WILD HARE WEEKLY, SUMMER #2

Warm and sunny days call for crisp salads, and we're lucky enough to have a bed of beautiful Butter Lettuce ready for harvest this week.  Sometimes called Boston or Bibb, I think Butterheads really live up to their name.  When grown in the open field this time of year, the leaves are dense yet sweet, and their smooth texture seems to melt away with every bite.  Like Buttah!  Whether red or green, Butterheads make superb salads, simply dressed with a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and vinegar or lemon juice; however, the wide and open leaf structure of these lettuces makes for a beautifully crisp layer on a sandwich or can even replace the bread or bun altogether for a for a satisfying lettuce wrap or cup.  You're gonna love them, along with our tasty little scallions, sugar snap peas and the first stone fruits of the year--cherries!

Now that we're really settling into summer, I wanted to encourage you all to mark your calendars for a couple of exciting events coming up this summer, the first of which is Family Yoga at the Farm on Wednesday June 19th from 12:00-12:45, generously led by Julia of Blooming Lotus.  People of all ages (even the kiddos and young at heart types!) are welcome to gather at the farm for an exploration of yoga based movement, mindfulness, meditation, heart centered sharing and more.  This is a free event--just bring yourself, your little ones, a mat/towel or blanket.  Please arrive 10 minutes early to get settled.  We are so thankful for Julia and cannot wait to share a bit of movement and mindfulness with you!

Looking ahead to July, I'm so honored to announce that PCC Farmland Trust and Tahoma Audubon Society will co-host Birding on the Farm at Wild Hare, a family-friendly farm walk where you’ll learn about the importance of protecting local farmland not just for people, but for birds too! Join us for a morning of learning and refreshments as we discuss pollinator habitat and organic farming while searching for native birds onSunday, July 21st from 9am-11am.  If you'd like to participate, please click here to register for the event.   

See you this week.  Many thanks!
Katie

WILD HARE WEEKLY, SUMMER #1

The long days of Summer have arrived, bringing with them delicious snap peas, crisp lettuces, hours of trellising, planting and more weeds than I care to imagine.  As things stand, Mark and I are going to attempt to plant out a greenhouse full of specialty cucumbers tonight after we finally wind Hazel down for the night.  It is one wild and tasty burden out there, but it sure feels good to find ourselves planted in the time of year when something new seems to come into season every week.  I just chowed down on the leaves of some from our buttery Green Oak Lettuce--dressed in a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice, it went down faster than a bowl of chips.  I swear!   Mark and Luis are out stringing up the next line of support around the Snap Peas, and their clips and lines are snapping under the weight.  Just in time to treat the Summer Share members!

WILD HARE WEEKLY, SPRING #12/12

It is one gorgeous Memorial Day, and hopefully some of you are spending this day of remembrance with family.  Mark and are pleasantly surprised, and truly thankful, to be surrounded by our farm family today. We always treat federal holidays as optional work days around here, knowing that it is a rare day off from school/opportunity to get away. But it never seems to work.  Wouldn't you know, every single member of our crew reported to work this morning. (RIGHT?!?! ) Most of the crew has been with us for many years, and they know the insane rhythm and immense scope of all that we are trying to accomplish this time of year. I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to work beside people like this--people who want to finish out planting those cucumbers and peppers, people who know that irrigation is going to take some extra effort when temps hit 80, people who take pride in tackling projects together for the good of the farm.  These are the dedicated, hard-working, inquisitive and wonderful people who grow your food.  It is their educations, their families and their bright futures that your CSA and Farmers Market dollars are supporting.  Kim, Jade, Joshan, Luis & Gavin--thank you for being downright exceptional.

With this being the final week of Spring Share, the 2019 Summer Share deadline is rapidly approaching.  We need folks to sign up for their Summer Shares no later than midnight on Sunday, June 2nd so that we can plan our harvests accordingly.  Quite a few folks have already registered for summer (BIG thanks to you!); however, I know that there are a handful of you who have it lingering on your to-do lists.  Please, be sure to get on that roster by the deadline--I don't want to keep anyone from their share of the Sugar Snap Peas that just might be plump and perfect for our first week of Summer! Not to jinx it or anything...

Closing out of our fifth Spring at Wild Hare, Mark and I are beyond grateful for all of the support that you, our partners in growing, give to this farm.  To our CSA members, our super crew, our market shoppers, our fellow farmer friends, our families and friends--thank you for your patience, your pride and your effort in helping us bring another harvest season into fruition.  It is going to be another dry but delicious Summer!