever set the bar. Yes, some produce gets sold to distributors that truck it around the country. But we grow our food with flavor in mind that is nurtured and developed by the nutrients in the soil. We pick our fruits and veggies when they are ready to eat, with few exceptions like avocados and peaches. I distinctly remember the first time I tried a sugar snap pea from this farm. It literally changed the way I thought about fruits and veggies in an instant. I realized that those grocery stores that I thought I loved so much weren’t really loving me back with their produce section. We’re so lucky to live in Southern California and we should all be taking advantage of the local food.
This is our first week with Bunkhouse bread, based out of Rancho San Julian. Proudly 100% organic, these 2 lb sourdough loaves are offered at $12.50 and can be added on as a subscription only. This allows us to plan from week to week in advance, but in no way has you committed to continuing. Shoot me an email if you’d like to add a loaf.
We’re also introducing soup from LOVSOUP. James Adams is a local chef and creator of some seriously delicious soups. We’re starting off with the Carrot Ginger Soup with coconut milk, rice and dandelion greens. The soup will come frozen with compostable packaging. It’s so tasty and can serve as a quick, nourishing meal on the go. We love supporting our local foodies and especially so when they’re buying all their produce from our farm. Full circle.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS CILANTRO RED LEAF LETTUCE LACINATO KALE LEEKS STRAWBERRIES RED BEETS BABY SPINACH from SUNRISE ORGANICS PIXIE TANGERINES from OJAI PIXIE SUGAR SNAP PEAS BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, STRAWBERRIES, ASPARAGUS, RED BUTTER LETTUCE
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE BABY SPINACH STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS LEEKS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE GREEN CABBAGE PIXIE TANGERINES RED BEETS STRAWBERRIES CILANTRO BABY SPINACH FENNEL LACINATO KALE
FRUIT EXPANSION: GOLDEN NUGGET TANGERINES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED LEAF LETTUCE MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + LION’S MANE from FAR WEST FUNGI
Sausage, Leek, and Spinach Quiche {Paleo, Whole30}
Ingredients: 1 large sweet potato 1 Tbsp ghee or coconut oil plus sea salt for roasting potatoes 3/4 lb Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Pork Sausage 1 Tbsp ghee or coconut oil 2 large leeks white and very light green parts only, sliced thin Sprinkle of salt 1 Tbsp water 7 oz fresh baby spinach chopped 7 large eggs 1/4 cup organic coconut milk full fat, blended before adding 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast optional* 1/8 tsp black pepper (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Paleo Running Momma)
Leek, Mushroom, and Chicken Soup
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 cups thinly sliced leeks (about 2 leeks) 4 cups thinly sliced mushrooms (about 1 pound) ¼ cup coconut aminos or tamari 1 can full-fat coconut milk 3 cups bone or chicken broth ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon turmeric 1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and minced 1 teaspoon minced garlic ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes ¼ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 2-3 cups cubed leftover boneless, skinless chicken breasts (optional) (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Chelsea Joy Eats)
Cilantro-Pepita Pesto
Ingredients: 2 cups lightly packed cilantro leaves and tender stems 1 cup lightly packed parsley leaves and tender stems (or just use more cilantro!) 1/3 cup raw, unsalted pepitas 1 clove garlic, smashed (optional) 1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lime (or lemon) juice 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Freshly ground black pepper 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at A calculated Whisk)
Vegan Beet Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients: 1/2 cup cooked red beet, chopped 2 large ripe avocados, peeled and diced 1/2 cup raw cacao powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, to taste (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at the Roasted Root)
I had to get down and dirty with the weeds in my yard this weekend. I’ve been watching the malva, stinging nettles, sticker, dock and more types of weeds grow like trees. They could make a medicinal concoction if you ran them through a juicer, but left unattended, these weeds attract aphids and all sorts of other critters that don’t benefit our crops. I’ve heard that when weeds go to seed it takes about 7 years to get rid of them! I do think weeds have a purpose, though. I haven’t decided what it is yet in my yard, but I’m a huge promoter of managing them by hand. There’s something meditative about working outside with the earth. According to the US Geological Survey, about 1 billion pounds of conventional pesticides are used each year in the United States to control weeds, insects, and other pests. I can’t even comprehend the damage we’ve done to our soils and water systems since the invention of these products. Obviously being an organic farm means that we don’t engage in those practices and being part of our CSA means that you care about how your food is grown, but if we can all take better care of our soils on a day-to-day basis, our collective choices can make a huge difference in the outcome.
We will be starting up our organic sourdough bread subscriptions next week. If you’ve contacted us about receiving bread with your CSA box, I will be in touch in the next few days. We still have a few subscriptions open if you’d like to try it out. The 2 lb loaves are $12.50 and will be baked fresh Wednesday mornings on San Julian Ranch.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: ASPARAGUS from DURST FARMS RED BUTTER LETTUCE CARROTS SUGAR SNAP PEAS BEETS DILL LACINATO KALE COLLARD GREENS from SUNRISE ORGANICS BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS HASS AVOCADOS BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, RED BUTTER, ASPARAGUS, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, STRAWBERRIES
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE BLUEBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS HASS AVOCADOS ASPARAGUS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE BLUEBERRIES COLLARD GREENS RED BEETS FUJI APPLES CILANTRO BABY SPINACH FENNEL LACINATO KALE
FRUIT EXPANSION: FUJI APPLES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED LEAF LETTUCE MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE
Spring has really sprung here on the farm. A few baby goats were born and strawberries are starting ripen. It’s only a matter of weeks before we get to include them into our CSA boxes for another season. I know our farm will continue to struggle for months to come as we emerge from the big winter rains. Planting crops came to a standstill for a few months. This will inevitably lead to a shortage of products for the near future. I thought all the rain would keep bug populations down but after walking our orchards it seems the opposite as they’ve taken over a few varieties of our peach trees. I have to remind myself that insects are a critical behind the scenes part of our world and we need to adapt to and harmonize with nature. A continual process we will forever be listening to the earth and leaning into what the soil needs. We’re lucky enough as a small farm, to be able to incorporate animals, composting and crop rotation to cultivate that much needed harmony. Hope you all are enjoying some much needed and welcome sunshine.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS LEEKS ASPARAGUS from DURST FARMS WHITE CAULIFLOWER GARNET YAMS from THOMAS FARMS RED BUTTER LETTUCE CHIOGGIA BEETS from SUNRISE ORGANICS RED CABBAGE EASTER EGG RADISHES RED MUSTARD GREENS BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, ROMAINE LETTUCE, LACINATO KALE, ASPARAGUS, HASS AVOCADOS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE ASPARAGUS from DURST FARMS GARNET YAMS WHITE CAULIFLOWER CHIOGGIA BEETS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE RED CABBAGE CELERY RED BEETS FUJI APPLES ITALIAN PARSLEY BABY SPINACH FENNEL LACINATO KALE
FRUIT EXPANSION: FUJI APPLES + PIXIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE LETTUCE MUSHROOM MIX: CHESNUT
We’re still struggling to fill the boxes with the produce from our farm and continue to supplement from others. Spring might be here, but the cold and wet winter put the plants into hibernation and they decided not to grow for a few months. With warmer and longer days, we should see some new crops flourish in the next few weeks. Fingers crossed – no promises in farming! We’re finally able to start planting new crops in the ground as the top soil dries up.
In CSA store news, we are teaming up with a local baker from San Julian Ranch. She’s procuring 100% organic ingredients to bake sourdough loaves (see a picture on our IG account ) starting the third week of April. They’re being made on a subscription basis only for planning purposes. This means you can’t shop for them in our store; you can only add onto your subscription. However, subscribing doesn’t mean you need to continue indefinitely; we’ll require a week’s notice to discontinue. We have a few more slots available. Please send me an email if you are interested and have yet to secure a spot.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS ROMAINE LETTUCE LACINATO KALE SUGAR SNAP PEAS BROCCOLI from COKE FARM ITALIAN PARSLEY from SUNRISE ORGANICS FENNEL LEEKS BUNCHED SPINACH from SUNRISE ORGANICS BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, RED LEAF LETTUCE, ASPARAGUS, RED POTATOES
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS ROMAINE LETTUCE SUGAR SNAP PEAS BROCCOLI BUNCHED SPINACH BLUEBERRIES
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE CELERY RED BEETS FUJI APPLES ITALIAN PARSLEY BUNCHED SPINACH FENNEL LACINATO KALE BLUEBERRIES
FRUIT EXPANSION: FUJI APPLES + BLUEBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED LEAF MUSHROOM MIX: LIONS MAINE
Happy Spring! I’d usually be looking forward to some of the year’s first strawberries and tomatoes, but the rain slowed down the arrival of these crops. Even though we aren’t seeing a lot of fruit yet I know we are in for a great year ahead full of abundance. We’ll be working through one more rain pattern this week. I finally bought some new rain boots, so I’m hoping that will be the end of our rainy season, because isn’t that how it goes?
In addition to all that’s on the farm I’ve been so happy to go out into the wild and forage what mother nature is offering. We’ve been munching on miner’s lettuce on our walks, mixing nettles into our pesto and trying all sorts of edible wildflowers like borage (aka starflower) and nasturtium and flowering veggies with our meals. It took me having kids to discover the beauty that surrounds us. Both of my kids attended an outdoor preschool and now they teach me more about edible plants than I ever knew. Connecting with nature has helped me reconnect with my inner child and heal my body in so many ways. It’s helped me slowdown, which my younger self really struggled to do and stay present. I hope you find some meditation or ritual with your CSA box. A weekly practice of cleaning and prepping food can be quite healing and nurturing on its own. Sending gratitude your way for supporting our farm and this CSA program. We couldn’t do it without you.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS CILANTRO RED LEAF LETTUCE LACINATO KALE LEEKS RED CABBAGE RED BEETS BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS BROCCOLI BUNCHED SPINACH from SUNRISE ORGANICS BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, RED BUTTER, GARNET YAMS, 1 LB of BRUSSELS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE BLUEBERRIES LACINATO KALE RED CABBAGE BROCCOLI
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE RED CABBAGE CELERY RED BEETS FUJI APPLES CILANTRO BUNCHED SPINACH FENNEL LACINATO KALE
FRUIT EXANSION: KIWI + BLUEBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED BUTTER MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE & LIONS MAINE
We’re right on the cusp of another wet weather pattern here. The farm has definitely been struggling through this wet and cold winter. I suppose we’re so spoiled most years one doesn’t really expect and adjust for this kind of weather. Our CSA program will continue to rely on farms in California to make sure we have all the items we need to fill our boxes. I’m definitely focusing on the future and the blessings this rain will provide. Crossing my fingers for a lot of fruit in our orchard this year!
I was writing last week in the blog about poaaibly including some bread in our CSA boxes last week. I’ve been struggling to find an organic, wholesale baker that lines up wtih our values. Thanks so much to everyone who responded with feedback. I’ve been having a computer meltdown so apologies for the lack of response this week as I catch up. A wonderful CSA customer reached out to a local baker that goes under the name of Bunkhouse Bread. She calls it that because they live in one of the 1910 bunkhouses on Rancho San Julian. We’re going to start taking orders in mid April, but can only open 20 subscriptions to the bread at this time. I’ll be posting a picture of her beautiful artisan loaves on Instagram later today. The ingredients are 100% organic flours: bread flour and stone ground white whole wheat flour, pure sea salt, distilled water, and San Julian wild sourdough starter. Each loaf will be $12. I’m really excited to find someone who lines up with 100% organic ingredients. Please email me @ carolyn@somethinggood organics with the subject “Bread Subscription” to be the first to get the subscription and I will notify you the third week of April when we are ready to go. We are still in working with Loca Vivant and hope to be up and running with them again in the next month.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: BABY SPINACH from Sunrise Organics ITALIAN PARSLEY CARROTS SUGAR SNAP PEAS RED BUTTER LETTUCE LACINATO KALE BROCCOLI LEEKS RED CABBAGE RED BEETS BIG BOX ADD: SUGAR SNAP PEAS, CARROTS, RED LEAF LETTUCE,
JUST the BASICS: BABY SPINACH CARROTS SUGAR SNAP PEAS RED BUTTER LETTUCE BROCCOLI RED BEETS
JUICE FEAST: BABY SPINACH ITALIAN PARSLEY CARROTS ROMAINE LETTUCE LACINATO KALE RED CABBAGE RED BEETS FENNEL CELERY FUJI APPLES
FRUIT EXPANSION: FUJI APPLES & BLUEBERRIES LETTUCE OF THE WEEK: RED LEAF MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE & MATAIKE
Kale Parsley Pesto
Ingredients: 8 cups coarsely chopped kale, no stems (about 4 ounces) 2 cups fresh parsley (about 1 ounce, some stems ok) 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (walnuts or cashews would work great too) 1/2 lemon, juiced 3 cloves garlic 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at The Modern Minimalism)
Roasted Beet and Broccoli Salad with Green Tahini Dressing
Ingredients: ROASTED BEETS 3 medium beets 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar ½ teaspoon garlic powder Pinch each fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ROASTED BROCCOLI 1 bunch of broccoli, chopped into medium florets (4 heaping cups) 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Pinch each fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper GREEN TAHINI DRESSING ⅓ cup water ⅓ cup tahini ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 large garlic clove 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt Freshly ground black pepper, to taste ½ cup parsley or cilantro (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at The Up Beet Kitchen)
Sautéed Beet Greens
Ingredients: 5 cups fresh beet greens, from approximately 2 bundles of beets 1 cup beet stalks, from approximately 2 bundles of beets 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon garlic, minced ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons salted butter 1 ½ teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from ¼ lemon (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Savor the Flavor)
Red Cabbage Salad
Ingredients: 1 bunch kale thinly sliced (about 10 cups) ½ small head red cabbage thinly sliced (about 4 cups) 4 medium carrots shredded (about 2 packed cups) ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more as needed 1 large lemon juice 2 cloves garlic Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (Find the full recipe and directions here at Cooking for Peanuts)
