May 15th, 2024 - SPRING CSA Season Week 7
What's Inside This Week?
👉*NEW* - Monthly Giveaway!
👉This Week's Article Part 2: "Preserving Heritage with Heirloom Seeds"
👉Featured Gardening Tip of the Week: NEW VIDEO SERIES: "Tools For Your Garden"
👉*NEW FEATURE* - CSA Tip of the Week
👉*NEW* - Upcoming schedule of events for May and June
👉*NEW* - Event Day Look Ahead
👉Special Offer for our Summer Members!
👉*NEW* - Must-Read Announcements
👉Featured Vendor of the Week: "Jr J's Freeze Dried Treats"
👉*NEW*-Farmer's Market Update - First Outdoor Market of the Year!
👉Featured Vegetable: "Beets - A Nutrient Packed Addition to Your Table" W/ Havah's Beet Salad Recipe!
👉*NEW* Also: Don't miss our "Around the Farm" this week, our announcements, our "Weekly Harvest List" and more!
Dear FARMILY!
I hope this finds you all doing absolutely wonderful and looking forward to, what appears to be a beautiful week! Are we passed the windy mess? I sure hope so, and that's what the forecast seems to tells us, which is very hopeful and exciting. As you know, the weather has been very cold, below freezing lately. This has hampered the growth of our crops, so perhaps it's best to expect slightly smaller CSA shares for the next two weeks as we catch back up, but you never know - things have been beautiful and appear to want to continue, so we will see! As for this week's CSA share it's going to be AWESOME! See details below...
THIS WEEK'S CSA
As mentioned above, this week's CSA share is going to be amazing - the best of the year so far! Of course, the carrots this week are going to be stunning, but we have an even greater highlight for you this week - BEETS! Beautiful beets are going to be gracing your table this week as well as our beautiful carrots, lettuce, turnips and so much more!
Of course we will have more than just those items listed above, so please refer to both the "This Week's Harvest" and the "What's in your Bag" sections this week to get all the details.
FARMER'S MARKET
We are super excited about our Farmer's Market this week as it will be the very first OUTDOOR market of the year! The weather is supposed to be gorgeous, in the 70's with lots of sun and minimal wind - thank goodness!
We also have a lot of events happening this week with our Homeschool Day, our fun activities and even an adult education class with Mark Robinson, farmer at Greenhill farm and former intern at Ahavah Farm! 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 week's newsletter is loaded with lots of goodies! It's another great newsletter with a second of our new video-series in the "Gardening Tip of the Week" section as we continue to explore the different tools you should use in your garden and how to use them! We also have a fantastic second part to our "Article of the Week" section titled "Preserving Heritage With Heirloom Seeds," and "The Veggie of the Week," section is going to be on beets and will Havah's special Beet Salad recipe!
I know you will enjoy this week's newsletter and if you do, can you please spread the word and also send us some feedback to let us know you enjoyed it!
Summer Season is Coming Soon!
Summer season will be upon is before you know it and we still have plenty of spots available! If you haven't signed up, don't wait until it's too late or you will miss out on the freshest, purest, most-sustainably raised crops you will find! Spread the word and let your neighbors and friends know and you will both receive $25.00 to spend! Sign up today at ahavahfarm.com/csa.
We love you all, our beautiful FaRmily!!!
Farmer Yosef and Family!
WE L❤️VE OUR COMMUNITY!
🚨🚨ATTENTION COMMUNITY! PLEASE READ!🚨🚨
The Ahavah Community Initiative (501c3) board has met this week and we have approved the Summer CSA FREE membership applications and there were a total of 43 memberships that were approved!!
We are so honored to be able to help out our community in this way, and we simply could not turn down these members! HOWEVER, the budget for these 43 memberships will be a total of almost $22,000 and our current bank account only has almost $5,000.00 to go toward these applications. We approved the memberships on faith that our community will not only come together and support these hurting families, but will also spread the word and work hard to get this food paid for so we can continue to provide for our community in this way! PLEASE, with all of our hearts we plead with you to help these struggling families! DONATE TODAY AND SPREAD THE WORD! We can't thank you enough and we KNOW you will come through and help!
100% of every penny donated to this campaign will go STRAIGHT and only to these local community families. Please consider a donation today!
👩🌾Around the Farm This Week👩🌾
👈👇TREES, TREES and MORE TREES! This amazing team of volunteers, Simcha and Charles have done the most amazing job ever on planting trees over the last few months! Not only have all the trees been propagated by them over the winter, from our current trees, but they have been planting them EVERYWHERE! By the end of this week they will have planted about 100 trees and we still have a few hundred to go! Great work team!!!
👉BEETS are coming this week! We have red beets and golden beets this week and they are beautiful! One of our absolute favorite things to eat, beets are a nutrient powerhouse and are the vegetable of the week. Be sure to check out the "Veggie of the Week" section below to find recipes and ideas on how to enjoy our amazing beets!
👈Part of the no-dig, no-till bed "turnover" process is to ensure the seedbed is nice and flat and ready to be seeded. We do this by "ROLLING" the bed. Here is Aiden using the bed roller, weighted down with cinder blocks.
👉Oh, we feel so loved! Can you believe that our little 'ole Ahavah Farm has 6,000 people that have "Liked" our page over the years!? Amazing! If you don't follow us on Facebook, and you haven't liked our page yet, what are you waiting for!? Go to www.facebook.com/ahavahfarm to give us some love!
👈The carrots this week are AMAZING! Here is your's truly, giving you a big smile because I love you all so much! Thank you for being a part of our FaRmily and for supporting our farm!
👇The gardens are looking amazing all over the farm! Here is a pretty picture from hoophouse N6 with swiss chard, scallions, kohlrabi, cilantro, arugula, turnips and mustard greens.
ARE YOU SIGNED UP FOR SUMMER YET!?
Please don't wait until the last minute to sign up. The sooner you sign up, the better the farm can prepare!
💥With a Special Offer For Summer Members (SEE BELOW👇!!)💥
...and don't miss out on our REFER A FRIEND program to earn $25.00 for both YOU & a FRIEND!
If you are looking for the freshest, purest and most nutrient-dense vegetables you can this Summer, then you don't want to miss the Ahavah Farm CSA Veggie-Share! 16 weeks of the best veggies you can find. It's going to be an AWESOME year!
Go to www.ahavahfarm.com/csa to register for our Spring & Summer 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, COS, DEN 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!
‼️🛑STOP - Please do not miss this section🛑‼️
⚠️ATTENTION MEMBERS! Please share this information with your friends and family members! ⚠️
EATING HEALTHY SHOULD NOT BE A STRUGGLE!
Dear Friends, we first want to say a very big THANK YOU to all of our supporters and friends! We know that supporting local is not always the easiest, but because of our dedicated supporters and members we are able to continue to serve our community after ten years and we are more grateful to you than any words could ever express!
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!😁
Weekly Farmer's Market Update
Ahavah Community Indoor / Outdoor Farmer's Market
Every Friday from 10am to 1pm!
It's going to be an amazing market this week! Our FIRST outdoor market will be happening this Friday from 10am to 1pm and it's going to not only be a beautiful day, and not only will we be loaded with lots of vendors, but we are jam-packed with events! It's homeschool day on the farm with activities and zip-line rides, we have a tour scheduled AND we have a class on Composting by farmer Mark Robinson from Greenhill Farm (and former intern here at Ahavah Farm!).
The market's have been amazing lately and this week should be no different! We have a lineup you can't ignore with everything you will need! This week we will have the following vendors:
✅Ahavah Farm-Beyond Organic Veggies 🥕
✅The Sourdough Boulangerie 🥖
✅Good Shephard Coffee Roasters ☕
✅Rohi Ranch - Goat Milk Soap & More 🧼
✅Simply Blessed Boutique-Crafts & More 🏺
✅Robynne's One Stitch at a Time🧸
✅CC's Tamales🫔
✅Scent Together - Candles 🕯️
✅Minions Ranch - Grassfed and Pastured Meats and Eggs 🥩
✅What's Your Bag? 🛍️
✅Soccer Shots - Soccer Lessons and Activities⚽
✅Jr Js Freeze Dried Treats 🍭
✅Garza Farm - Pickles and More 🥒
✅Ahavah Farm Nursery 🪴
✅The Chicken Math Professor - Hatching eggs and chicks 🐣
🥕🥬🌱Vegetables at the Farmer's Market this week
(May 17th)
✅Beets ✅Radishes ✅Cilantro ✅Turnips ✅Carrots ✅Lettuce ✅Red and Green Kale ✅Walking Onions ✅Mustard Greens ✅Chives ✅Scallions ✅Honey ✅Fennel ✅Swiss Chard ✅Dried Herbs ✅Duck Eggs
✅Living Plants (basil, cilantro, mint, succulents and MANY more) ✅Pea Shoots ✅Sunflower Shoots ✅Radish Microgreens ✅Broccoli Microgreens ✅Wheat Grass
(For CSA location "extras", please see below in the "Extra Vegetables section)
PLANTS!!! We got 'em!
👆DON'T MISS OUR AMAZING SELECTION OF GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD PLANTS!!!!🌻🌸🪴
TOMATOES, PEPPERS, GREENS, CUCUMBERS, SQUASH, HERBS AND A BUNCH MORE!
EVENTS - A LOOK AHEAD!
Not only can you look forward to an awesome Farmer's Market every Friday, here at the farm from 10a to 1p, but we nearly always have something else awesome happening too! From homeschool days, tours, classes and other events you can count on having a great time out at the farm! This week is going to be jam-packed as we have two big events happening in addition to a loaded Farmers Market! This week you can look forward to bringing your kids out to the farm for our exciting Homeschool Day! Homeschooled or not, bring your kids out to have fun and learn! We will have the bounce-house and playground available (as always), and we will have a tour of the farm, a cool soccer activity with the "Soccer Shots" a local soccer company, and we will also be offering FREE ZIPLINE RIDES! In addition to our awesome Homeschool Day, we will also be having an awesome Composting Basic 101 class from Mark Robinson, farmer at Greenhill Farm and former intern at Ahavah Farm, starting at 10am. If you haven't registered for this class, do so by e-mailing Beth at contact@ahavahfarm.com! It's going to be an awesome one!
*NEW* - MAY 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!
SHARE OUR NEWSLETTER AND GET $3.00 TO SPEND!
GETTING A FEW BUCKS TO SPEND AT ANY OF OUR LOCAL CSA LOCATIONS OR OUR FARMER'S MARKET HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER!
IF YOU LOVE AHAVAH FARM AND WANT TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD, SIMPLY SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
WHEN YOU CHECK OUT AT ANY OF OUR LOCATIONS SHOW US THAT YOU SHARED THE NEWSLETTER AND AUTOMATICALLY RECIEVE $3.00 TO SPEND!🤩
📢FEATURED VENDOR OF THE WEEK!📢
Jr J's Freeze Dried Treats
If you are looking for a sweat treat on a Friday afternoon, Jr J's Freeze Dried Treats has you covered! Their freeze dried treats have been an absolute hit at the market over the last few weeks and we sure are happy to have them as some of our most awesome vendors!
From freeze-dried jolly-ranchers, to skittles, starburst and so many more varieties, if you have never had freeze-dried candies, you are missing out! They are a ton of fun, delicious and a unique treat that you won't find anywhere else!
Jr J's also offer gift baskets, so be sure to get your orders in for Father's Day! You can follow them on 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.
Article of the Week
"Preserving Heritage With Heirloom Seeds - Part 2
By Yosef Camire
This is the SECOND part of the article titled "Preserving Heritage With Heirloom Seeds." I hope you enjoy the article, but if you haven't read part one, I highly recommend doing so! YOU CAN FIND PART ONE BY CLICKING HERE.
The Importance of Heirloom Seeds in Sustainable Agriculture:
In today's world you can't turn a corner without hearing about our climate and environmental emergencies. The environmental challenges that we are facing today are unparalleled in human history, mostly due to the way we humans have treated our planet. It's a sad reality that we are living in, but instead of sitting idly by, there are ways that we can make a difference and one of those ways is through our agricultural practices (dare I say, the largest impact we can make is by this means). In many articles in the past I have written about this very thing and have made emphasis on the usage of tractors, on the benefits of no-till agricultural, on the importance of our irrigation systems and, of course on chemical agriculture and it's impact on our planet and health. In this article (and in part 1), I want to focus on heirloom seeds. That's right, the very seeds that we choose to use not only impacts the beauty of our tables and the flavor on our palate, but may be vital to our world.
Here are some ways in which heirloom seeds contribute to sustainable agriculture:
Conservation of biodiversity: Heirloom seeds represent a plethora of genetic diversity which is essential for the resilience and adaptability of agricultural ecosystems. By cultivating heirloom varieties, farmers and gardeners help preserve rare and endangered plant species, safeguarding biodiversity for future generations. Biodiversity, or course, is critical to our ecosystem: from our water sources, to our insects and mammals as well as to our air quality, pollination and pollution of various systems.
Climate Resilience: Heirloom varieties are often well-adapted to local growing conditions, making them more resilient in the face of climate challenges like drought, increased temperatures or even wetter and colder conditions (as our farm has recently been experiencing over the past few years). Heirloom varieties' genetic diversity allows them to thrive in a host of environmental conditions and also helps them to thrive against the challenges of pests and diseases, reducing the reliance on chemical inputs and promoting ecological balance.
Cultural Preservation: Heirloom seeds are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and agricultural practices (as mentioned in part one) passed down through generations. By preserving heirloom varieties, we honor the wisdom of our ancestors and celebrate the cultural diversity of food and agriculture.
Seed Sovereignty: Heirloom seeds empower farmers and gardeners to reclaim control over their food supply and seed sovereignty. Unlike commercial seeds controlled by multinational corporations, heirloom seeds can be saved, shared, and exchanged freely within communities, promoting self-reliance and resilience in the face of globalized food systems.
Taste and Nutrition: As mentioned, the palate is an intriguing characteristic on our behavior and heirloom varieties support our palate by giving us exceptional culinary experiences. Heirloom varieties are renowned for their exceptional flavor and nutritional quality, offering a vegetable experience that is unmatched by mass-produced commercial crops. By supporting heirloom agriculture, consumers not only savor the unique tastes of heritage varieties but also reap the health benefits of nutrient-dense foods.
Cultivating Heirloom Seeds
For gardeners and farmers interested in cultivating heirloom seeds, here are some practical tips to get started:
Choose Authentic Heirloom Varieties: When selecting heirloom seeds, look for reputable seed companies and heritage seed savers who specialize in preserving and promoting authentic heirloom varieties. You can find heirloom varieties as most of the major seed retailers, but we recommend Baker Creek and Eden Brothers for the best choice and price, but we also sell seeds that we have saved and you are more than welcome to reach out to us for those as well.
Practice Seed Saving: Learn the art of seed saving and preservation to perpetuate heirloom varieties in your garden or farm. Follow proper techniques for harvesting, drying, and storing seeds to ensure viability and longevity. Participate in seed swaps and exchanges to share heirloom seeds with fellow growers and expand the diversity of your seed collection.
Support Seed Stewardship Organizations: Get involved with seed stewardship organizations and grassroots initiatives dedicated to preserving heirloom seeds and promoting seed sovereignty. There are so many local garden clubs in the area, including our favorite, the Falcon Community Garden Club (whom have been donors of Ahavah Community Initiative for some years now). Volunteer at seed libraries, community gardens, or heritage seed banks to contribute to the conservation and dissemination of heirloom varieties as at all of these organizations you are bound to find plenty of like-minded people excited about sharing and saving these seeds.
Embrace Diversity: Experiment with a wide range of heirloom varieties to discover unique flavors, textures, and growing habits. Celebrate the diversity of heirloom seeds by cultivating a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs in your garden or farm. Permaculture gardens are fantastic for this, as the mixed varieties tend to assist in nutrient cooperation between the plants as well as biological cooperation - both increase the resilience of the plants further contributing to the success of your garden.
Share Your Harvest: Share the abundance of your heirloom harvest with friends, family, neighbors, and local communities. Host seed-saving workshops, garden tours, or farm-to-table events to educate others about the importance of heirloom seeds and sustainable agriculture...or just send 'em our way and we will do the rest😉!
Heirloom seeds are more than just a means of sustenance—they are a living legacy that connects us to our agricultural heritage, cultural traditions, and the natural world. As stewards of the land, it is our responsibility to preserve and protect these precious seeds for future generations. By cultivating heirloom varieties, we celebrate the diversity of life, promote ecological resilience, and honor the timeless wisdom of the cultures and peoples who have gone before us. Where heirloom seeds continue to flourish, they will be one of the sustaining and enriching factors of our lives for generations to come.
Ahavah Community Upcoming Schedule
UPCOMING EVENTS
👉May 17th @ 10am: ADULT EDUCATION! Composting 101 w/ Farmer Mark Robinson. Email Beth at contact@ahavahfarm.com
👉May 17th @ 10am - 1pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉May 24th @ 10am - 1pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉May 26th @ 5pm to 7pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Lag B'Omer Event with Bonfire!
👉May 31st @ 10am - 1pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉May 31st @ 10am: KIDS CLASS! The Wonderful World of Bees! Ages 5+
Go to www.ahavahfarm.com/classes to learn more, to register and to see the rest of our schedule of events and classes!
👉June 7th @ 10am - 1pm: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉June 7th @ 10am: ADULT EDUCATION! Grow Your Own w/ Lorin Mattemore. Email Beth at contact@ahavahfarm.com
👉June 10th @ 10am: SUMMER CSA MEETING! LIVE Preseason Meeting for Ahavah Farm Summer CSA w/ Yosef and Havah Camire in the Facebook Community Group.
🥕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 (Week 7):
(see Farmer's Market Section, above, for market selection this week)
✅Lettuce ✅Carrots ✅Turnips ✅Dried Herbs ✅Cilantro ✅Radishes ✅Redbor Kale ✅Walking Onions ✅Swiss Chard ✅Fennel ✅Chives ✅Living Plants (basil, cilantro, mint, succulents and more) ✅Pea Shoots ✅Sunflower Shoots ✅Radish Microgreens ✅Broccoli 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.
"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 at least one dollar 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!🙏
Video Series:
"Tools For Your Garden."
- By Yosef Camire
Welcome to our Gardening Tip of the Week w/ Farmer Yosef of Ahavah Farm. In this series we discuss "Tools for Your Garden" with practical tools you can use in the garden and show you what they are, why they are important, and how we use them. Enjoy!
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 Jessie 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?
SPRING Week 7 - May 15th
CSA MEMBERSHIP SAVINGS THIS SEASON*:
AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERS:
👏SMALL +15.42% 👏MEDIUM +22.77%👏26.6%
NON-AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERS:
👏SMALL +10.42% 👏MEDIUM +17.77%👏21.6%
*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 - Week 7
Beets, Carrots, Lettuce, Red Kale, Radishes, Turnips, Mustard, Scallions, Walking Onions, Fennel, Chives, Dried herbs, Plants, Sunflower Shoots, Pea Shoots, Broccoli Microgreens, Radish Microgreens, Wheat Grass
CSA Tip of the Week!
HOLDS, CREDITS and DOUBLE SHARES
One of the things that makes our CSA special is that we offer you to place a "HOLD" and to
receive a "CREDIT" for a "DOUBLE SHARE." Follow these steps if you are going on vacation or taking a week off from CSA.
1. Email your request to place a hold to contact@ahavahfarm.com NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE HOLD. This lets us know not to harvest as much that week.
2. Enjoy your vacation (or other reason for taking the week off).
3. When you are ready for your "DOUBLE SHARE" you must e-mail contact@ahavahfarm.com to place your request NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON THE SUNDAY BEFORE YOU WANT TO RECIEVE THE DOUBLE. This lets us know we need to harvest a little more that week.
4. Enjoy your double share.
NOTES and RESTRICTIONS: If you request a double share, there is a possibility that we may request a different week due to one reason or another. Double-shares are USE-IT or LOSE-IT if you are not an auto renewal member. They ONLY roll over to a new season if you are signed up for our auto renewal program.
Please note that there is a maximum of 1 credit to be used per week (no triple shares), and depending on the season, credits are not guaranteed.
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)
Red and Golden Beets - Our Veggie of the Week (See Below).
Sweet Baby Carrots - Only the sweetest, most delectable carrots you have ever tasted! Be careful not to eat these too fast!!!
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.
Fennel - The fennel is back and 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!
Garlic Chives - These little chives are incredible! With a hint of garlic and a hint of onions, chop them up and add them to...EVERYTHING! Salads, sandwiches, to top soups, you name it - these add a flavor like nothing else!
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.
Walking Onions- With a little more kick than the scallions, you don't need as much of these greens, and unlike the scallions, these do not include the roots. So use them and enjoy! Just like any other green onion you can chop these greens up on salads, on sandwiches, into sauces....everywhere and on everything 😋!
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!
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!"
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 love 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 as
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!
⚠ ⚠ ⚠ BAGS! We need your bags (PLEASE🙏) !!⚠ ⚠ ⚠
Thank you everyone for recycling your LARGE bags with us! When we receive your bags we immediately quarantine them for 2 weeks before reusing them to ensure they are safe of any yuckies. Thank you for bringing them and any others you may have (we need any large PAPER-ONLY grocery bags you may have) THANK YOU!
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