Wow! Once again, Bloomington-Normal, you amaze me. The turnout at the Trailside Market was fabulous! If this was your first time to the market: Welcome! I hope I had a chance to talk with you, especially if you have questions, but if I didn't, try me next week! Also, feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about our produce, our farm or how to prepare what you got at the market--even if you didn't get if from Mitchell Farms.
We had a great jazz group play--sorry! I forgot their name--and had people stick around for awhile to listen and visit with friends. It felt like more of an event rather than just running a errand to the market......I hope that more of you bring your chairs and friends and stay a bit and enjoy the market.
See you all next week!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Super Tuesday!
It's that time again: Tuesday's Trailside Market in Uptown Normal!
We should have good weather tomorrow afternoon, so put your canvas bags in the car now! I'll wait.........................................................Make sure your friends know about the market, too!
Summer is starting to show up here & there. The leafy crops are giving up and the weeds are winning! We try to stay ahead of the weeds, particularly around the crops, but there is only so much that you can do. We have a great crew and they work especially hard separating crops from weeds.
Zucchini is in the house. The plants are going crazy producing and are just full of little fruits. The yellow squash isn't far behind, either. If there is a new squash recipe you've been waiting all winter to try, now is your chance. In fact, we just had dinner (yes, at 9:21 pm): chicken & arugula with a side of quinoa & grilled zucchini. Other than firing up the grill and boiling some water, it's a quick meal. I'll have recipes at the stand tomorrow, so stop by and get one.
What else will we have?
See you there!
We should have good weather tomorrow afternoon, so put your canvas bags in the car now! I'll wait.........................................................Make sure your friends know about the market, too!
Summer is starting to show up here & there. The leafy crops are giving up and the weeds are winning! We try to stay ahead of the weeds, particularly around the crops, but there is only so much that you can do. We have a great crew and they work especially hard separating crops from weeds.
Zucchini is in the house. The plants are going crazy producing and are just full of little fruits. The yellow squash isn't far behind, either. If there is a new squash recipe you've been waiting all winter to try, now is your chance. In fact, we just had dinner (yes, at 9:21 pm): chicken & arugula with a side of quinoa & grilled zucchini. Other than firing up the grill and boiling some water, it's a quick meal. I'll have recipes at the stand tomorrow, so stop by and get one.
What else will we have?
- Head lettuce--Buttercrunch, Red Sails and Red Oak Leaf. This will probably be the last week for the head lettuce as its been too hot. Get it while you can!
- Leaf lettuce--the leaf lettuce experiment has been working out well, so we will bring leaf lettuce while we can
- Red, White & French Breakfast radishes--new crop and looking great!
- Green Onions
- Japanese Turnips
- Beets! Finally!!
- Collard Greens
- Mustard Greens
- Arugula
- Zucchini
See you there!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Week 5--summer's here and a vacation
Summer must be here--I can't believe how hot it's been! Usually we don't turn on the AC until later in June, but we've had it on for a few weeks now. The pool is up and the kids are getting good use from it when it isn't raining. So far, its been a pretty good summer activity-wise.
If you braved the rain last week, you may have noticed that Bill and I were both not at the market. We haven't taken a typical 2 week summer vacation since we've started farming, but will try to take the kids somewhere warm in the winter months. We had the opportunity to attend a weekend away in St. Louis put on by Bill's employer. It never is easy and Bill got up early on Friday to get everything picked and ready for our substitutes. On the way down, we got caught in a horrible thunderstorm and crawled on the interstate! The rain was incredible and we were amazed at how much water was in creeks, ditches and fields. We were thankful that we haven't had that much rain.
We had some free time on Saturday, so we went to some farmer's markets! Big surprise! The first market we stopped at was the Tower Grove Farmer's Market in Tower Grove park. This market is just starting its 3 year and already has a strong customer base. Since it is still fairly early in the season and many farmers in the area are struggling with weather, there weren't as many vendors at the market as we thought there would be. It's exciting to go somewhere else to see what might be different, but Tower Grove Market isn't much different than ones here in Illinois. The setting is in a small lot in a beautiful city park. There was live music, coffee (!), and tai ch
i nearby. We made a circuit quickly and got in line for strawberries. Who could pass that up? I chatted with some folks in line and got a cantaloupe smoothie recipe that I'll be sharing later this summer.Our next stop was Soulard Market. The Soulard Market was established in 1779 and bills itself as the oldest public market west of the Mississippi. The market has a permenant building in the shape of an H with open areas on the legs of the H and year round stores inside the short part. Just about anything goes here; it's quite different than any other market you might find. In this area of St. Louis, there isn't a convenient grocery store near, so the market provides produce that is not locally or producer grown. The purpose of this market is a little different than what we are trying to accomplish in Bloomington or Normal and there are vendors that do grow their own items. Additionally, you can buy knock-off purses, wallets, T-shirts, pictures and other items that may not have any link to food. It's sort of a flea market vibe in one section. There are several meat vendors, flower vendors, one stall with homemade pasta and a pet shop. The highlight is the mini donut stall. The donut maker is set low enough that you can watch your baby donuts make their trip down the oil-way to be dusted in powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate. There is usually some street entertainment around and people watching is prime.
If your summer plans include St. Louis, besides going to the zoo, arch or ballgame, try to visit one of these markets. More information on both is at www.tgmarket.org and http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/soulardmarket/index.html.
Back home in IL: what will the Mitchell's have this week?
- Head lettuce
- Leaf lettuce
- Red & white radishes
- Green Onions
- Japanese turnips
- Beets
- Zucchini & summer squash
I joke about the tomato problems that have been in the national news this week, but really, do you need anymore incentive to eat locally and in season?
As always, we will be at the corner of Main & Jefferson streets, ready when the market opens at 7:30 am! Bring those great re-usable canvas bags and fill them up. Also, leave me a comment--I wonder sometimes if anyone reads this!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Funny Pages
This cartoon is courtesy of my dad, Jim. He found it funny--I found it absoutely hysterical! If you had walked by my office door, you would have wondered exactly what I was doubled over about. You can click on the picture to make it larger.
My dad and step-mom, Nancy, live in beautiful Winter Haven FL, right next to the State Farm office building. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is right there! I've contemplated annexing his back yard--Mitchell Farms Produce South Ranch. Here's a shot of his back yard.
I'm jealous that I can't grow pineapples! Guess I'll have to settle for corn and melons!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tuesday Market
Argh! I forgot to post last night! Another crazy week with soccer, dance recitals and markets. Oh, and the rain. Did I mention that? Good night nurse--stop with the rain already! We got almost an inch on Sunday/Monday. So far we haven't lost any crops to too much wet, but this is setting up just like last year when we did lose various harvests to rot and disease from too much rain in a short time. That's the life of a farmer: always a gamble with forces that you can't control or change.
By the way......even when it rains on a market day--we are still there to sell produce! Rain or shine! I much prefer the shine part and will even take a cloudy day, but plants still need harvesting even if it's raining. It is a fragile circle with the producer and customer. We both need each other; the farmers need someone to sell their produce to and the customer need to buy their produce from someone. We promise that we will be there, rain or shine with all the summer goodness that you could want. So, find the umbrella or rain jacket, grab your cloth bags and head out. It's just rain! I do understand why the crowds thin out with poor weather, as I HATE to be wet. The only time we would not be at the market is due to severe, dangerous weather when everyone should stay inside!
So, for those of you that weren't at the market Saturday--did you miss out! Not only did you have to go several days without any fresh greens, this heat is not doing many of our leafy crops any favors. Bill reported last night that some of our early lettuce has bolted(gone to seed) as well as the spinach. We may have head lettuce this week and are very unsure about next week, so if you want to enjoy one more really great salad, hop to the Trailside Market tonight. On the flip side of the heat coin is the zucchini and squash are really taking off and we should have some at a market by next week. The corn loves all this heat and rain and is growing well--we are predicting harvesting about mid-July at this point.
What will we have at the Trailside Market? Glad you asked!
By the way......even when it rains on a market day--we are still there to sell produce! Rain or shine! I much prefer the shine part and will even take a cloudy day, but plants still need harvesting even if it's raining. It is a fragile circle with the producer and customer. We both need each other; the farmers need someone to sell their produce to and the customer need to buy their produce from someone. We promise that we will be there, rain or shine with all the summer goodness that you could want. So, find the umbrella or rain jacket, grab your cloth bags and head out. It's just rain! I do understand why the crowds thin out with poor weather, as I HATE to be wet. The only time we would not be at the market is due to severe, dangerous weather when everyone should stay inside!
So, for those of you that weren't at the market Saturday--did you miss out! Not only did you have to go several days without any fresh greens, this heat is not doing many of our leafy crops any favors. Bill reported last night that some of our early lettuce has bolted(gone to seed) as well as the spinach. We may have head lettuce this week and are very unsure about next week, so if you want to enjoy one more really great salad, hop to the Trailside Market tonight. On the flip side of the heat coin is the zucchini and squash are really taking off and we should have some at a market by next week. The corn loves all this heat and rain and is growing well--we are predicting harvesting about mid-July at this point.
What will we have at the Trailside Market? Glad you asked!
- Head lettuces: Buttercrunch (far & away the favorite of everyone!), Red Sails, Xena and Giant Caesar Romaine
- Spinach: This is probably the last of the spinach as it is going to seed very rapidly.
- Leaf Lettuce: still sweet and tender. We will keep harvesting it as long as we can.
- Red & white radishes: still sweet, but getting a little more "pepper" taste
- Green onions: cool & crisp, not hot or bitter
- Turnips: these are just starting to be large enough to harvest; nice and mild taste and you can also eat the greens
- Arugula, Mustard Greens and Collards: All good leafy greens to eat raw or cook down
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Week 4
Good Morning Friends!
We didn't get any of the severe weather at the farm last night or any rain in Bloomington, so imagine my surprise when I turned the Weather Channel this morning and saw a huge tornado with the caption of Tazewell County! It looks like only minor damage was sustained to some outbuildings. We know quite a few farmers in that area, so we hope that they are safe (most importantly) and that their crops weren't damaged.
We've had over 2.5 inches of rain in the past two days--everything is soggy! Luckily, many of our fields drain fairly well, but when the ground is saturated and there is even MORE rain, it makes planting, growing and harvesting crops very difficult. Bill's most immediate worry other than severe weather that includes hail (hail will make grown farmers cry!) is not being able to get into the field to continue planting sweet corn. Soft, wet ground and big, heavy tractors don't mix. Plus, the seed sits in the wet grounds and will rot. Patience is a farmer's friend, but often times the weather is not but you do what you can.
Bill is taking off work early to go out and plant the 2nd crop of muskmelon today. The first crop is in and doing well and is on schedule. The watermelon are doing wonderfully so far. We are cautiously optomistic about the watermelon and all the rain: last July, we endured 10" of rain in about 8 days and it wiped out our first watermelon crop. This year, they are in a different field that has better drainage to minimize any ponding or water build up.
I was joking with another farmer at the Uptown Normal market Tuesday about how we work so hard, but what we all excel at is growing weeds! The weeds are becoming a problem with all the rain and warm weather. We don't spray for weeds (save for exceptional outbreaks in the watermelon or sweet corn) and who wants to hand weed 30 acres? We do what we can by hand weeding in the rows while picking or by mowing/weed wacking.
Part of eating locally and seasonally is that items come and go. Just a few weeks ago, we welcomed spring with lettuces, radishes and green onions. If you remember, it also was cold enough to wear coats and long sleeves! The old saw about the Midwest is if you want the weather to change, just wait 5 minutes. So true! Today at 8:09 am, the temperature is 75 degrees with temperatures projected to be in the 90 degree range for the next week.
While we are welcoming warmer weather, it means beginning to say to good bye to some of the early spring vegetables. Consistent temperatures in the 80's and 90's will make most lettuces and spinach bolt and the heat will turn radishes from sweet to hot. However, the heat loving squashes, sweet corn, melons and cucumbers really start to grow fast with the hot, humid weather. One season's end is another season's beginning. The sugar snap peas are just about blooming, with the green beans coming in close behind. Bill is predicting that we might have summer squash in about 10 days!
I am still amazed that there are people on this planet that have NEVER eaten a radish! Often times, their only experience has been a limp, soft disk in a restaurant salad and they don't give that poor veggie a second chance. In the Midwest, you can't have spring without radishes. It's a law, actually! I've always eaten them raw, sometimes with a little salt or ranch dressing. Then, last night, we GRILLED them. Oh. MY. It was a completely different taste than eating radishes raw. One of our CSA members, Nicole, told me that they had grilled their CSA radishes with a meal last week. She convinced me that grilled radishes were the bomb and I really, really needed to try it. This is so simple: clean radishes (red ones work best), cut off root and top. Put in zip top bag with olive oil, salt, pepper and Lawry's Seasoning; shake. Use a grill pan or skewer (like kabobs) and grill until soft on the outside, but still a little crunchy on the inside. There are so many other herb & spice variations that you could try--so experiment this weekend!
So, what will we have this Saturday?
Remember, that the market starts at 7:30 am and runs until noon. Don't forget your canvas & recyclable bags!
We didn't get any of the severe weather at the farm last night or any rain in Bloomington, so imagine my surprise when I turned the Weather Channel this morning and saw a huge tornado with the caption of Tazewell County! It looks like only minor damage was sustained to some outbuildings. We know quite a few farmers in that area, so we hope that they are safe (most importantly) and that their crops weren't damaged.
We've had over 2.5 inches of rain in the past two days--everything is soggy! Luckily, many of our fields drain fairly well, but when the ground is saturated and there is even MORE rain, it makes planting, growing and harvesting crops very difficult. Bill's most immediate worry other than severe weather that includes hail (hail will make grown farmers cry!) is not being able to get into the field to continue planting sweet corn. Soft, wet ground and big, heavy tractors don't mix. Plus, the seed sits in the wet grounds and will rot. Patience is a farmer's friend, but often times the weather is not but you do what you can.
Bill is taking off work early to go out and plant the 2nd crop of muskmelon today. The first crop is in and doing well and is on schedule. The watermelon are doing wonderfully so far. We are cautiously optomistic about the watermelon and all the rain: last July, we endured 10" of rain in about 8 days and it wiped out our first watermelon crop. This year, they are in a different field that has better drainage to minimize any ponding or water build up.
I was joking with another farmer at the Uptown Normal market Tuesday about how we work so hard, but what we all excel at is growing weeds! The weeds are becoming a problem with all the rain and warm weather. We don't spray for weeds (save for exceptional outbreaks in the watermelon or sweet corn) and who wants to hand weed 30 acres? We do what we can by hand weeding in the rows while picking or by mowing/weed wacking.
Part of eating locally and seasonally is that items come and go. Just a few weeks ago, we welcomed spring with lettuces, radishes and green onions. If you remember, it also was cold enough to wear coats and long sleeves! The old saw about the Midwest is if you want the weather to change, just wait 5 minutes. So true! Today at 8:09 am, the temperature is 75 degrees with temperatures projected to be in the 90 degree range for the next week.
While we are welcoming warmer weather, it means beginning to say to good bye to some of the early spring vegetables. Consistent temperatures in the 80's and 90's will make most lettuces and spinach bolt and the heat will turn radishes from sweet to hot. However, the heat loving squashes, sweet corn, melons and cucumbers really start to grow fast with the hot, humid weather. One season's end is another season's beginning. The sugar snap peas are just about blooming, with the green beans coming in close behind. Bill is predicting that we might have summer squash in about 10 days!
I am still amazed that there are people on this planet that have NEVER eaten a radish! Often times, their only experience has been a limp, soft disk in a restaurant salad and they don't give that poor veggie a second chance. In the Midwest, you can't have spring without radishes. It's a law, actually! I've always eaten them raw, sometimes with a little salt or ranch dressing. Then, last night, we GRILLED them. Oh. MY. It was a completely different taste than eating radishes raw. One of our CSA members, Nicole, told me that they had grilled their CSA radishes with a meal last week. She convinced me that grilled radishes were the bomb and I really, really needed to try it. This is so simple: clean radishes (red ones work best), cut off root and top. Put in zip top bag with olive oil, salt, pepper and Lawry's Seasoning; shake. Use a grill pan or skewer (like kabobs) and grill until soft on the outside, but still a little crunchy on the inside. There are so many other herb & spice variations that you could try--so experiment this weekend!
So, what will we have this Saturday?
- A variety of our loose head lettuces: Red Sails, Green & Red Oak leaf, Xena, Buttercrunch, Giant Caesar Romaine. The opportunity for these delights is ending fairly soon, so if you haven't had any yet, get some!
- Leaf lettuce--We've kept the leaf lettuce covered in the raised bed in the back yard, so we may be able to keep it going for a few more weeks.
- Spinach--this has been fabulous this spring: crisp, cool and so healthy! A bag will last at least a week in the fridge.
- Red and white radishes--these beauties have been so sweet and good, but will start getting a little more "peppery" as the weather heats up. Enjoy them now! Grill them!
- Green onions--a spring staple. Use the entire shoot in salads or the greens as a garnish with your meals.
- Spring turnips--FINALLY--all you turnip fans can cheer now! Cook down the greens, roast the roots and nothing goes to waste.
- Mustard greens--this leafy plant is new to us this year. I've only had it in a salad so far, but is it also good cooked or lightly wilted. Mustard greens have a little more pungent taste than collards or other greens and are high in vitamins A & K.
- Arugula--another green that is new and we love it! Bill couldn't get over the aroma while he was picking it for our CSA. Arugula has a rich, peppery taste. I think eaten raw it has a bit of a nutty flavor to it. It can be eaten raw or cooked. An easy way is to mix the leaves with pasta and let it wilt. Bill just can't get over how much he likes the taste and wishes he had been growing it sooner!
Remember, that the market starts at 7:30 am and runs until noon. Don't forget your canvas & recyclable bags!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Trailside market this Tuesday
Thank you to everyone that checked with Bill on Saturday to see if Allie and I were safe in Indy! It was an interesting and very long night, but the most severe weather stayed to our north. Our team had a good time at their tournament and we got to see our girls play some great soccer!
This week the Trailside Market in Normal will start! We are just getting to the point where we have to start picking during the week, so this market is starting just in time. If you find that you don't have time on Saturday or just like to sleep in, don't miss this opportunity to get some fresh, local produce. We have a good mix of producers, so there should be lots to choose from.
We will continue to have a variety of head lettuces, spinach, leaf lettuce, radishes and onions. The season for these spring goodies is quickly coming to an end with the consistent warmer weather, so now is the time to enjoy a really good salad.
The Trailside Market is beginning its fourth year in Normal. The first two years we pretty rough, as word didn't spread as quickly as we thought it might. Last year was a very trying year trying to sell produce in between large earth moving equipment! The town quickly found us a nice spot next to the Amtrak station--we're the only market in Illinois that has a rail stop! We really do get some passengers from the train that take advantage of the stop to get some fresh, local produce. Once the Uptown Normal project is complete, we will be moved to yet another location, but I'm sure it will be nice! The Town of Normal is committed to the Market and is working hard to make it a success.
The Trailside Market is located in the Parkinson Street parking lot, next to the Amtrak station. Market hours have changed for this year: the bell will ring to open the market at 3:30 pm and the market will stay open until 6 pm. A new addition to the market is entertainment! There will be musical performances at the east end of the market, right next to our stand. So bring your re-usable bags and stay for a bit to enjoy our musical entertainment.
See you tomorrow at 3:30!
This week the Trailside Market in Normal will start! We are just getting to the point where we have to start picking during the week, so this market is starting just in time. If you find that you don't have time on Saturday or just like to sleep in, don't miss this opportunity to get some fresh, local produce. We have a good mix of producers, so there should be lots to choose from.
We will continue to have a variety of head lettuces, spinach, leaf lettuce, radishes and onions. The season for these spring goodies is quickly coming to an end with the consistent warmer weather, so now is the time to enjoy a really good salad.
The Trailside Market is beginning its fourth year in Normal. The first two years we pretty rough, as word didn't spread as quickly as we thought it might. Last year was a very trying year trying to sell produce in between large earth moving equipment! The town quickly found us a nice spot next to the Amtrak station--we're the only market in Illinois that has a rail stop! We really do get some passengers from the train that take advantage of the stop to get some fresh, local produce. Once the Uptown Normal project is complete, we will be moved to yet another location, but I'm sure it will be nice! The Town of Normal is committed to the Market and is working hard to make it a success.
The Trailside Market is located in the Parkinson Street parking lot, next to the Amtrak station. Market hours have changed for this year: the bell will ring to open the market at 3:30 pm and the market will stay open until 6 pm. A new addition to the market is entertainment! There will be musical performances at the east end of the market, right next to our stand. So bring your re-usable bags and stay for a bit to enjoy our musical entertainment.
See you tomorrow at 3:30!
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