By Pat Lang, Farm Production Director
Greetings from a chilly, cloudy, and snowy Poughkeepsie Farm Project! As this is my first newsletter note as PFP’s Farm Production Director, allow me to introduce myself to those I have yet to meet and to say hello again to folks in and around Poughkeepsie who knew me as a farm employee from years past (want to know more? Read my introduction on PFP’s blog). A warm hello indeed, and gratitude to all of you who are a part of the PFP community, whatever the capacity.
News from the Farm
Andre plowing the farm drive
The gentle winter weather that accommodated distanced outdoor gatherings was a blessing in December, but it didn't persist through to spring. Aside from sending most of us indoors more often, the snow and cold of February has complicated winter farm harvests and have increased our resource usage as we protect fresh kale, spinach, and lettuces from freezing conditions.
Winter sunset at PFP
The need for attention to detail and overall care for systems on the farm is magnified during a cold and snowy winter: water-carrying pipes and hoses can freeze and burst if not properly drained, storage crops like carrots and beets could be damaged if heat is not [gently] supplied to our coolers, and the beautiful winter greens growing in the tunnels could be compromised if folks on the farm are not attentive to a number of variables associated with the high tunnels. That said, the farm crew has distributed thousands of pounds of PFP-grown food this winter and is poised to continue doing so until field harvests begin! This success during a period of staff transition at PFP is a testament to farm crew members’ skill, patience, and sincere care about our work. Thank you farm team!
Winter Produce Goodness!
Looking to try a new preparation for fresh winter veggies? Whether you are a PFP winter share member or are picking up produce from your favorite market, we’ve got suggestions!
Liv, wholesale coordinator and farm crew member
This month, our new wholesale coordinator, Liv, shares some of her easy and delicious preparations of produce that is available right now. Liv is a new Poughkeepsie resident who joined the farm team at the start of February. She will be managing our sales to restaurants, institutions, and other farms in the area, sales that help make our winter CSA and winter donations possible by supporting year-round employment of farm crew members.
SUPER easy cabbage salad
You will need
1 small/medium cabbage head or half of a large head
1 lime
salt & pepper
Enjoy the flavor of red or green cabbage sweetened by winter cold, without much else! Thinly slice red or green cabbage into long, very slender pieces. Add the fresh juice from a whole lime, and toss thoroughly to coat the cabbage. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired. Allow the mixture to sit for several hours to slightly soften the cabbage and for the lime’s tartness to spread.
Curry Carrots
You will need
medium bundle of carrots (1 to 1.5 pounds)
1 to 2 Tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp curry powder
salt & pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place carrots on a baking sheet (slice in half lengthwise if any are especially wide) and toss with oil, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Roast 20-25 minutes or until tender and brown, tossing the carrots once at the halfway point. Perfect complement to a snowy afternoon.
Thanks to Liv for sharing these cooking and preparation tips! I look forward to sharing more vegetable wisdom from PFP’s vegetable growers. If YOU have a favorite recipe or preparation of seasonal veggies that you’d like to share with our community, email me: pat [at] farmproject [dot] org
German transporting potting mix for greenhouse production.