WEEKLY UPDATES FROM THE FARM

With the cooler weather settling in, we’re excited to welcome the season’s bounty. This week’s box brings the comforting arrival of acorn squash, a vegetable that not only tastes amazing but offers a range of health benefits. It's packed with vitamins A and C, provides a generous dose of antioxidants, fiber to support digestion and potassium for heart health. Whether you roast it with a drizzle of olive oil, stuff it with quinoa or wild rice, or blend it into a warm, cozy soup, acorn squash is a perfect companion for autumn meals.

We’re thrilled to announce that our talented bread baker, Sydney, is back after a long month of healing. At San Julian Ranch, she has truly mastered the art of baking with one arm—using her sling as her shoulder continues to recover from a dislocation. It’s been a healing journey for her in more ways than one, and we couldn’t be happier to have her back. Your guaranteed loaf is a subscription; we also have a few in our CSA store while supplies last. 

As we move into the fall season, new crops are starting to peek through the soil, so I wanted to share some delicious updates on what’s coming your way. Napa cabbage, perfect for those crunchy slaws and kimchi, and the first heads of broccoli and cauliflower are on the horizon. We’ve also planted some spinach with fingers crossed that the cooler weather holds, keeping the bugs at bay so we can enjoy it before they do!

I hope you're enjoying the last day of September! As we transition into fall, I wanted to share a few updates about what’s available in the store, in our boxes and about some community members. 

The autumn equinox yesterday marked the official start of fall, and I am finally feeling ready to fully embrace the season. There’s something special about this time of year—the crisp air, the shifting light, craving warmer, grounding foods. Our bodies naturally shift with the seasons, and fall is a time to nourish ourselves with heartier meals, slow down a bit, and sync with nature's rhythms. 🍁

I’m thrilled to start this week with some great news—Smokey, my loyal farm sidekick, is back to his old romping self! He had quite the scare last week after being bit by a rattlesnake and it didn’t look good for a while. But I’m happy to report that my squirrel-chasing, chicken-herding bestie is full of energy and spirit. It’s a huge relief, and the farm feels complete again with him around. Many thanks for everyone who reached out and held a collective prayer for him.

This week brought stark reverence for life on the farm. Our dog Smoky was bitten by a rattlesnake just steps from our home on Friday. It’s a rare case with unexpected complications, involving neurological issues, and we’re still hopeful he pulls through. It’s a reminder of how delicate life is, and how quickly things can change.

Happy Labor Day! As we celebrate the value of hard work and dedication today, I find myself reflecting on the principles we uphold on our farm. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of providing real, nourishing food for our community.

The rhythm of the seasons is kicking in. The night air is starting to carry that unmistakable crispness, signaling the gradual shift from summer's easy pace to the busier, more structured days of fall. Even if your household isn’t bound by the school calendar, this seasonal transition invites a natural reset—an opportunity to realign, refocus, and embrace the changes that this time of year brings. Whether it's adjusting routines, meal prepping to accommodate routines, or simply enjoying the cooler evenings, there's a collective shift that we're all part of as the seasons change.