CSA Week #18

Jonathon apples this week.

The final week of CSA! It has been a great season. The boxes were abundant and diverse. We got to try new items and enjoy old favorites. This wraps up our 5th season on the farm, our 5th season of CSA and we are so grateful to all our members who have gone along for the ride - whether you have been with us for 5 seasons or if this was your first!

CSA Week #18 Newsletter ~ featuring: farm news; Fall Share information; recipes: past recipes list, garlic herb salt, butternut squash & sage soup with sage breadcrumbs, winter squash-chipotle quesadillas. 

In the Box: Celery mini bunch, German Butterball potatoes, 2 watermelon radishes, acorn squash (full shares), broccoli (full shares), carrots (half shares), Red Russian kale, 2 yellow and 3 red onions, German Extra Hardy garlic bulb, butternut squash (half shares), 1# Jonathon apples, bunch of sage, 3/4 leeks, 2 green and 1 colored sweet bell peppers.

Building the box - it's an art. I want it to be a good experience when our members open their boxes. Thought and planning goes into the packing of each box.

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It's been a great season! Thank you all so much. Please fill our your member survey to help us be the best at what we do! Cheers~

CSA Week #17

CSA Week #17 • Wednesday, September 28th, 2016

CSA Week #17 Newsletter ~ featuring: farm news; fall share information; featured veggie: winter squash; recipes: Chard Stuffed or Unstuffed, No Waste Baked Potatoes, Roasted Acorn Squash with Sage Butter.

Week #17 ~ Sept. 28, 2016

In the Box: yellow/green bell pepper, bunch Tokyo Bekana asian greens (half shares), 1.4# carrots, arugula-mizuna mixed salad greens, acorn squash, swiss chard (full shares), 1.5# Haralson apples, 2 yellow and 3 red onions, sage, German Extra Hardy garlic, 2.5# Nicola potatoes (half shares), basil, celery mini bunch, butternut squash, 2 watermelon radishes and 1.3# leeks.

Fall Shares Now Available!

Grab a Fall Share to keep eating local and fresh into winter, and stock up your winter pantry. Items like potatoes, onions, garlic, winter squash store for months. This is a great way to pick up a little of the fall bounty Minnesota has to offer. All produce is certified organic.

Fall Shares are a mix of bountiful fall items and storage crops.

Two sizes available Full & Mini Available first-come, first served, limited quantities.

Pick up will be at the farm from 4:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday, October 26th and will be market style. Bring your own containers.

Full Fall Shares

~1/2lb garlic, 3-5lbs onions, ~10lbs potatoes, shallots, tomato-basil soup, apple butter, butternut & acorn squash, greens, 3-5lbs beets, cabbage, 2-4lbs carrots, ~2lbs leeks, table & baking apples. $80

Mini Fall Share

garlic, onions, potatoes, apple butter, winter squash, beets, leeks, greens. $25

Amounts are approximate, amounts & items may change, based on availability. Let us know if you have any questions!

How to Reserve your Fall Share

Email us at alternativerootsfarm@yahoo.com or call us at 507-439-6541.

CSA Weeks #14 - #15

Whoops! I have let this slide a bit too much. Here's a few photos and newsletter links for the last couple weeks. Three more weeks to go, plus Fall Shares!

CSA Newsletter Week #15 ~ In the Box: romaine lettuce head, ground cherries (half shares), 1 sweet bell pepper, red and yellow onions, Russian Red garlic bulbs, arugula-mizuna greens mix, shallots, Swiss chard, carrots, bunch of basil, 6-7 State Fair apples, 3/4 lb leeks, mixed quart of heirloom tomatoes.

CSA Newsletter Week #14 ~ In the Box: Carrots, Kennebec potatoes, trio of Antohi Romanian frying peppers, Swiss chard, leeks, mixed quart of heirloom tomatoes, shallots, red and yellow onions, garlic, green pepper, valencia yellow tomatoes, McIntosh apples, bunch of mizuna greens, ground cherries.

CSA Week #12

Here's the CSA delivery from last Wednesday, August 24th. I am having a hard time being very timely with these this season! Well I finally got the photos downloaded and here they are. Two thirds of the CSA season has gone by in a flash and we are starting to feel touches of fall.

CSA Newsletter Week #12 ~ featuring: FARM storm & crops update, featured veggie: bell peppers; Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe.

CSA Week #12 ~ August 24, 2016

In the Box: Celery, two big heirloom tomato slicers & two Black Trifeles, mixed kale bunch, one cucumber, 12 oz mixed heirloom beans, red & yellow onions, oregano mini bunch, pint specialty (cherry/grape) tomatoes (half shares, 7-8 State Fair apples, 2 German Red garlic, 1 leek, pint ground cherries (full shares), 3 hail damaged peppers + 2 regular peppers.

Apple Boosters began this week, member can add 2 lbs of apples to what comes in their regular CSA share (as above). This week's Apple Booster included more State Fair.

Organic State Fair apples.

CSA Week #11

Some beautiful, hefty tomatoes went into boxes yesterday. Beans continue strong and Jalafuego jalapenos add some zing - poppers anyone?! New this week are a storage onion, leeks and garlic!

CSA News Week #11 ~ featuring: farm news; leek prep tips; tips for tomatoes; fresh salsa recipe.

In the Box: Swiss chard (half shares), pint cherry/grape tomatoes (full shares) Ailsa Craig onion, German Red garlic bulb, 8 jalapenos, carrots, 1 Antohi Romanian (white) frying pepper, 12 oz mixed wax beans, 12 oz mixed green beans, cucumber, 1 lb Beacon apples, 1/2 lb leeks, 1-2 lbs summer squash, sage, 2 big (German Johnson/Black Krim) and 1 small (Black Trifele) tomatoes.

Pick up site recipe includes your apples and honey from our favorite beekeepers!

CSA Week #10

Woot! Apples showed up for the first time in our Week #10 box. Everyone received 6-7 Beacon apples, in addition to all the delicious veggies pictured below.

CSA News Week #10 ~ featuring: farm news; Evolution Cucumber Salad; Paula Dean's Zucchini Bread; Basic Roasted Veggies; featured veggie: cucumbers; and Brooke's article on Food Waste: Put Your Guilt in the Compost.

In the Box: quart mixed heirloom tomatoes, bunch basil, red/green cabbage, white/green cucumber duo, green onions, French Gray shallots, Ronde de Nice summer squash, carrots, 1# mixed green/purple beans, Swiss chard, 12oz mixed wax beans, mint, baby beets, zucchini and 1# Beacon apples.

Site host Megan came up with another great recipe!

CSA Week #9

Whew...a few days behind on this again, but here is last week's CSA delivery! Now I am going to go start harvesting for Week #10. :)

CSA Newsletter Week #9

In the Box: 12 oz bag wax beans, beets, carrots, red and yellow onion, bunch of tarragon. trio of cucumbers, green cabbage, green pepper, white frying pepper, 2 lbs red potatoes, celery, quart of mixed heirloom tomatoes, 12 oz bag green beans, French gray shallots.

CSA Week #8

CSA Week #8 ~ July 27, 2016

CSA Week #8 Newsletter ~ featuring: farm news, Farm-to-Table Dinne with Schell's Brewery, Featured veggie: broccoli, Half/Whole Hogs available, & several recipes: John's Baked Zucchini, Grilled Cabbage, Zucchini Soup.

In the Box: Cucumber trio, 1# Dragon's Tongue wax beans, 2 lbs red potatoes, 6 jalapenos, Ronde de Nice summer squash &/or zucchini, green peppers (not pictured), large bunch green onions, quart Rattlesnake beans, broccoli, cabbage, parsley, sage and pint of tomatoes!

Pick up site recipe this week.

 Garlic was all harvested! They are big and looking amazing!

Cabbage harvest for CSA.

CSA Week #6

It was a very rainy CSA harvest day, but harvest goes on and muddy beets and carrots can be washed! It has been quite a treat to have the Farm Teen helping out with folding boxes, cleaning, sorting and packing on CSA day. We get some extra time to hang out in the business of summer and she gets a little more insight into what her parents do.

New for the CSA season this week...Ronde de Nice summer squash, basil, carrots and chard.

CSA News Week #6 ~ featuring: fresh basil vinaigrette; swiss chard and caramelized onion tacos; featured veggie: beans; summer squash saute; Japanese cucumber salad.

As well as updates about our: 

     •July 23rd Garlic Harvest & Potluck, 

     •half/whole hogs for reservation

     •September 11th Farm-to-Table dinner with Schell's Brewery!

CSA Week #6 ~ July 13, 2016

In the Box: Ronde de Nice summer sqash (or zucchini), Dragon's Tongue wax beans, three cucumbers, Swiss chard bunch, beets (full shares), bag o' basil, spring onions, carrots, garlic scapes, celery (half shares) and Kale.

Herb Boosters Week #1: basil, spearmint, tarragon, mint.

CSA Week #5

We begin July with new items like wax beans, summer squash and cucumbers. Verging on the bounty of deep summer. Peas continue, spring radishes wrap up.

CSA Newsletter Week #5 ~ featuring: New Potatoes in Dill Butter; featured veggie: Onions; onions on the grill; sautéed kohlrabi.

In the Box: quart snow peas, cucumber (or zucchini), bunch parsley, quart Dragon's Tongue wax beans (half shares), garlic scapes (the curly Qs), mini celery bunch, quart shell peas, radishes, yellow spring onions, two kohlrabi, zucchini (full shares. New potatoes did not make it into boxes, as harvest excavation revealed their lack of size and readiness.

Pick up site recipe of the week, courtesy of our kind site host Megan - Warm Beans & Bacon!

I am delighted that bean season has begun! Our first beans to come in are our Dragon's Tongue wax beans, bush type. These creamy, tasty beans will carry us into our main bean season.

CSA Week #4

The first four weeks feel like they have flown by! I can't believe it has been a month already. New items this week included green onions, kohlrabi, sage and shelling peas. Peas will continue for another couple weeks, and garlic scapes for another 1-2. Then we will really have tastes of summer rolling in.

In the Box: quart snow peas, garlic scapes, Red Russian kale, bunch baby beets, quart shelling peas, bunch kohlrabi (eat your greens!), small handful of radishes, bunch green onions, sage.

CSA News Week #4  ~  featuring: crop forecast; Sage, Butter & Parm Pasta; featured veggie: Kale; two ways to prep kale; Sauteed Beet Greens; Grilled Baby Beets with Scallions & Lemon Herb Butter.

Check out the pick up site recipe of the week Mediterranean Peas.

CSA Week #3

The first delivery of summer! Officially, anyways, as it's felt like summer for a bit. New this week are butterhead lettuce, kale, radishes, mint and snow peas! One of the highlights of the day was new piglets however! Suzy and Elsa farrowed in the morning, before delivery - it was a great day altogether. Now off to pull weeds and enjoy the sunshine!

CSA News Week #3: featuring garlic scape pesto, radish butter, wilted greens with parmesan (great for swiss chard, kale, beet greens and more). 

In the Box: Butterhead and romaine lettuce, kale bunch, apple butter, big bunch garlic scapes, quart snow peas, bunch radishes, green shallots and mint.

The pick up site recipe of the week was Dinosaur Kale Salad!

A third week of lettuce showcases our Pirat butterhead - tender and beautiful.

Mint is a great refreshing herb with beneficial properties for digestion. Throw it in a cucumber salad, a pitcher of water, a mojito or brew a fresh tea. There are many ways to use this herb.

Boxes packed and ready to head out for delivery!

CSA Week #2

CSA Week #2 came and went on Wednesday, June 15th. Strawberries continued to come in strong, while the excessive heat was hard on the lettuce. Garlic scapes are new to the boxes - a delightful spring treat.

Packing up pints of strawberries.

 Week #2 CSA Newsletter 
featuring strawberry tips & tidbits, Tarragon-Shallot Vinaigrette, farm news, crop forecast.

In the Box: Salad Booster Bag (kale, chard, dandelion greens), rhubarb (Half Shares), garlic scapes (curly Qs), strawberries (2 pints for Full Shares), apple butter, green shallots, two heads of romaine lettuce, tarragon.

The field is becoming full and lush! A couple folks came out for the member meeting in May, then again more recently and couldn't believe how much it had changed. It happens fast at this early stretch of the season.

CSA Week #1

Whoops! Getting back into the routine folks, I forgot to post our photos and newsletter from Week #1 of CSA delivery on June 8th. Spring CSA boxes start our smaller and lightly, dominated by spring greens. Strawberries and lettuce are the stars.

Week #1 CSA Newsletter

In the Box: Salad Booster Bag (kale, chard, dandelion greens), stinging nettles, apple butter, 2 heads heirloom lettuce, 3/4 lb rhubarb, pint strawberries, green shallots, bunch oregano and veggie seasonality and storage guides.

First week boxes usually contain spinach and radishes as well. Spinach is a crop failure this year and radishes are far behind due to rain delay. Plenty of other goodies to enjoy!

CSA Shares Available!

This year will be our fifth season offering CSA and Farm Shares to our local community. We will continue to offer Saturday farmers' market sales as well.  We invite you to join us in this coming season's bounty and adventures by participating as a member in our Community Supported Agriculture program.

Full and Half CSA Shares are available, offering boxes of seasonal produce each week (18 weeks) or every other week (9 weeks). Full Shares are $485, Half Shares are $265, with a deposit due up front to reserve your share. More information on 2016 Shares.

CSA Boxes are filled with 7-14 seasonal items.
Mostly veggies, with apples and some herbs.

Early season share begin with strawberries, lettuce and spinach, radishes, peas, spring onions and garlic scapes, as well as some ARF apple butter.

As summer rolls in we begin to add more diversity - cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, beets, summer squash and more.

Newsletters provide you with weekly updates from the farm, as well as tips for storing, preparing and preserving your fresh produce.

CSA is unique, because it offers you a direct connection with your farmer, an opportunity to get the freshest produce (more nutrition for the dollars you spend), know how your food is grown, eat in season, and support a family farm/local business by sharing in the rewards and risks/bounty and loss unique to each season.

Farm Shares are available in $150 or $200 options. At this time we are sold out of Farm Shares, but taking names on our wait list, in case we make more available.

Please contact us with any questions you may have!     Brooke & John