Farm Happenings at Broadfork Farm
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Farm Happenings for November 6, 2021

Posted on November 4th, 2021 by Janet Aardema

We have officially entered our Cold Season. (Though there is also a Really Cold Season here on the farm that = January/February.) During the Cold Season we have to cover a number of our crops with "fabric" to keep off some of the cold - see photo above. 

It is extremely interesting to note patterns that we see over a 10+ year period operating this farm and also note historical records. This October is currently ranked as 5th warmest since record keeping began. Every farmer in this region that we speak to recounts the same experience: in general conditions are warmer and wetter and weather events are more extreme (which includes more extreme dry periods). As we heard someone else word it recently, climate change isn't something to believe in or not believe in -- it just is. It's happening as a result of how we humans have created modern life. We each now get to choose whether we will work to reverse the effects of extracting and burning fossil fuels as well as the effects of tillage and chemical agriculture or if we'll continue contributing to the problem. We continue our work farming regeneratively and organically and living as gently on this earth as we can. We know we aren't perfect, but we hope to not only feed people in a responsible way but also inspire our community members to engage in mitigating climate change. If you're ready to learn more and take pro-active steps to get involved, our oldest child, Sylvie, has just launched an education and engagement project about the climate crisis and carbon sequestration for which she has earned a finalist standing in an international competition. See our Instagram post here, get ready to soak up her teachings and get your hands in the soil, spread the word to others, and cross your fingers for some press coverage to help her reach as many people as possible. (Don't really get carbon sequestration? No problem! That's what she wants to teach you!) INSIDER TIP: Her first Intro to Carbon Capture and her Food Forest class is Saturday November 13 at 10:30. Register here on her burgeoning website

  

Our Farm Share season ends November 20th. We'll continue to offer one-time shares here whenever we are able. Sign up for our 2022 Farm Share begins next Monday, Nov 8. Visit our website to sign up: https://broadforkfarm.net/farmshare/

Vegetable Storage Reminder: keep Tomatoes and Eggplants OUT of the fridge. All GREENS and ROOTS need to be refrigerated in an AIR TIGHT bag or container to prevent going limp/wilty. If you're short on fridge space, you can also keep Peppers, Onions, Potatoes, Garlic, and Cucumbers (for a brief time) out of the fridge. 

The delicious fermented vegetables listed here are also from Katherine at Gathered Threads. We've been making our own fermented/cultured vegetables for years, and hers are the most delicious we've ever tasted! Give them a try. Your taste buds and your gut flora will thank you. This month's options include:

Kimchi
Spicy Napa Kimchi 
Beet & Onion Pickle 
Mustard & Mustard 
White (Baek) Kimchi
Ukrainian Kraut
Beet & Fennel
Caraway Sauerkraut (enjoy it with our Pumpernickel Bread!)
Apple & Juniper (this one is WAY refreshing)
Cucumber Kimchi
Chipotle Salsa
 
 

 

And - There are EGGS available this week. 

Blessings on your meals ~

Janet, Dan and the whole Broadfork Crew (Julie, Karen, Rachel, Maya, Parker, Ramsi, Anna, Rowen, and the farm kids)
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