July 31ST, 2024 - SUMMER CSA Season Week 8
What's Inside This Week?
👉This Week's Article - "Independence from the Commercial Industrial Food System: Embracing Local, Sustainable, and Pure Food"
👉Featured Vegetable & Recipe of the Week: "Beets: A Nutrient Packed Addition to Your Table"
👉Gardening Tip of the Week: "Gardening Tip of the Week: The Benefits of Gypsum in Your Colorado Garden"
👉 CSA Tip of the Week: "Harnessing Community Connection: Utilizing Our Facebook Group to Enhance Your CSA Experience"
👉 Special Videos "Denver 7 News Interviews."
👉Upcoming schedule of events: July and August
👉 Monthly Giveaway - get $5.00!
👉Must-Read Announcements
👉Featured Vendor of the Week: "Scent Together"
👉Farmer's Market Update: w/ Vendor List and Veggie availability.
👉 Also: Don't miss our "Around the Farm" this week, our announcements, our "Weekly Harvest List" and more!
Dear FARMILY!
Hello everyone! We have made it to the middle of the Summer season - week 8 is here! The farm seems to be making a turnaround. The grasshoppers are reducing considerably (especially with our bin runs every morning) and the re-growth on many of our beds is returning. No, the season will not return to it's original majesty for at least another season, but it is returning and a happy ending we shall have! Though many of the preferred summer crops may be late or non-existent, we still do have a substantially large amount of crops in the ground getting ready for your dinner table.
GRASSHOPPER UPDATE
As mentioned above, it appears like we are making some serious headway against the grasshoppers. We continue to spray garlic spray, use overhead irrigation and are utilizing row-covers as much as possible, it is the bin-runs that are really making the biggest impact. We are now down to less than 1lb of grasshoppers per run (that's still 1,000 or more hoppers!). This is substantially down from our 5lb runs we were getting only a few weeks ago. So, not only are the grasshoppers finally dissipating, the crops are starting to grow back and the new crops we have planted are starting to establish themselves as well.
THIS WEEK'S CSA
We have a very greens-heavy CSA share for you this week with lot's of herbs. It will be a unique share this week, for sure, but it should also be beautiful and full of flavor! Parsley, lettuce, dill, kale, swiss chard and fennel will be the main highlights. Squash, cucumbers and turnips and carrots will also play a roll, as well as scallions and mustard and a few other varieties as well. Next week we should start seeing a larger cucumber and squash harvest and hopefully the tomatoes will finally start to ripen up for us! Beets, lettuce, kale, carrots and more turnips and radishes should also play a major role in the coming weeks as well.
These items along with the rest of the varieties (all listed below in the "This Week's Harvest" section below) will make up your shares. As always, don't forget to see the "What's in your Bag" sections this week to get all the details.
ATTENTION AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERS
A few weeks ago on July 1st you should have received an e-mail titled "Attention Auto-Renewal Members" and also an invoice that same day (or the next). This e-mail was sent out a second time next today, July 30th. Please keep an eye out for it, or if you haven't received it, please send us an e-mail or check your SPAM folders. This e-mail describes our new system for billing, which includes invoicing for auto-renewal memberships as opposed to utilizing a stored credit card and auto-charging. Although all auto-renewal memberships are currently secured and you and scheduled for your Fall CSA, the due date for payment is August 15th. Please keep an eye out for your e-mails and invoices and get your payment in as soon as possible (or communicate your intentions to do so). It is critical that we get the early payments from our auto-renewal members, as we rely on these payments to make it to (and through) the next season, which is the reason we offer the auto-renewal program with discounts and incentives. Thank you!
FARMER'S MARKET
This week's market is going to be an awesome one! Not only is the market ALWAYS awesome, but this week's market is a special one because it is a Homeschool Day! The last homeschool day we had brought in over a hundred kiddo's to tour the farm, play on our playground, do some awesome activities and get a free ZIPLINE RIDE! This week we are adding a petting zoo to the mix and Ms Tracy will be here to do an activity and stories. Of course the water-games will be out, the bounce-house and all the
regular goodies will also be available. So bring your kids out to visit the farm, support our vendors and have a great time!
As for the vendors this week, we have another fantastic lineup of local-only businesses: This week we should have amazing sourdough bread🥖and baked goods🧁, grass-fed meat🥩 and many of our craft vendors🧶 will also be returning, like Meadow Gate Studio🎨, beautiful candles🕯️, soap🧼 and even baby chicks🐣 will also be there! Don't forget the CC's Tamale's 🫔 will be here for lunch and you can wash it down and keep cool with a delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade 🍋🍋from our wonderful Double E's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade.
The veggies and the fruit available this week should be better than last. We have 19 varieties of vegetables for you this week and we will also have lots of organic cherries and corn from Austin Family Farms as well! 🥕🥬
You can learn more about all of this below, so don't forget to check out our "Upcoming Events" listings below, our "Events - A Look Ahead" section and also for more information on this week's Farmer's Market, the vegetables available at our stand and all the vendors that will be coming this week, please see our "Farmer's Market Update" section below as well!
THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER
This is a bi-weekly newsletter for you all this week with articles from last week to give you all more time to read them including the Article of the Week, Recipe of the Week, CSA Tip of the Week, Gardening Tip of the Week, and the Featured Vendor of the Week and more!
I hope you enjoy the newsletter this week, continue to enjoy your CSA shares and have an awesome week!
We love you all, our beautiful FaRmily!!!
Farmer Yosef and Family!
WE L❤️VE OUR COMMUNITY!
PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDARS!!!
YOU ARE INVITED to the 🍂7th Annual Ahavah Community Fall Festival🍂!! It's going to be an evening of family-fun at Ahavah Farm to help raise money to feed local families in need!
If you missed the Summer Fest, or got rained out, now is your second chance to come out, have fun and make a difference in the lives of those in YOUR community who need help!
🎸LIVE MUSIC- 🐴HAY-RIDES - 🔥BONFIRE W/ S'MORES - 🛍️LOCAL VENDORS - 🛝ZIP-LINE - 🏰BOUNCE HOUSES - 🧗GIANT PLAYGROUND - 🐐PETTING ZOO - ⚒️DEMONSTRATIONS - 🤡FACE-PAINTING - 🍔FOOD TRUCKS - AND MORE!
Every penny raised during our festival goes straight, 100%, to feeding LOCAL families in need! Come on out, have fun, watch demonstrations, enjoy live music, cook a s'more by the bonfire, shop at our local vendors and help us raise money for families who need it the most!
Suggested Donation of only $2.00 per person!
Get in Early - Fall season registration is NOW OPEN!
ONLY 65 SPOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!*
(*Auto-renewal members are already registered and your spots are secured)
🍂Fall is the BEST season of them all! Just when all the Summer Farmer's Market's close down for the year is when the best season really gets started! Fall is the only time of the year that we have pretty much every variety available - from summer tomatoes and cucumbers and peppers to cooler crop lettuce, kale and greens to the fall squashes and pumpkins!
If you are looking for the freshest, purest and most nutrient-dense vegetables you can when the local farmer's market's call it quits, then you don't want to miss the Ahavah Farm FALL CSA Veggie-Share! 12 weeks of the best veggies you can find. It's the best season of them all!
Go to www.ahavahfarm.com/csa to register for our Fall season Community Supported Agriculture Veggie-Shares and get weekly bags of the freshest, most nutrient-dense vegetables available!!
🥕The highest quality, 100% local, produce you can find, harvested and delivered fresh every week!
😝Pure, chemical-free, regeneratively grown produce.
💳Flexible payment options.
💲Many discounts are available - see website!
📌4 Locations for CSA pickup (Peyton, Co. Springs, Denver and Monument).
🚚Door to Door delivery options available!
🫰Got SNAP!? Get 50% off your CSA share automatically!
👨👩👧👦Every share supports families in need through donations.
💪Flexible CSA options, holds, credits and more.
🧑🏫Classes, events, tours and community opportunities.
⭐100% of everything we sell is grown and harvested and delivered by Ahavah Farm and Ahavah Farm ONLY - All produce is grown 100% on our farm in Peyton Colorado, near Colorado Springs without a single chemical, in rich, composted soil. We use biodynamic principles to grow the purest, most nutrient-dense vegetables available and deliver them to you fresh, every week!
EATING HEALTHY SHOULD NOT BE A STRUGGLE!
Our mission at Ahavah Farm is to "provide health to our region, healing to our earth and love to our community by growing the purest and most environmentally responsible food available" and we are proud to say that we have never given up on our mission or compromised our values throughout all of these years.
Our mission has never been about making profit, getting wealthy or about anything other than service to you and to our planet. We strive to grow the freshest, purest, most sustainably grown produce that we are able to, without compromises and we want those that need the food the most to be the ones to get it! That's why we have so many options to make your support of our farm to be more convenient and more affordable!
Whether you pay with SNAP benefits, make monthly or weekly payments, whether you simply
share the support with your neighbors or you simply are having a difficult time making ends meet, we want to serve you and we want you and our whole community to flourish!
We hope you will sign up for our four-season CSA, whether for one season or for them all, and we want to make it easy for you to do so with the following opportunities:
Pay What You Can Afford
Times are tough, and getting PURE food is difficult for so many. Support your local farm, eat fresh, pure, chemical-free food with our Pay-What-You-Can-Afford program! All of our prices are suggested prices and if you can’t afford the suggested price, please be blessed by paying what you can! Select “CASH PAYMENT” at checkout and send us an e-mail telling us how much you can afford! No questions asked! It’s that simple!
Refer-A-Friend and Get $25.00
When you tell a friend or neighbor about our CSA program, not only do you get $25.00, but your friend ALSO get’s $25.00 too! After your friend signs up, simply have them send us an e-mail telling us who referred them and you BOTH get $25.00 for free food!
Flexible, No-Fee, No-Interest Payment Plans
The lump-sum of paying for your CSA share can be inconvenient! That’s why we allow all of our members to pay us, not only WHAT they can, but WHEN they can! These payment plans are INTEREST-FREE and flexible to YOUR needs! Simply select “CASH PAYMENT” at checkout and send us an e-mail to work out a plan that works for YOU!
Got SNAP? Get 50% Off Automatically!
Saving 50% off is a “SNAP” when you pay with your EBT / SNAP benefits! That’s right, when you pay your CSA share with your SNAP benefits you AUTOMATICALLY get 50% off of your CSA membership and all of our veggies at all of our stands! Eating pure has never been more affordable! Simply select “CASH PAYMENT” at checkout and send us an e-mail to let us know you will be paying with your SNAP / EBT benefits!
BECOMING A MEMBER OF ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS IS SUPER-SIMPLE:
Go to ahavahfarm.com/csa and scroll down to select the size share you want (all the details are found there).
2. When checking out select "CASH PAYMENT"
3. Send us a quick e-mail and let us know you will be paying with SNAP or making a payment plan, or let us know how much you are able to afford so we can work with you to make a plan that fits YOUR budget!
Please spread the word and let us know if you have any questions!
PS. We do not get subsidized for any of our vegetables. Not from any one person or from any organization. Ahavah Farm is a for-profit, family farm, but we simply can't stand to see people struggling to feed their families our nutrient-dense produce, when it's needed. The only two things we ask in return is that you tell others about our family's generosity and that you don't take advantage of our generosity. THANK YOU!!!
REFERAL PROGRAM!
🌞TELL YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY AND YOU BOTH GET $25🌞
Refer a friend to Ahavah Farm's CSA and you BOTH will receive $25 in credit to use ANYTIME you want! Use to buy extra vegetables, or take $25 off your next CSA purchase - your credit will never expire!
New members simply send an e-mail to contact@ahavahfarm.com to let us know who referred you and you BOTH receive your $25 certificate! It's that easy!😁
Denver 7 News Interviews
Denver 7 News came out and did a couple of featured stories on our farm and the grasshopper situation this past week. I think you might enjoy the interviews, so I have included them below.
PART 1:
PART 2:
Weekly Farmer's Market Update
Ahavah Community Indoor / Outdoor Farmer's Market
Every Friday from 10am to 1pm!
FARMER'S MARKET
This week's market is going to be an awesome one! Not only is the market ALWAYS awesome, but this week's market is a special one because it is a Homeschool Day! The last homeschool day we had brought in over a hundred kiddo's to tour the farm, play on our playground, do some awesome activities and get a free ZIPLINE RIDE! This week we are adding a petting zoo to the mix and Ms Tracy will be here to do an activity and stories. Of course the water-games will be out, the bounce-house and all the
regular goodies will also be available. So bring your kids out to visit the farm, support our vendors and have a great time!
As for the vendors this week, we have another fantastic lineup of local-only businesses: This week we should have amazing sourdough bread🥖and baked goods🧁, grass-fed meat🥩 and many of our craft vendors🧶 will also be returning, like Meadow Gate Studio🎨, beautiful candles🕯️, soap🧼 and even baby chicks🐣 will also be there! Don't forget the CC's Tamale's 🫔 will be here for lunch and you can wash it down and keep cool with a delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade 🍋🍋from our wonderful Double E's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade.
The veggies and the fruit available this week should be better than last. We have 19 varieties of vegetables for you this week and we will also have lots of organic cherries and corn from Austin Family Farms as well! 🥕🥬
Here are the list of Vendors you can expect to see this week:
✅Ahavah Farm-Beyond Organic Veggies🥕
✅The Sourdough Boulangerie🥖
✅J Jr's Freeze Dried Treats🍭
✅Good Shephard Coffee Roasters☕(vacation for next 2 weeks!)
✅Double E's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade🍋
✅Simply Blessed Boutique-Crafts & More🏺
✅CC's Tamales🫔
✅Scent Together - Candles🕯️
✅Minions Ranch - Grassfed and Pastured Meats and Eggs🥩
✅What's Your Bag?🛍️
✅Meadow Gate Studio🎨
✅Ahavah Farm Nursery🪴
✅The Chicken Math Professor - Hatching eggs and chicks🐣
(ATTENTION LOCAL VENDORS: DID YOU KNOW OUR MARKET IS FREE!? WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE VENDORS FOR OUR WEEKLY FARMER'S MARKET. CONTACT BETH AT MANAGER@AHAVAHFARM.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION!)
🥕🥬🌱Vegetables (and fruit*) at the Farmer's Market this week
(JULY 30th)
Cherries, Fennel, Dill, Parsley, Salad Mix, Squash, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Mustard, Kale, Carrots, Beets, Turnips, Swiss Chard, Scallions, Arugula, Plants, Sunflower Shoots, Pea Shoots, Broccoli Microgreens, Radish Microgreens, Wheat Grass
(For CSA location "extras", please see below in the "Extra Vegetables" section below)
*Fruit is certified organic from Austin Family Farms, a farm we trust and have known for many years and have partnered with to provide the purest fruit around.
📢FEATURED VENDOR OF THE WEEK!📢
Scent Together
Scent Together is a fabulous candle-making and wax-melt business. Their creations are almost limitless with hundreds of designs, scents and varieties. Scent Together offers all the common, beloved scents like lavendar and vanilla, lilac and apple blossom, but they have such unique flavors that you may never have experienced before, bringing your senses to a whole new experience! Scents like Midnight Peony, Sea Salt and Orchard and Honeysuckle and Jasmine and of course their alcohol series of scents are also a hit while their coffee candles are incredible!
Check out and follow Scent Together Facebook HERE
ATTENTION LOCAL BUSINESSES!
We are so excited about our current line-up of vendors, but we are still seeking more!
✅FREE MARKET for all vendors!
✅100% of raised funds goes to feeding LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED!
✅PERMANENT tents! No need to bring a tent - just come and set up under ours!
✅Indoors and heated on COLD days!
✅GUARANTEED traffic of 200-350 people+ per market!
✅FRIDAY's from 10am to 1pm
👉If you are a local vendor and are interested in attending our farmer's market, please reach out directly at manager@ahavahfarm.com and we will send you information and the vendor agreement.
July Monthly Give-Away!
Every month we will be having a monthly give-away for our members and non-members. Here is this week's MONTHLY GIVE-AWAY!
Recommend Ahavah Farm on Facebook and get $5.00!
If you have a Facebook account and want to support our farm by "recommending" us, we will give you $5.00 to use at any of our CSA locations or at our Farmer's Market.
To recommend a business on Facebook, you can do the following:
Go to the business's Facebook page.
Click the Reviews tab.
Click Yes or No to recommend the page.
Write a review that's at least 25 characters long.
In the Sharing section, select who can see your review.
Click "Post"
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
Independence from the Commercial Industrial Food System: Embracing Local, Sustainable, and Pure Food
By Yosef Camire
Every day the complexities of our modern world become more and more diverse, distracting us and keeping us out-of-tune with things that appear to be outside of our own circle of influence. However, as these complexities become ever more complex, and the busier our workload and the greater our burdens become, the more they are being overlooked and ignored because we are so focused on simply surviving. Therefore the more important it is for each of us to attempt to shift our attention to the improvement of some of these areas. One such area that deserves our focused attention is our food system, particularly the commercialization of our food system which is becoming more and more commercialized every day.
The commercial industrial food system, while convenient and seemingly efficient, comes with a host of negatives that impact our health, environment, and communities. In contrast, supporting local farms like Ahavah Farm not only addresses these issues but also fosters a deeper connection with the land, enhances our freedom, and builds resilience. Let's explore the pitfalls of the current food system and the transformative power of embracing local, sustainable, and pure food.
The Problems with the Commercial Industrial Food System
The commercial industrial food system is designed for mass production and distribution, prioritizing efficiency and profit over quality and sustainability. This approach has led to several significant problems:
Nutrient Depletion: Industrial farming practices often involve monocropping and heavy use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. These methods deplete the soil of essential nutrients, leading to less nutritious crops. As a result, the food produced is often lacking in vital vitamins and minerals, compromising our health. It's not a huge wonder why disease is more and more rampant every single day. By taking a look at what we are feeding ourselves it should become clear what the correlation is!
Environmental Degradation: The intensive use of chemicals in industrial farming contaminates water sources, degrades soil health, and reduces biodiversity. Additionally, the carbon footprint of transporting food over long distances contributes significantly to climate change. Again, this is as much common sense as it is obvious to those that have their eyes open.
Loss of Local Economies: The dominance of large agribusinesses undermines local farms and economies. Small farmers, and we know this first-hand, struggle to compete with the scale and pricing of industrial operations, leading to the decline of local agriculture and rural communities. Whether we are talking about subsidies (the most degrading aspect to our agri-centered economy and culture), underpaid, immigrant labor or simply major industrialized processes as well as variety-selection for cost, shipping and storage, these functions of the industrial farming industry is very destructive to local agribusinesses.
Disconnected Consumers: The industrial food system creates a disconnect between consumers and the origins of their food. As mentioned above, the agri-centered economy and culture is broken down and non-existent compared to years and decades gone by. Many people are unaware of where their food comes from, how it is grown, and the impact it has on their health and the environment which furthers this negative loop of lack of education and therefore the lack of informative consent to how our food is grown and produce. Never mind complete malevolence that we in our culture have witnessed regarding our food system. As long as it's at the grocery store and isn't expensive, we somehow trust that it's safe to eat or worse, that it's going to actually have nutrients to restore or maintain our health!
The Power of Supporting Local Farms
In contrast to the industrial food system, supporting local farms like Ahavah Farm offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond the food we eat. By choosing local, we can reclaim our independence from an unsustainable system and foster a more resilient and connected community, repair our local-food economy, encourage healthy food production and help sustain our land and environment from further degradation and future disaster.
Connecting with the Land
One of the most profound benefits of supporting local farms is the opportunity to reconnect with the land. When we purchase food from local farms, we gain insight into the farming practices used, the care taken to grow our food, and the dedication of the farmers. This connection fosters a deeper appreciation for the food we consume and the natural world that sustains us.
At Ahavah Farm, we are committed to regenerative farming practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability. By choosing our produce, you are not only supporting these practices but also participating in a system that respects and nurtures the land. This connection to the land is a reminder of our responsibility to care for the environment and preserve it for future generations.
Fostering Freedom and Resilience
Supporting local farms, like ours, is a powerful act of reclaiming our food sovereignty. In a world where the industrial food system dominates, choosing to support local is an assertion of independence and self-reliance. It is a commitment to breaking free from a system that prioritizes profit over people and the planet. And it is a commitment! Supporting local is not easy. Sometimes it costs more (sometimes it doesn't and can save you money too - like joining our CSA), sometimes access can be frustrating and not as streamlined as we would like and it may require travel to different farms and local markets on certain days and at certain times. It IS a commitment, and can be difficult, but if these values are important to you, and you care about the future of the food system ever improving, then it is worth the fight and the extra effort!
With your extra effort and support, local food systems can continue to thrive and since they are inherently more resilient than industrial food systems, the impact local food systems can make on our local economies, environment and culture / communities is unparalleled. Local food systems are less vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains and can adapt more readily to local conditions and needs. By supporting local farms, we strengthen our community's ability to withstand economic and environmental challenges. This resilience is crucial in an era of increasing climate uncertainty and global instability.
Building Community and Connection
One of the most inspiring aspects of supporting local farms is the sense of community it fosters. At Ahavah Farm, we see ourselves as part of a larger family that includes our CSA members, market customers, and the broader community at large. By choosing to support us, you become part of this family (our "FaRmily" as we like to call it) and contribute to a network of relationships built on trust, respect, and shared values.
Our CSA program, for example, offers more than just fresh, nutrient-dense produce. It is an invitation to participate in the rhythms of the farm, attend educational workshops and classes, and to engage with fellow members. This sense of belonging and connection is a powerful antidote to the isolation and disconnection often experienced in modern society.
Pure, Nutrient-Dense Food
At the heart of the movement away from the industrial food system is a desire for pure, nutrient-dense food. Industrial farming practices (including "organic") often compromise the quality of food in pursuit of higher yields, storage capabilities, shipping resilience and longer shelf life. In contrast, local farms like Ahavah Farm prioritize quality over quantity.
We grow our produce without the use of synthetic chemicals, GMOs, or harmful pesticides. Our commitment to purity means that the food you receive from us is not only free from harmful substances but also packed with nutrients. Studies have shown that locally grown, organic produce often contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals compared to conventionally grown counterparts, and our BRIX scores are generally always at the top of the spectrum.
By choosing local, you are making an investment in your health and well-being.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Supporting local farms has a ripple effect on the local economy and the environment. Every dollar spent on local produce circulates within the community, supporting not only the farmers and the farm employees, but also local businesses and services. This economic activity strengthens the local economy and creates jobs, contributing to the overall prosperity of the community. Supporting Ahavah Farm also has the added benefit of offering a FREE Farmer's Market to all local businesses. This is an opportunity that we took on in order to help support small businesses by using our space to benefit everyone. Local businesses have the option of donating to Ahavah Community Initiative (501c3), but are under no obligation to do so, therefore, all your support at these markets goes straight into the vendor's pocket, and really, truly, benefits the local economy in a very sustainable and real way.
From an environmental perspective, local farms typically have a smaller carbon footprint compared to industrial operations. Our farm, for example, is considered "carbon negative" (which means we remove more carbon out of the atmosphere than our business actually creates. The reduced need for transportation means lower greenhouse gas emissions and less reliance on fossil fuels, particularly in the shipment of produce. The average distance lettuce travels in this country is 1,400 miles - this alone can account for an incredible environmental impact! Additionally, sustainable farming practices such as those employed at Ahavah Farm help to preserve soil health, protect water sources, and enhance biodiversity.
A Call to Action
In light of the numerous benefits of supporting local farms, we invite you to join Ahavah Farm and others in this community in making a conscious choice to move away from the industrial food system. By choosing local, sustainable, and pure food, you are making a powerful statement about the kind of world you want to live in.
Embrace Local
Seek out local farmers' markets (we have one on farm every Friday from 10am to 1pm here at the farm), join a CSA (our CSA is currently taking registration for Fall), or visit local farms (we offer tours and events all the time!). By purchasing directly from farmers, you ensure that more of your money goes to the people who grow your food. This direct connection not only supports the farmers but also gives you greater control over the quality and source of your food.
Educate Yourself and Others
Take the time to learn about the food system and the impact of your choices. Share this knowledge with friends and family, encouraging them to consider the benefits of local food. Education is a powerful tool for change, and together, we can shift the demand towards more sustainable and ethical food practices.
Advocate for Change
Support policies and initiatives that promote local agriculture, sustainability, and food security. Advocate for community gardens, urban farming, and other local food projects. By getting involved in local food advocacy, you can help create a food system that prioritizes people and the planet. You might think that your voice doesn't count, but it does! Everyone's voice matters and if everyone believed this, no one would stand up when it is necessary. Please stand up and stand next to your fellow farmers and help support the values you believe in!
Support Ahavah Farm (and others with similar values)
At Ahavah Farm, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality, nutrient-dense, and sustainably grown produce. Your support enables us to continue our mission of serving the community, caring for the environment, and fostering a deeper connection with the land. Join our CSA, visit our market stand, or participate in our educational programs and festivals. Together, we can create a food system that is Local-Sustainable-Pure(TM).
Conclusion
The journey towards independence from the commercial industrial food system is a path of empowerment, resilience, and connection. By choosing to support local farms, you are taking a stand for a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable food system. You are embracing the opportunity to connect with the land, foster community, and nourish your body with pure, nutrient-dense food.
At Ahavah Farm, we are honored to be part of this journey with you. We are committed to being a light unto the nations, serving our community with love, and nurturing the land with care. Together, we can build a future where local, sustainable, and pure food is the norm, not the exception. Thank you for your support, and let's continue to grow, learn, and thrive together.
If you haven't signed up for our FALL CSA, please do so by going to ahvahfarm.com/csa
Ahavah Community Upcoming Schedule
UPCOMING EVENTS
👉July 26th @ 10am: FOR KIDS! The Wonderful World of BEES! - Register for this class by e-mailing manager@ahavahfarm.com
👉July 29th: FREE FOOD APPLICATION! Applications for our Fall CSA membership application opens today! Go to www.ahavahcommunity.org for more information and to apply.
👉August 2nd @ 10am - 1pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉August 2nd @ 10am: FARM TOUR! Come on a tour with Farmer Yosef and learn about the ins and outs of Ahavah Farm. How do we grow? How do we process? Meet the team! See our Infrastructure! Register by emailing manager@ahavahfarm.com
👉August 9th @ 4pm - 8pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! 10th Annual Summer Festival! Join over 2,000 people for an annual fundraising event, bonfire, shopping, activities and more!
👉August 9th @ 10am: ADULT EDUCATION! Grow Your Own Microgreens with Lorin! - Register for this class by e-mailing manager@ahavahfarm.com
👉August 15th @ 10am - 1pm: AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERS! Due date for Auto-renewal payments / payment plan agreements.
👉August 16th @ 10am - 1pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉July 19th @ 10am - 1pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
🥕EXTRA VEGGIES and PLANTS FOR SALE🌻
Can't make it to the Farm for the Friday Farmer's Market? THAT'S OK! Please be sure to check out the extras table at all of our CSA pickup locations: available for all members and even NON-MEMBERS!
Simply come to any of the CSA locations on Thursday and Friday and pick up some of our beyond-organic veggies for sale!
(IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that selection is limited and the more requests and participation we receive, the more vegetables and varieties we will provide)
Food bearing plants also qualify for SNAP !!!
For Payment: Cash or Check at the drops or the balance can be sent via PayPal to contact@ahavahfarm.com or via Venmo to 719-233-7828
Availability for "EXTRA's at the CSA pickup locations this week (Summer Week 7):
(see Farmer's Market Section, above, for market selection this week)
Fennel, Dill, Parsley, Salad Mix, Squash, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Mustard, Kale, Carrots, Beets, Turnips, Swiss Chard, Scallions, Arugula, Plants, Sunflower Shoots, Pea Shoots, Broccoli Microgreens, Radish Microgreens, Wheat Grass
Microgreen CSA Shares Are Available! Sign Up Today and SAVE 💲💲💲!
Microgreen CSA Share: 3 Servings of Microgreens EVERY WEEK! Save 17%!!!
Love our microgreens but haven't signed up for a Microgreen CSA?
All Packaging is Compostable and Green!👉
We pride ourselves on our microgreen quality as being not only absolutely pure - grown without chemicals, fertilizers or inefficient energy (we grow with 100% solar, renewable energy!), but they are absolutely beautiful, long-lasting and delicious! We really can't rave enough!
WHAT'S IN A SHARE? In your Microgreen CSA you will receive a combination of 3 microgreens every week with the option to purchase add-ons and extras when available.
Pickup locations and times are the same as Ahavah Farm Veggie Share CSA but you do not have to be a veggie-share member to be a microgreen CSA member - these are two independent programs combined into one.
Order yours today at https://www.ahavahfarm.com/microgreen-csa
🚨Updated Member Benefits🚨
🚨Easy & Flexible Payment Plans!🚨
🥕Paypal "Pay Later" options on the website! These are no-credit check, interest-free online payment plans so you can make 4 smaller payments directly through Paypal. Ahavah Farm benefits as well by paid immediately, thereby providing the farm liquidity, while giving our members flexibility and ease of mind!
🥕We also still have FLEXIBLE and CUSTOMIZABLE offline pay plans in place if you would prefer to make payments via check. Please email us at contact@ahavahfarm.com if you would like more information on offline payment plan and to set up your payment schedule.
Founded in April of 2018, our mission is to connect people who are facing food insecurity due to financial struggles to locally-farmed, regeneratively-grown produce, and to provide education centered around healthy living and environmental consciousness. We do this by offering donated memberships to a local CSA program. Memberships include a weekly bag of produce along with discounted (often free) farm tours, classes, and events.
We want to help participate in the creation of a local food-system-economy, build on a diversity of local and regenerative food education and provide activities and children's events centered around environmentally responsible agriculture and pure, beyond-organic, local food.
100% of every penny donated to this campaign will go STRAIGHT and only to these local community families.
Please consider a donation today!
"HI! Did you BRING-A-BUCK Today?!"
Oh the amazing power of community and crowdfunding!
Every week, at all of the CSA locations, we have a bin or jar that looks similar to this. As being a part of Ahavah Farm is also about being a part of a community, we ask all of our members to bring one - five dollars with them every week to help us provide a CSA membership to a family in need next season.
Don't say your dollar isn't important! The only way crowdfunding works is if we all participate. Your $1-$5 is vitally important and it is directly through this program that we raise the majority of ACI's food donation funds than any other fundraising program, and yet it is the absolute easiest for all of our members to participate!
During the Fall season, your Bring-A-Buck dollars will allow us to donate Fall CSA shares to families facing food insecurity and to offer subsidized shares to struggling families as well.
PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR BUCKS!🙏
Gardening Tip of the Week
Gardening Tip of the Week: The Benefits of Gypsum in Your Colorado Garden
By Yosef Camire
As you know, gardening in Colorado is no easy feat! To do so requires inside information from those who have experienced it over the years and had success. This is why I like to present a new Gardening Tip of the Week. I know how hard it was learning on my own, and I had always wished that i had someone to ask questions to, but I didn't! Now, I love to share my knowledge with you, and I hope you too will spread it far and wide so we can have as much success growing our own food and making the BIGGEST impact we can on our communities' health, resilience and environment!
As you know from my previous articles, there is nothing more important to the garden then the health of your soil. To have healthy soil we want as few inputs as we can possibly get away with, as a pure garden is naturally a sustainable one. When we first started farming it was incredibly important to me (and incredibly naive, I might add and admit) to have a completely self-sustaining farm and provided 100% of every input from our own efforts. However, over the years I have read many books, attended many conferences and stretched my experience to discover a few things, and that is that annual agriculture (one with carrots and tomatoes etc) is also known as "replacement agriculture." This means that as we harvest the carrots out of the ground, we must replenish those nutrients (i.e. the make-up / sum of the carrot) or we will eventually no-longer be able to grow carrots again! To do so we have created a system of inputs (both provided by on-farm processes and off-farm) that provides, what we believe to be, the most sustainable system for our farm and local environment and economy. There are 6 steps to our fertility that I want to cover for the next 6 weeks: gypsum, compost (including manure and vegetable), recycled potting soil, azomite, biological inputs (biodynamics, compost tea, compost extract etc) and sugar.
The first step in our fertility is the use of gypsum (calcium sulfate), a natural mineral that offers numerous benefits to our gardens. Let's delve into the why's and how's of using gypsum and understand why it is a sustainable choice for an input.
Why Gypsum?
Gypsum, also known as calcium sulfate, is a valuable soil amendment that can significantly improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient availability. Here in Colorado, our soil often faces issues like compactness, high salinity, and low nutrient availability and our water in Colorado, particularly from deep water aquifers often has a high Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) which can severely degradate soil. Gypsum addresses these challenges effectively by breaking up compact soil, allowing for better water infiltration and root penetration. This is particularly beneficial in our arid climate, where efficient water use is crucial.
The How's of Using Gypsum
Applying gypsum to your garden is a straightforward process. It can be incorporated into the soil either by broadcasting it on the surface and watering it in or by mixing it directly into the soil during planting. The recommended application rate is about 40 pounds per 1,000 square feet of garden space, but this can vary depending on your soil's specific needs. Regular applications, typically once a year, can help maintain optimal soil health.
Conditioning the Soil
One of the key benefits of gypsum is its ability to condition the soil. Gypsum helps to improve soil structure by causing clay particles to clump together, creating larger pores that enhance air and water movement. This is especially important in Colorado, where clay soils are common. By improving soil structure, gypsum helps to prevent soil crusting, reduce erosion, and promote healthy root development.
Calcium Bioavailability
Gypsum is an excellent source of calcium, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Unlike lime, which can alter soil pH (used often in northern regions, like New England), gypsum provides calcium without significantly changing the pH balance of your soil (as our PH is high enough!). This makes it a suitable choice for Colorado gardens, where maintaining the right pH balance is often a challenge. The calcium in gypsum is readily bioavailable, meaning it can be quickly absorbed by plant roots, supporting strong cell wall development and overall plant health.
A Sustainable Choice
Using gypsum in your garden is not only beneficial but also a sustainable choice. Not only do we source the gypsum from a local source, but the source is the single most environmentally sustainable mine of it's sort in the world (see below for our recommendation). Gypsum is in it's own right sustainable. It is a natural mineral that can be sourced responsibly and does not deplete the soil of other essential nutrients. By improving soil structure and nutrient availability, gypsum reduces the need for additional chemical inputs, supporting a more sustainable gardening practice. Moreover, its role in enhancing water infiltration and retention helps conserve water, an invaluable resource in our Colorado climate.
In summary, incorporating gypsum into your garden routine can offer significant benefits, from improving soil structure and drainage to providing essential calcium without altering soil pH, and it is the most bioavailable source of calcium as well (which means it will have an immediate effect on your plants). It's a sustainable, effective solution that aligns perfectly with our commitment to local, sustainable, and pure farming practices. As always, we encourage you to embrace these natural amendments and witness the positive impact they can have on your garden.
We source our gypsum from EcoGem, LLC located in Denver. Their website is eco-gem.com and you can tell CEO David Martin that we sent you! He can be contacted at dmartin@eco-gem.com .
VOLUNTEERING
Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization and we couldn't do it without you...but we need more help!
We need help with so many things:
Construction Projects
Landscaping Projects
Composting Projects
Harvesting, washing and prep.
Weeding
Bag Packing
Teaching Classes
General farm cleanup
and more...got a skill you want to share? Let us know!
Volunteering is Monday through Friday 9AM to 4PM.
Please let Beth know you are interested, she will send more information and necessary paperwork, and we will welcome you with open arms!
What's in your bags this week?
SUMMER Week 8 - August 1 and 2
CSA MEMBERSHIP SAVINGS (so-far) THIS SEASON*:
AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERS:
👏SMALL +7.42% 👏MEDIUM +14.05%👏17.53%
NON-AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERS:
👏SMALL +2.42% 👏MEDIUM +9.05%👏12.53%
*MARKET-STYLE MEMBER SAVINGS MAY BE GREATER OR LESSER DEPENDING ON SELECTION MADE BY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. THE ABOVE SAVINGS ARE CALCULATED VIA BAGGED TRADITIONAL-SHARE MEMBERSHIPS ONLY.
Market-Style Members Selection - Summer Week 8
Fennel, Dill, Parsley, Salad Mix, Squash, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Mustard, Kale, Carrots, Beets, Turnips, Swiss Chard, Scallions, Arugula, Plants, Sunflower Shoots, Pea Shoots, Broccoli Microgreens, Radish Microgreens, Wheat Grass
CSA Tip of the Week!
Harnessing Community Connection: Utilizing Our Facebook Group to Enhance Your CSA Experience
-By Yosef Camire
At Ahavah Farm, our commitment to enhancing your CSA experience goes beyond delivering exceptional produce. We understand that being part of a Community Supported Agriculture program means more than just receiving fresh vegetables—it's about fostering community and sharing knowledge.
One of the valuable resources available to our CSA members is our vibrant Facebook community group. This online platform serves as a hub for like-minded individuals who are passionate about local, sustainable farming and wholesome food. Here’s how you can leverage our Facebook group to enrich your CSA journey:
1. Carpooling Coordination: Reduce your carbon footprint and connect with neighbors by organizing carpooling groups for CSA pick-ups. Coordinate schedules and share rides to our farm, making your weekly pick-up a shared, community experience. Imagine only having to go to the CSA drop once per month? Organize three others in your neck of the woods and you can save tons of time!
2. Recipe Exchange: Our Facebook group is the perfect place to swap your favorite recipes and all the neat and cool ideas you come up with using your CSA shares. This is probably the most-common use of the group, but it's not utilized enough! The more people engaging in the group and the more community we will have.
3. Garden Tips and Troubleshooting: Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our Facebook group is a valuable resource for gardening advice. Share your successes, seek troubleshooting tips for common garden challenges, and learn from the expertise of fellow members and our farming team.
4. Community Support and Collaboration: Beyond vegetables, our CSA community is here to support each other. Share tips on sustainable living, discuss local events, or organize community projects that align with our values of purity, sustainability, and community support.
5. Stay Informed and Engaged: Most things are posted on our main page, but the really important and CSA relevant stuff is usually only posted in the group.
By actively participating in our Facebook group, you not only enhance your CSA experience but also contribute to a thriving community dedicated to local, sustainable agriculture. At Ahavah Farm, we believe in the power of community and the shared passion for pure, nutritious food. Join us on Facebook to connect, collaborate, and celebrate our commitment to Local - Sustainable - Pure (TM) agriculture.
Thank you for being part of our community and for your continued support of Ahavah Farm’s mission to provide the highest quality food while nurturing a strong, connected community. Together, we’re cultivating a healthier future for our families and our planet.
Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ahavahcommunity to join the group!
This Week's Harvest
As always, nothing is guaranteed. These are the items that are "in season" and are anticipated to be ready this week (which may or may not be available at the CSA).
Small = 4-6 items per week ($23.50/wk)
Medium = 7-9 items per week ($33.50/wk)
Large = 10-12 items per week ($43.50/wk)
Carrots - There's nothing better than a "Candy Carrot" from Ahavah Farm!
Swiss Chard - Swiss chard is one of our absolute favorite items to saute. We love to put this into a cast-iron skillet with loads of garlic, salt and perhaps a little oil and cook it well. It's to die for! Want some more ideas? Check out this article HERE.
Beets - ⭐Our featured vegetable of the week (SEE BELOW).
Cabbage Leaf Rolls - The best stuffed cabbage comes from the large outer leaves of the cabbages and they are delectable! Don't want to stuff them? That's ok, just chop them up and use them raw or sautéed in your favorite salad or dish. The cabbage flavor is sweet and abundant!
Radishes - Radishes can be enjoyed in numerous ways (and we have done them all): Raw: Add them to salads for a crunchy texture and peppery flavor or simply eat them like the old-timers by dipping them in salt (my personal favorite way). Pickled: Pickling radishes can enhance their flavor and add a tangy twist to dishes. Roasted: Roasting radishes mellows their sharpness and brings out a slightly sweet taste. Cooked in Soups or Stews: Radishes can be added to soups and stews for a unique flavor and added nutrition.
Dill - So much more than an herb to make pickles with! Dill can be used for many things. For one, Havah makes the most amazing dill dressing with fresh dill, flax seed oil, apple cider vinegar and garlic. Fresh dill is also amazing on potatoes and roasted veggies and there are many more ways to use fresh dill...and if you don't want it now, hang it upside down and dry it, then jar it and save it for the winter! Here is an article with 41 ways to use dill!
Parsley - a vibrant and nutrient-rich herb, adds a fresh and slightly peppery flavor to a variety of dishes. It’s commonly used in salads, soups, and sauces, or as a garnish to enhance both taste and presentation.
Arugula - A spicy green packed with unique flavor. Our favorite way to use the arugula is in an egg frittata, but you can use it any way you'd like - especially enjoyed raw in a salad.
Lettuce - Not much to say about lettuce, except that it is wonderful and fresh and delightful and all that stuff! We love it. It's light and fluffy and delicious!
Cabbage Heads - There really isn't much different between the leaves and the cabbage head themselves except the heads are typically stronger in flavor and more tender in texture. Best for cabbage salad and sauerkraut.
Squash - The trusty summer squash (trusty except in Colorado where hail is a real threat!). Some like it raw, but most like it baked, grilled, saute'd or even fried! Our favorite way? Grilled! Hands down, we love our squash grilled with a little bit of seasoning (or not!).
Onions - Red onions, fresh from the soil are amazing! Not normally available this time of year, we had to harvest them because they were getting destroyed by grasshoppers and we needed an item to fill the CSA's up this week too. So, they are a wonderful treat!
Sweet Turnips - By far, these are the most beloved vegetable we grow - I know, I know, it's a turnip...but is it really🤔!? No way is this a normal turnip! I'm telling you, if you have eaten them than you know, but if you haven't you will find out! Taste this amazingness raw - then, if you don't eat them all by the time you get home, then roasting them is our favorite way to eat them. We love to roast these turnips with garlic, or honey, or salt and pepper..but the truth? Raw...I'm telling you, the sweetness of these turnips is to die for! Our kids call them "Ground Ice Cream!"
Fennel - The fennel is one of our fan-favorites! Absolutely one of my most favorite raw veggies to chew on, I love just taking the greens and snacking on them for a fresh and clean feeling! DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that when you cook the fennel it changes flavor!? That's right, try it. Add some garlic and onions and whatever else and saute these beautiful bulbs for a delightful treat - or, better yet - DRY THEM! Hang those greens upside down and dry them and use them when you want to to add a wonderful flavor to pasta or salad! Need some help with creativity? TRY THESE RECIPES!
Living Herbs - We have tons of these beautiful herbs available - from mint, to basil, to chives, to marjoram...and more! - See our article on living herbs HERE.
Scallions -The whole scallion, from the root to the tip of the greens are not only edible, but DELICIOUS! Did you know that if you save those roots (about an inch above the bulb or so) and stick them in a glass of water you can grow new greens? It's true. Try it!
Red and Green Kales - The best tasting kale in the world! Great for soups and saute's, sure, but as a raw kale salad, massaged with tihini, nutz, cranberries and shredded carrots? It doesn't get any better. Then again, get creative...to help, click here are 30 ideas.
Cucumbers - The cucumbers are just getting started and oh, are they amazing! Smooth skinned tendergreen heirloom cucumbers have a taste unlike any other!
Dried Herbs - We have a mixture of dried herbs for you this week. We have dill, basil, mint and fennel.
Wheat Grass - Many of our members absolutely love our wheat grass and use it religiously. We hope you take the time to learn and enjoy this most amazingly nutritious green! Wheat grass is used mostly for juicing. However, I, Yosef (and many of our team members) love to use ian energy and nutrition
Radish Microgreens - Next to the barley grass and the sunshoots, radish microgreens are some of the most nutritiously-dense items we grow on the farm and not only that, but during our annual survey last year, they ranked as the #1 most requested and loved item we grow! They have a fantastic bite to them, last considerably long in the refrigerator and are beautiful in appearance.
Pea Shoots - One of the most desired and sought after items we provide are these pea shoots! Quite literally the best you added to any dish or salad. Our favorite way is to add them to stews and soups. A perfect topper too! Here are four fun ways to use Pea Shoots: http://blog.bostonorganics.com/4-fun-ways-to-use-pea-shootst
Broccoli Microgreens - Last week we told you that Radish Microgreens were the #1 most loved item we grow, well, these microgreens weren't on the list then! I have a sneaking suspicion that these microgreens are the real winners!
Sunshoots - Our sunshoots are certainly some of the nicest, most high-quality sunshoots you will ever find (that actually goes for all our microgreens). They are one of the most beloved items we grow as well and a regular staple to our CSA. Here are some ideas to use your sunnies this week: https://www.martinsgardenacf.com/sunflower-shoots-recipes
Veggie of the week!
Beets: A Nutrient-Packed Addition to Your Table
Beets, are some of our absolute favorite things to eat. In fact, our family eats beets at almost every meal. Havah will make a GIANT beet salad for Shabbat and we continue to work at this salad at most of our meals throughout the week. Our kids love them and out of all the salads we make, it's one of the top 3, for sure (though keep in mind, Havah makes lot's and lot's of salads!). Not only are they some of the most delicious vegetables we grow, but they are vibrant in color and grace our table with their beautiful eye-popping red (or orange!), and more importantly, they are a nutrient powerhouse! From the tops of their leafy greens to the bottoms of the sweet, juicy roots, every part of the beet offers a plethora of health benefits - and we use the whole plant, every time.
Beets are loaded with nutrition and are most notable for their antioxidants as well as their promotion of cardiovascular health and they are one of the leading nitrate-rich foods too! Of course, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals and are very high in vitamin k, folate, vitamin c and iron amongst many others.
Beets are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways, probably many more ways than you are aware. Here are some creative ways to incorporate beets into your meals:
1. Roasted Beet Salad: Roasting beets enhances their natural sweetness and brings out their earthy flavor. We enjoy roasted beets, especially as a medley, with carrots, turnips and radishes. You can add them to a leafy green salad, add cheese or nuts and use a vinegar -based dressing to enhance the flavor. Or, you can use something like honey to sweeten them up..better yet, stick with the simple salt, pepper and oil approach and you can't go wrong.
2. Beet Hummus: This is one that we haven't tried, but it's all over the internet and people tell me about it. The beets not only impart a vibrant hue but also add sweetness and depth of flavor to the hummus.
3. Beet Smoothie: As far as nutrients go, you can't get better than beets. Using them in smoothies, especially raw is one of the best ways to gain the most nutrition. Blend cooked or raw beets with fruits like berries, bananas, and oranges for a nutritious and energizing smoothie. You can also add leafy greens, Greek yogurt, and a splash of citrus juice for extra freshness.
4. Beet Risotto: Another internet favorite is the beet risotto. Again, another that we haven't tried yet, but I thought it would be beneficial to list here. Simply stir grated beets into creamy risotto for a hearty and satisfying meal. The beets lend a beautiful pink hue to the dish and infuse it with their unique flavor.
5. Beet Chips: We've done this both freeze-dried and baked and they are awesome! Slice beets thinly, toss them with olive oil and seasoning, and bake until crispy for a healthy alternative to potato chips. Beet chips make a delicious snack or crunchy topping for salads and soups.
Havah's Beet Salad
Ingredients:
10-12 Beets
1/4 Cup Flaxoil
1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 Red Onion
Garlic Gloves to Taste
Salt (optional)
Parsley
Sesame Seeds
Step 1: Roast the Beets (at 375 degrees) in a covered pot with about an inch of water on the bottom of the pot for about 45 minutes to an hour or longer - until they are fork tender.
Step 2: Peel the beets soon after roasting them and chop them (we like them small - 1/4inch) and once they are chopped, refrigerate them.
Step 3: Make the sauce by adding the flax oil, red wine vinegar, red onions and garlic gloves to a blender and puree.
Step 4: Toast the sesame seeds in a cast-iron pan.
Step 5: Add the sauce to the cold chopped beets and top with toasted sesame seeds and chopped parsley. Add salt, if needed and serve cold!
ENJOY!