{ Community Supported Agriculture Newsletter {

TODAY is the LAST PICK-UP!!!

Dear CSA Members:

We farmers feel mixed emotions at the end of a growing season. On the one hand, we are sad to see the end of the bountiful fresh produce from the fields. On the other hand, we know full well that the growing season is finished: the vegetables tell us so, as do the trees, the pastures, the geese flying South, the sunlight, the soil and the temperature. The march of the seasons in the northeast continues, and so we begin to put our fields to bed for their winter rest.

2006 was a great season for us here at Hawthorne Valley Farm. As I see it, there are three main reasons, although as with any living being, there are always a myriad of interrelated variables. The three reasons that are first and foremost in my mind are:

(1) we have a great team of farmers, apprentice farmers and devoted CSA members,

(2) we had relatively good weather conditions, considering the flooding this summer in nearby locations, and
(3) last winter we spent some capital money and bought a second garden cultivating tractor.

The health of the farm itself and the soils that grow our vegetables are really the most important factor in anything we do here, but that factor is always steadily improving and is not unique to the 2006 season.

During the upcoming winter months, we will be milking the cows, feeding the summer hay, tending to our compost piles, raising the calves, pigs and piglets, and planning for the 2007 growing season. I will also, as requested, write some winter newsletters to keep everyone up to date on the farm over the winter. The rhythms of the farm life, the hard work and the bountiful harvest, the fresh air, the sun and the rain, the tools, systems and team work that make it all happen, are all part of the CSA. I hope that you have enjoyed this season as much as I have!

Thank you, CSA members for being a vital part of this farm and our local food system,

-Farmer Katy

Looking Forward

to Next Season

End-of-Season postcards and deposit forms to reserve your share for CSA Season 2007 will be arriving in your mailbox.

By returning them promptly, you not only reserve a share but also help us with pre-season planning, which is done over the winter months.

Riverdale CSA News:

At Riverdale Neighborhood House, Bronx, NY

Winter Shares

Sign up by November 16^th for December – May deliveries

Join Riverdale’s Winter CSA 2006-2007! Support our CSA farmers with monthly purchases from Hawthorne Valley Farm, CSA Pastured Meat and Poultry, and a 4 month vegetable and fruit share from Windflower Farm. Pick up will be one Saturday morning per month (TBD). For more info, call 718-549-8100 x129.

Potluck Harvest Celebration Sunday, November 5th from 5-7pm

This is a great opportunity to thank our farmers (they are invited), our Site Manager, and each other for working so well together! The Riverdale CSA Potluck is open to shareholders and their guests. To RSVP and indicate what dish you will bring, call 718-549-8100 x129 or send an e-mail to kentwistle@optonline.net.

Apples

9/28 Drying Apples

9/28 Thompson-Finch Farm Apple Varieties

9/28 Beets and Apples with Onions

10/19 Winter Vegetable Soup

Arugula

9/14 Ravioli Stuffed with…Arugula & Goat Cheese Filling

Basil

7/27 Classic Pesto

Beets

6/15 Glazed Baby Beets

6/15 Beet Green Gratin

6/22 Beet Relish

7/20 Beet and Leek Salad with Peanut Dressing

9/28 Beets and Apples with Onions

10/12 Beets & Carrots with West Indian Spices

Blueberry

7/20 Blueberry Compote

8/13 Blueberry-Lemon Sorbet

Bok Choy

6/22 Bok Choy and Snap Pea Salad

8/31 Asian-Style Greens w/ Sesame, Ginger & Soy Sauce

Cabbage, Napa & Savoy

7/06 Seth’s Summer-Style Kimchi

7/06 Japanese Coleslaw with Sesame Seeds

9/14 Summer Minestrone

Carrots

10/5 Carrot and Red Lentil Ragout

10/12 Beets & Carrots with West Indian Spices

Celeriac

10/12 Purée of Roasted Garlic and White Vegetables

10/12 Leek, Potato and Celeriac Soup

10/26 Roasted Winter Vegetables

10/26 Lentils with Wine-Glazed Winter Vegetables

Chard

6/08 Turnips with Swiss Chard

7/13 Seared Rainbow Chard with Leeks

9/07 Lentil Soup with Chard and Onions

9/14 Ravioli Stuffed with…Chard & Ricotta Filling

Collards

8/10 Cooking with Collards

8/10 Collard-Green Olive Pesto

Cucumbers

7/27 Cucumber-Dill Soup

8/24 Chinese Cucumber Salad

Daikon Radish

7/06 Seth’s Summer-Style Kimchi

7/06 Japanese Coleslaw with Sesame Seeds

7/06 Marinated Asian Salad

Dill

7/13 Freckled Zucchini with Lemon-Dill Cream

7/13 Garlic-Dill Mayonnaise

7/27 Dilled Summer Soup

7/27 Cucumber-Dill Soup

Fennel

8/03 Fennel Tips

8/03 Green Bean Salad with Walnuts, Fennel & Goat Cheese

Green Beans

8/03 Green Bean Salad with Walnuts, Fennel & Goat Cheese

8/03 Salade Nicoise

9/14 Summer Minestrone

Greens, Salad

6/08 Garlic-Anchovy Dressing

6/22 Lemon Vinaigrette

6/22 Snap Pea and Cashew Salad

Kale

6/29 Kale and Quinoa Pilaf

6/29 Kale Salad

8/17 Potato Casserole

9/21 Kale with Tomatoes & Onions

Kohlrabi

6/15 Kohlrabi info

6/15 Kohlrabi Slaw with Honey Ginger Dressing

6/29 Turnips and Kohlrabi with Greens

Leeks

7/13 Seared Rainbow Chard with Leeks

7/20 Beet and Leek Salad with Peanut Dressing

7/20 Baked Omelet with Zucchini, Leeks, Feta and Herbs

9/28 Frizzled Leeks

10/12 Leek, Potato and Celeriac Soup

Potatoes

8/03 Salade Nicoise

8/17 Potato Casserole

10/12 Leek, Potato and Celeriac Soup

Pumpkin

10/19 Mashed Pumpkin

10/19 Farmer John's Pumpkin Soup

10/26 Curried Pumpkin Soup

Snap Peas

6/22 Snap Pea and Cashew Salad

6/22 Bok Choy and Snap Pea Salad

Tomatoes

8/10 Tabbouleh

8/17 Tomates a la Provencale

8/24 Chunky Gazpacho

8/24 Ratatouille

8/31 Roasted Corn-Tomato Salsa

9/14 Summer Minestrone

Turnips

6/08 Turnips with Swiss Chard

6/29 Turnips and Kohlrabi with Greens

8/31 Japanese Turnips

10/5 Turnips and Carrots with Herb Butter

10/12 Purée of Roasted Garlic and White Vegetables

10/19 Winter Vegetable Soup

Winter Squash

9/07 Delicata Squash & Roasted Mushrooms with Thyme

9/21 Butternut Squash Soup

10/5 Warm Couscous and Roasted Vegetable Salad

10/19 Winter Vegetable Soup

10/26 Acorn Squash and Kale Over Penne

10/26 Roasted Winter Vegetables

Zucchini/Summer Squash

7/13 Greek Zucchini Cakes

7/13 Freckled Zucchini with Lemon-Dill Cream

7/20 Baked Omelet with Zucchini, Leeks, Feta & Herbs

7/27 Dilled Summer Soup