Category Archives: Solar

2018 CSA Winter February 10th Solar

2018 CSA Winter February 10th Solar

Solar energy at the farm creates all the plant growth and now provides some of our electrical needs.

  • Arugula 10×10
  • Salad Mix 10×10
  • Chervil
  • Thai Basil Box
  • Sage
  • Rosemary
  • Poultry Herb Mix
  • Micro Collards
  • Micro Cilantro
  • Fresh Eggs

Some of you may have already seen parts of the progress we have been making on building steel frames and installing solar panels here at the farm, but for those who haven’t seen the photos, check out these thus far. Soon I will report back with up-to-date photos to show how Michael has taken it a step further.

This greenhouse here, in the photo above, just behind Michael, now has a rain collection system installed all around it so that the water can be captured for use (after filtering, testing, sanitizing, etc) while also helping to prevent erosion and flooding in the fields that are past this greenhouse and down the hill.

In addition to these improvement towards sustainability and stewardship here at the farm, the solar array is growing bit by bit when the weather is right for welding, we’re not getting stuck in the mud, and time allows. Three rows of ten now rest in an angular nest of steel that will take two more rows before completion.

Much gratitude for all your support over the years! Make it a great week

Solar Ground Mount Frame

2017 CSA Spring May 20th

2017 CSA Spring May 20th

  • Beet Greens
  • Watercress
  • Chervil
  • Cilantro
  • Chives
  • Field Arugula
  • Field Mix
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber

Just a reminder to our new CSA members that we give a discount to you when you shop our farmer’s market stands at either Forest Lake’s Tuesday (4-7)market or the City’s market on Saturday (7-12). And I am excited to let you all know that we still have fruits showing on our Paw-paw trees and in the raspberry patch, which is a relief since we have recently experienced a couple of frosts in the mornings, high gusts combined with heavy rainfall, and just today temperatures reached over 100f in several greenhouses, in spite of strong fans to move the air, water/misting, etc. But such is the wonder of moving with the seasons and growing food.

All of the fresh herbs this week are wonderful used raw, freshly chopped. Chervil has a sweet flavor, and both the cilantro and chives have unique and strong flavors of their own. Try a salad this week topped with a combination of tomatoes and cucumber that has been stirred into a yogurt dressings infused with the zing of the cilantro and chives (i like to use scissors, carefully). For a new approach to wraps, salads, omelets or especially sandwiches, try watercress. It is highly nutritious when raw and has a crisp spicy flavor. The beet greens are great with pan roasted walnuts or pecans, dressed with balsamic vinegar and fresh soft goat cheese. Enjoy J

Note that in this last picture Michael is bringing his welding equipment out to a stand he is building via the tractor bucket. We will soon be harvesting sunlight through solar panels! Step by step, towards a more sustainable future. Much love!