2009 Week 24

THANK YOU for being such wonderful CSA members at Valley Dream Farm!

We all hate to see the season end, but this is your 24th week of receiving vegetables, our longest season ever. We are grateful to have had such an amazing staff to be able to provide you such a bountiful season, after the coldest and wettest summer in our records.

In Your CSA Bag

White Potatoes ~ 2 qts
Potatoes, your choice ~ 2 qts
2 Squash ~ choice variety
Beets ~ 10
Purple Top Turnips ~ 6
Onions ~ 10 small
Carrots ~ 10
Brussels Sprouts ~ 1-2 qts
Kale ~ 1 bunch
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Herbs ~ Garlic ~ 2

Recipe of the Week

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts

News from the Field

Anyone wishing to order a THANKSGIVING BASKET has until Friday, Nov 20th, for pick up on Saturday, Nov 21st. Some members have ordered baskets to be delivered to the Cambridge food shelf. We too will be donating baskets in Cambridge and Underhill. We feel blessed to live among such caring community members.

We hope to have you all back next season and remind you to send in your deposits. As always, payment plans are available.

Thank you from all of us here at Valley Dream Farm. May your Holidays and Families be blessed!
- Anne Tisbert

2009 Week 23

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Pie Pumpkin ~ 1

Potatoes ~ choice, 1 qt

Squash ~ choice variety

Beets ~ 6-10

Purple Top Turnips ~ 4-6

Onions ~ 6 small

Carrots ~ 6

Brussels sprouts ~ 1 qt
Herbs ~ garlic

Recipes of the Week

Savory Squash Pie
Squash Scones

News from the Field

One more pickup, next week -- the week before Thanksgiving! We are offering an additional THANKSGIVING BASKET for your dinner for $25. The basket contains 1 lb each of Beets, Brussels sprouts, Carrots and Turnips, 2 Butternut squash, a pie Pumpkin, and 5 lbs of white Potatoes. Place your order by Friday the 20th for pickup at the Farm on Saturday the 21st.

Our survey says 99% of our customers are happy with the quality and quantity of produce they received at Valley Dream Farm. There were way too many favorites to list them all. The least favorite category was varied, but cabbage and fava beans ranked as the top dislikes. Many loved the option to switch up to two items per week and took advantage with their least favorite items.

Many members wished for more sweet corn and so did we. We have to believe that next year corn on the cob will be back on track as it was in previous years. This week we finished planting garlic for next year. You can look forward to delicious garlic scapes in the summer and bulbs in the fall.

We hope to have you all back next season! Send in your deposit before the 21st to reserve your membership at this year's price. Next year's CSA membership forms will be available on our website soon.

Please enjoy our fresh organic vegetables!
- Anne Tisbert

2009 Week 22

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Potatoes ~ choice, 1 qt
Squash ~ u-pick variety
Beets ~ 6-10
Purple Top Turnips ~ 4-6
Onions ~ 6 small
Carrots ~ 6
Brussels sprouts ~ 1 qt
Chard ~ 1 bunch
Herbs ~ garlic


Recipes of the Week

Winter Squash Braised in Apple Cider
Spinach Pumpkin Swirl Quiche

News from the Field

This week we harvested the last of the carrots. Everyone who filled out our survey loves them. We heard over and over how sweet they taste. We store the carrots in plastic to keep them crisp. You should too. We store them at 35 degrees in the cooler until spring -- or we sell them all first (always the goal).

When you drive by the farm, you'll see us tilling the fields. This is to return the dead plant material back into the soil. You should do this in your own garden to avoid giving pests a place to overwinter. Turning the dead plants and leaves back into the soil allows composting and feeds the micro-biotic life that keeps our soils healthy. DO NOT leave vegetables in the ground! Potatoe tubers especially can harbor the dreaded blight if they don't freeze solid on the surface. They could carry this year's diseases into next year.

Please enjoy our fresh organic vegetables!
- Anne Tisbert

New Hours

Before Thanksgiving:
Tues & Thurs, 2-6 pm; Sat & Sun 12-6 pm; Nov 21st, 2-4 pm

Dec 5th & Jan 2nd (first Sat of the month), we will be selling storage vegetables. Call for times and availability.

2009 Week 21

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Potatoes ~ red & white ~ 1 qt
Squash ~ 1 butternut
Beets ~ 1 lb
Purple Top Turnips ~ 2 or 3
Red Cabbage
Onions ~ 1 bag
Carrots ~ 6
Brussels sprouts ~ 1 qt
Celeriac or Kale
Chard ~ 1 bunch
Herbs ~ garlic

Storing Fall/Winter Crops

Beets, carrots, turnips, cabbage, celeriac and Brussels sprouts like to be stored in plastic in the refrigerator and can last for weeks or even months. Kale and Chard also like it cold but they should be used within a week or two of harvesting. Kale especially likes ice cold and moisture. Potatoes and squash like it cool, dry and dark.

Recipes of the Week

Pickled Beets
Roasted Roots
Beet and Carrot Cake

News from the Field

Today's recipe is pickled beets. I remember sitting at my grandma's table and rubbing red beets on my lips and asking her if she liked my new lipstick. She would always laugh and my siblings would copy me and we'd all laugh. Meal time can make great memories.

Beware of red beets! They leave your body the same color as they go in, so don't be alarmed when flushing or changing Jr's diapers!

There are 3 more pickup days after today. The last pickup is the week of November 16th. We still have certain items for sale in bulk to fill your root cellar. We have potatoes, beets, turnips, carrots, garlic and squash.

Please enjoy our fresh organic vegetables!
- Anne Tisbert

2009 Week 20

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Potatoes ~ blue/blue _ 1 qt
Squash ~ 1 Blue Hubbard
Red Beets ~ 1 lb
Red Cabbage ~ 1 head
Onions ~ 1 bag
Carrots ~ 6
Brussels sprouts ~ 1 qt
Peppers ~ 2 sweet + 2 Jalapeño
Chard ~ 1 bunch
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Tomato ~ 1 green
Herbs ~ parsley ~ 1 bunch

Also at the Farm Stand

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads, fresh Tu/Th/Sat
Free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipes of the Week

Fried Green Tomatoes
Roasted Pumpkin or Squash Seeds

News from the Field

We still have 5 weeks of shares, counting today. The last pickup will be the week of November 16th.

You may have noticed white tarps out in the fields. This covering is called "remay", a woven fabric used to protect crops in very cold temperatures. They will add about 10° to the air temperature underneath and extend the season a couple of extra weeks. We use this in spring, too, so we can plant early and have your produce ready earlier.

We are busy harvesting the remainder of the crops. A few items will still grow at these cooler temps -- Brussels sprouts, chard and kale are being picked daily.

You can buy a few items in bulk now. Fill your root cellar and have veggies all winter -- potatoes, turnips, carrots, garlic and squash.

Please enjoy our fresh organic vegetables!
- Anne Tisbert

2009 Week 19

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Fingerling Potatoes ~ 1 qt
White Acorn Squash ~ 1
Purple Top Turnips ~ 1 lb
Gold Chard ~ 1 bunch
Celery ~ 1 bunch
Carrots ~ 6
Brussels Sprouts ~ 1 qt
Sweet Peppers ~ 2 yellow
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Tomato ~ 1
Herbs ~ garlic ~ 1 bulb

Also at the Farm Stand

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads, fresh Tu/Th/Sat
Free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipes of the Week

Anne's Meatloaf Stuffed Squash
Southern Turnip Supreme

News from the Field

Six more weeks of shares. The last pick-up is the week of November 16th.

New this week is Purple Top Turnips. They are delicious on their own or a great soup ingredient. Try the turnip recipe above.

This summer's wet weather has not been kind to Vermont growers and the latest victim to the moisture is our tomato greenhouse. We hope you enjoyed the fresh red tomatoes this season and look forward to more next year.

Next week we will be doing our annual survey of your CSA experience here at Valley Dream Farm. Please help us plan for next year by giving us your feedback. This will take only a few minutes when you pick up next week.

Please enjoy your fresh organic vegetables!
- Anne Tisbert

2009 Week 18

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Potatoes (red w/red flesh) ~ 1 qt

Buttercup Squash ~1

Pumpkin ~ 1 per member + 1 for each child of member

Broccoli ~ 1 bunch

Carrots ~ 6

Kale ~ 1 bunch

Celery ~ 1 bunch (good for soups)

Onions ~ 1½ lbs ~ paper bagged

Lettuce ~ 1 head
Herbs ~ garlic ~ 1 bulb

Also at the Farm Stand

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads, fresh Tu/Th/Sat
Free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipes of the Week

Autumn Minestrone
Baked Buttercup

News from the Field

It is such a great time of year when the air is crisp and the leaves are showing off their brilliant colors. At the end of last week the first white snow came to top off the mountain. We don't always get snow during foliage, but when we do it is such a special treat. It reminds me of a Banana Split with the colors peeking out from under the white top. It is quite understandable why people travel from all over to "peep" at the beautiful colors of our Vermont countryside.

Lots of customers have dropped in for their pumpkins. Some wanted pumpkins to carve and decorate while others picked small sweet pumpkins for pies. Because we have a slight pumpkin shortage (again due to our very wet, cold summer), we have purchased a bin full of additional pumpkins for you. There is one for each membership, plus one for every child of every member as we know every child needs their own pumpkin.

Along with pumpkins come winter squashes and we have many varieties for you to try. This week's squash is "Buttercup", an old New England favorite. Buttercups have the classic gray/green circle on the bottom.

We usually roast our potatoes but last night Joe peeled a pan full of mixed colored potatoes. The whites, reds and blues whipped into mashed potatoes of the prettiest lavender! Maybe this week's reds with red flesh, combined with some whites, will give you "potatoes in the pink". Any way you like them, it's fun to be color creative with food.

Please enjoy our fresh organic vegetables!
- Anne Tisbert

2009 Week 17

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Watermelon ~ 1
Potatoes (gold) ~ 1 qt
Green Cabbage ~ 1 head
Broccoli ~ 1 bunch
Brussels Sprouts ~ 1 pint
Romaine ~ 1 head ~ OR ~ Spinach ~ 1 xl handful
Peppers ~ 2 sweet
Onions ~ 1 1/2 lbs, paper bagged
Tomatoes ~ 2
Herbs ~ mixed ~ 1 bunch

Also at the Farm Stand

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads, fresh Tu/Th/Sat
Free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipes of the Week

Mashed Gold Potatoes
Tricolor Potatoes with Pesto and Parmesan
Sauteed Brussels Sprouts

News from the Field

It was a very busy weekend here at the farm. We had the whole family at home visiting, which means they were all helping on the farm too. We were trying to harvest the potatoes before the rains came, as the mud can get deep and difficult.

How do we harvest you ask? It takes 6 workers to harvest potatoes.

The first worker drives the tractor pulling the huge 2 row harvester. Her job is to stay in the rows and control the overall speed of the harvest.

The second worker drives the tractor pulling the potato wagon. This “V” shaped wagon collects the potatoes dropping from a conveyor belt attached to the harvester. Her job is to keep pace with the first tractor while evenly dispersing the potatoes in the wagon. Distractions are not an option for this worker!

The third worker controls the hydraulics to raise and lower the conveyor arm of the harvester over the potato wagon. He also controls the depth of the digging. Too deep can clog the harvester and too shallow can miss or chop up the potatoes. He also helps the others sort potatoes when not running the controls.

The harvester's many conveyors sort the potatoes from rocks and other debris. The other three workers stand on top of the harvester and remove any remaining debris so that only potatoes go into the wagon. They have to work fast to keep up with the tractors.

When the potato wagon is full, it is returned to the barn, and potatoes are unloaded into large wooden bins to cure. After warm curing, they are sent to cold storage for the winter. As orders arrive we wash the potatoes in the barrel washer (currently next to the greenhouse), pack them and then ship them throughout the winter.

Our workers labored hard and, thanks to them and our kids, we harvested most of the potatoes before the rains came!

Please enjoy our fresh organic SPUDS!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 16

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Watermelon ~ 1
Potatoes (all blue) ~ 1 qt
Broccoli or Brussels Sprouts ~ 1 pint
Cucumbers ~ 2
Carrots ~ 1 lb ~ approx 6
Salad Greens ~ 1 XL handful
Peppers ~ 2 sweet & 4 jalapeno
Tomatoes ~ 2
Herbs ~ parsley ~ 1 bunch

Also at the Farm Stand

Sweet Corn, Zucchini, Broccoli, Broccoli rabb, Kale, Swiss Chard

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads, fresh Tu/Th/Sat
Free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Roasted Corn Cala with Tomato Salad

News from the Field

We had two frosts last weekend in our low spot at the foot of Mr. Mansfield. The cold air just slides right down on us.

Thank you to the members who helped with the squash harvest. All different types of winter squash are sorted and packed in bins in the cozy barn where they will stay above freezing until they are shipped.

On Monday, a nice and warm last day of summer, we harvested the rest of the watermelons. Some are a bit paler inside this year but taste just as sweet as the dark pink ones we had last year. Cantaloupes are still clinging to their vines and we are beginning to wonder if they will ripen in time.

We wish the warmth would stay a little longer, but it feels more sensible to have brisker weather when we start cooking soups and stews for fall and winter bluster. Autumn colors are blooming and we can all enjoy what people travel for miles to see in Vermont.

We love farming in Pleasant Valley! Please enjoy our fresh organic produce!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 15

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Watermelon ~ 1
Potatoes (mixed) ~ 1 qt
Beets ~ 1 lb
Broccoli Raab ~ 1 bunch
Cucumbers ~ 2
Carrots ~ 1 bunch
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Spinach ~ 1 XL handful
Zucchini ~ 2
Peppers ~ 2 sweet & 4 jalapeno
Tomatoes ~ 3 small/med
Herbs ~ garlic ~ 1 bulb

Also at the Farm Stand

Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Broccoli, Broccoli rabb, Radishes, Kale, Swiss Chard, Fava Beans

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads, fresh Tu/Th/Sat
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Watermelon and Feta Salad

News from the Field

The weather the last two weeks was just what we needed. Our sun- and warm-weather-loving crops are catching up. Watermelons are finally ready for you! They are sweet and juicy—well worth the wait.

The fall harvest has come quickly. We are harvesting squash, pumpkins, potatoes, brussels sprouts and many other delicious fall crops. If you are interested in helping with the harvest, please sign up in the store. Last year a few members brought their families in the evenings after work to pick squash and pumpkins and put them into bins. Fun was had by all.

We love farming in Pleasant Valley! Please enjoy our fresh organic produce!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 14

FALL SHARES AVAILABLE NOW! Tell your friends!


What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Potatoes ~ 1 qt
Beets ~ 1 bunch w/ greens
Broccoli ~ 1 bunch
"Veronica" Romanesco Cauliflower ~ 1 head
Cucumbers ~ 2
Carrots ~ 1 bunch
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Spinach ~ 1 XL handful
Zucchini ~ 2 small/med
Peppers ~ 2 yellow sweet & 4 jalapeno
Tomatoes ~ 1 med & 1 small

Also at the Farm Stand

Sweet Corn, Diakon Radishes, Broccoli rabb, Kale, Swiss Chard

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads, fresh Tu/Th/Sat
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Roasted Cauliflower

News from the Field

Joe went out to the corn field on Sunday in mid-August and came back with the exciting news that we finally had a crop ready. We had to plow in the first two plantings this year because of the cold, wet spring. But when we went out on Tuesday morning to pick it fresh for our CSA members, it was gone -- carefully and expertly picked. Joe looked for signs of bear, coon or skunk. Wildlife usually leave a mess and our workers would have delivered the harvest to the farm stand if they were ahead of schedule.

Alas, we had to face the reality that someone had stolen 160 dozen ears of corn from our field. Who does that?? Was it for a big (really big!) corn roast? or to sell somewhere else? We are very sorry to have to share this loss with our members. We have purchased corn for you from our friendly organic farmers in the Deep Root Co-op.

Chin up and move on, we say. We hope to have the next planting ready by the end of September. Our trail biking friends have offered to camp out with their dogs and hunting gear to guard for us!

On a good note, Jay has picked a very unusual Romanesco cauliflower, named "Veronica". With its lime green spiraled pinnacles, it looks quite alien but tastes quite mild. Steam it upright for a conversation starter at the dinner table!

We have seen (and tasted) the first watermelons. They need a little more time to be sweet and juicy. Until then, please enjoy our fresh organic produce!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 13

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Potatoes ~ 1 qt
Beets ~ 1 bunch w/ greens
Broccoli ~ 1 bunch
Cucumbers ~ 2
Fennel ~ 1 bulb
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Spinach ~ 1 XL handful
Zucchini ~ 2-3 small/med
Peppers ~ 2 sweet & 4 jalapeno
Tomatoes ~ 1 med & 1 small
Herbs ~ choice: basil

Also at the Farm Stand

Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Diakon Radishes, Broccoli rabb,
Kale, Swiss Chard

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

What to do with Fennel
A few Italian ladies we know say they just cut up the raw fennel and toss into salad.

News from the Field

Where did our summer go? I spotted a leaf changing color this week. Forecast is promising, though, and we are hoping for another month of Indian summer.

We are harvesting potatoes now. Enjoy the rainbow before the All Blues and All Reds are gone. Golds, Red Skinned, Fingerlings and Russets are coming soon. The Russets need more good weather; here in Vermont they are somewhat smaller than in Idaho, but ours are tastier! Fennel is new this week and winter squash varieties are coming along nicely.

We have large quantities of many items at this time of year, so let us know if you need a case of veggies to can or freeze. We can give you a wholesale price.

Please enjoy our fresh organic produce!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 12

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Potatoes ~ mixed ~ 1 qt
Beets ~ 1 bunch
Cucumber ~ 2
Eggplant, Cabbage or Gold Chard ~ choice
Green Beans ~ 1 ½ handfuls = 1lb
Spinach ~ ½ lb
Peppers ~ 2 sweet & 4 jalapeno
Tomatoes ~ 1 small/med
Zucchini
Herbs ~ Garlic bulb

Also at the Farm Stand

Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Zucchini, Broccoli rabb, Kale, Swiss Chard, Fava beans

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Essex ~ Squash and Zucchini (non-organic)
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Grilled Zucchini and summer Squash

News from the Field

A sign of summer's end, our youngest son Jon moved out of the house and into the dorm at Johnson State College. It is always a bitter sweet day for us, happy for their new independence and sdt at their absence as our family grows smaller at the dinner table.

The Crew here at the farm has been working very hard. They hand pull and hoe the weeds away from our plants every change they get between planing and harvesting. This is to prevent the weeds from stealing the nutrients in the soil.

We are on schedule for fall crops. Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels sprouts and Greens are all growing nicely and we're looking forward to all kinds of squashes, too. We love farming in Pleasant valley!

Please enjoy our fresh organic produce!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 11

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

New Potatoes ~ mixed ~ 1 qt
Sweet Corn ~ 4 ears
Cukes ~ 1
Spinach ~ ½ lb
Colored Beans ~ 1 ½ handfuls = 1lb
Bok Choy ~ 1 head
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Peppers ~ 2 sweet or 4 jalapeno
Tomatoes ~ 1 large & 1 small/med
Herbs ~ choice

Also at the Farm Stand

Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Zucchini, Broccoli, Radishes, Broccoli rabbe, Kale, Swiss Chard, Fava beans

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Essex ~ Squash and Zucchini (non-organic)
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs
Doe's Leap ~ Organic goat cheese

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Marinated Green Beans

News from the Field

The heat over the weekend was fantastic. We were able to make some hay during the nice warm sunshine.

The vegetable stand is very full. We are bursting with vegetables. We also carry meats, Beef from Boyden Beef and Pork and Lamb from Green Top Farm of Hyde Park. Goat cheese from Doe’s Leap and Breads from our friendly organic bakers at Red Hen Bakery in Middlesex. Bread is fresh at the farm stand on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Please enjoy our fresh organic produce!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 10

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

New Potatoes ~ red, white, blue & gold ~ 1 qt
Sweet Corn ~ 4 ears
Broccoli ~ 1 bunch
Cabbage ~ 1 head
Carrots ~ 1 bunch
Green Beans ~ 1 ½ handfuls = 1lb
Bok Choy ~ 1 head
Lettuce ~ 1 head
Peppers ~ 2 sweet & 4 jalapeno
Tomatoes ~ 1 large & 1 small
Herbs ~ choice

Also at the Farm Stand

grown at Valley Dream Farm...

Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Zucchini, Broccoli, Radishes, Broccoli rabbe,
Kale, Swiss Chard, Fava beans

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Maple shade Farm ~ maple syrup
Essex ~ Sweet Corn, Summer Squash and Zucchini (non-organic)
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Roasted New Potatoes

News from the Field

If we seem a little distracted it is because we are so busy during this time of year. We are picking, weeding and even trying to spray natural organic preventatives for all the diseases when the sun does shine.

Please remember to rinse all your veggies just before eating or preparing. Please refer to last week’s newsletter regarding storage and refreshing of your veggies. Just keep on eating your vegetables while they are here and sooooo fresh!

Please enjoy our fresh organic produce!
- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 9

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Lettuce
Broccoli
Carrots
Broccoli Raabe
Fava Beans
Radishes
Swiss Chard
Peppers (sweet & jalapeno)
Tomato
New Potatoes (red, white, blue & gold mix)
Herbs

Also at the Farm Stand

grown at Valley Dream Farm...
Green Beans, Carrots, Broccoli
Blueberries

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Maple shade Farm ~ maple syrup
Essex ~ Sweet Corn, Summer Squash and Zucchini (non-organic)
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Broccoli Salad

News from the Field

The vegetables are really starting to produce and we see your bags are more full by the week. We have a new lettuce this week called deer tongue it is a baby Boston lettuce.

I wanted to let you know about bringing wilted veggies back, and how to store them so they are stored in the best condition. Lettuce will revive, just re-cut the bottoms and submerge in a sink filled with cold water for 15 minutes, shake off excess water and place in a plastic bag before putting in the veggie drawer. Give it a few hours. The root crops like the moisture too. Soak, shake off excess and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Tomatoes belong on the counter or window sill for the best flavor, never in the fridge it makes them mealy.

Potatoes stay best in a cool dark place (which may be the fridge during the summer).

Kale and Broccoli love the cold, 32 degrees, we pack them in bags (with ice too) in the coldest part of your frig. Please enjoy our fresh organic produce!

- Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 8

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Lettuce
Cabbage
Peas
Radishes
Swiss Chard
Peppers (purple or green)
Tomato
Blueberries
Herbs
Annuals

Free Flowers!!
All annuals in the cold frame need to go!

Also at the Farm Stand

grown at Valley Dream Farm...
Green Beans, Carrots, Broccoli
Strawberries (get them while they last)

produced locally...*
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Maple shade Farm ~ maple syrup
Essex ~ Sweet Corn, Summer Squash and Zucchini (non-organic)
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Grilled Rainbow Chard with Fava Beans and Oregano

News from the Field

We've had sun and humidity; now we are asking for three consecutive days of sun without rain so we can make hay. I keep hoping August will be sunny, warm and drier.

Rain and wet ground has brought some plant disease issues. Plant roots need air and we love to find earthworms tunneling around them. Rain and wet ground drive the worms to the surface and rot the roots. A water mold called potato blight, which caused the great famine in Ireland, was recently found as close to us as Burlington. The blight also affects tomatoes. If your plants suddenly die, dispose of them in tied trash bags; do NOT compost them as the disease will overwinter. We have 8 acres in potatoes, so I hope it stays away from here!

Combating slugs? Sprinkle wood ashes around the base of your plants or place jar lids filled with beer to drown them.

Enjoy our fresh organic produce!
~ Anne Tisbert

2009, Week 7

What delicious organic veggies are available this week at Valley Dream Farm?

In Your CSA Bag

Sugar Snap Peas or Snow Peas
Lettuce
Carrots
Cabbage (Green, Napa, Arrowhead)
Lacinata Kale
Swiss Chard or Kohlrabi
Tomato
Basil
Annuals

Free Flowers!!
All annuals in the cold frame need to go!

Also at the Farm Stand

grown at Valley Dream Farm...
Green Beans
Fava Beans

produced locally...*
Blueberries
Boyden Farm ~ beef
Green Top Farm ~ lamb & pork
Maple shade Farm ~ maple syrup
P. Mazza's Farm ~ summer squash & zucchini (non-organic)
Red Hen Baking Co. ~ organic breads
Jericho Settlers Farm ~ free range eggs

* These items are brought into our farm stand to give you a larger selection.

Recipe of the Week

Fresh Green Peas & Sugar Snaps in Sesame Dressing

News from the Field

It's mid july and we are finally seeing and feeling the summer sunshine. But in Vermont we say, if you like the weather, wait an hour. Last Friday some of our neighboring farms were hit by a terrible hail and rain storm. Luckily, Valley Dream Farm only got heavy rain.

Hail shreds the leaves on lettuce or other greens, leaving the crop unsalvageable for sales. One farm even reported having tomatoes ripped off plants and plants bent over and broken. They hope to repair the plants as it is too late to replant this far into the season. To help our neighbors get through this unexpected difficulty, Valley Dream Farm has donated lettuce to a CSA farm in Westford and a farm stand in Johnson. Please keep them in your prayers.

Enjoy our fresh organic produce!
~ Anne Tisbert

News from the Strawberry Field

Last week we were still waiting for the big heat wave, knowing that when it arrives we will all be melting and wishing for those cooler days and nights.

The strawberries were being difficult. They must love being pink and tart! I always expect them to come out on my birthday, June 23rd. At last, this week we are able to offer them in your CSA bags. U-Pick is open 10am to 6pm. Bring your own basket!

Things are growing well with all this rain -- including the weeds and pests. We are trying to stay on top of them all. The broccoli needs a little attention from you, as we do not spray it with chemicals. The broccoli you buy in the store is sprayed to kill cabbage moth. Aren't you happier to eat organic now?

Soak your broccoli in the sink with a gallon of water and 1/2 cup salt. Put a plate on top to keep it submerged for 15 minutes. This will remove any of the tiny green cabbage moth caterpillers that are hiding in the heads. If they are in there, you probably won't see them until they are in the bottom of your sink. Shake or rinse off the salt water and put the broccoli into a plastic bag in your vegetable drawer. Broccoli can withstand the coldest spot in your refrigerator.

Come visit us at the Cambridge and Williston Farmers' Markets on Saturday mornings.

Anne - June 23, 2009

New Season 2009

We're growing in more ways than one this year.

In addition to our delicious organic vegetables and fruits, plants and flowers, we are offering a variety of yummy local products -- meat, eggs, cheese and bread.

We are especially pleased to have Boyden Farm naturally grown beef available daily at our farmstand. Mark and Lauri Boyden have closed their on-farm market to concentrate on the deluge of events at their beautiful newly remodelled barn. They will be relying on restaurants and markets -- like our farmstand -- to distribute their products.

We are also offering CSA add-on shares for our own floral bouquets as well as

• Red Hen organic bread,
• Jericho Settler Farms natural free range eggs,
• Twiss Hill organic chicken,
• Maple Shade syrup,
• Doe's Leap organic goat cheese,
• Greentop Farm meats.

The annual Spring Celebration -- opening day for our CSA membership -- is at the farm on Saturday May 16th from 11 am to 3 pm. Taste the products in our new share add-ons, design your window boxes, take a tour, peek in the greenhouse, pick up bedding plants, and take home free samples and our new Valley Dream Farm CSA cloth bags. Great prices on everything!

Visit our website for directions and more information about what's available right now. See you at the farm on May 16th!

Anne Tisbert, Valley Dream Farm

Happy New Year

Winter is here and it is very cold and blustery. There are no more tomatoes until next season, as the day light hours became too short for the plants. The greenhouse is growing much slower than we anticipated, but your patience has paid off.

In today's CSA basket, you will receive the first of the mesculin mix. In it is several varieties of baby lettuce, red sails, salad bowl and rouge d'hiver; also there are other baby greens, slightly spicy called Pac Choi, Tatsoi, a Red Russian Kale, and a very serrated leaf called Mizuna. We have also added baby "Cress" which is in the water chestnut family. It has a completely different shape than the lettuces and a very tiny leaf. Tamara described it as having a sweet apple flavor.

We also wanted you to have the first of the BABY radishes called "D'Avignon". They are a traditional variety from Southern France. They are oblong shaped, red colored with white tips and are quite a bit sweeter than your normal radish. Their tops are edible and can be added to your greens.

There are also several varieties of squashes, Carnival (multi-colored orange and yellow), Delicata (light yellow with green stripes, oblong shaped), and Dark Green Acorn (ribbed). We have brought in some more onions and parsnips for you to try. They are organic from Riverside Farm in Hardwick.

Members have been so happy with their vegetables we have had may phone calls to add additional items to their share pick-ups. The Farm Stand is officially closed, now. If you would like to order ahead -- turnips, beets, carrots, potatoes (reds, golds, and whites in 5, 10, or 50 lbs) -- to add to your CSA share or if you need additional items or want to store more of what you are receiving today, just leave us a phone message with your name. Please give us 48 hour notice so we can arrange to have your extra items packed and waiting for you.

Enjoy your fresh vegetables and produce.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! We wish you all God's Blessings for a healthy 2009.

Anne Tisbert