Monday, April 28, 2014

And so it begins...

I love this time of year. It's the time of year when we are able to put all of the plans we made over the winter into action. Our seeds have been started in the greenhouse, we planned what we are going to plant in each field and now we wait for Mother Nature to be nice and let us get on the land.  So, while we wait for that opportunity we check on our Rhubarb to see how it's coming up, we prune our Raspberries and monitor new growth and we take the protective layer of straw off of our Strawberries. Depending on the weather, I would say that our Rhubarb will be ready by the middle of May or so. Asparagus will also be ready soon too. We don't have the right soil to grow asparagus so we support local growers from the Aylmer area to supply our market.

Click on the link below to find out when your favourite fruits and vegetables are ready
http://www.ontario.ca/foodland/availability-guide

Asparagus has an unique taste and I love it! You can prepare it so many different ways. Steamed, sauteed, roasted, boiled and my favourite - grilled!

You don't need a recipe for this.

Toss your Asparagus in a really good Olive Oil, then put it on the grill. I like to cook my meat first, then just slide it over to one side of the barbecue, reduce the heat and then place my Asparagus down. The Asparagus will pick up the juices from the meat. Once the Asparagus has turned in colour, you know that bright green colour, you can take it off. It will be done just right, you don't want to over cook it. Plate your Asparagus, drizzle some Balsamic Vinegar, Sea Salt & Black Pepper on it. Top it off with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese. If you don't have the fresh grated that is ok, just use what you have.  It is soooooo tasty, you might not even eat you meat!

Click on the link below for some awesome recipes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/28/asparagus-recipes_n_1375346.html

That's all for now, in my next post I will share some tasty Rhubarb recipes.
Have a great day:)


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Perfect Wedding Gift!

You're Invited! Someone you love is getting married. Woooohoooo! The invitation just came in the mail and you've already filled out the R.S.V.P and told them you're coming. In the back of your head you have already planned a shopping trip to look for the perfect wedding gift. STOP! Let me help you. Let me help you give the Bride & Groom the gift of Local Goodness.  I can't think of a better gift. The deadline to purchase a Talbotville Berry Farm Market - Style CSA Program (Option 1 or Option 2) is April 30th. The newlyweds will be able to use their Gift Cards to purchase anything that we sell, at our On-Farm Market or at our table at the Horton Farmers Market on Saturday's 8a-12p. If you've got a group going in on the gift together Option 2 is perfect, it will cost you $500 but we will load your card with $600.  Call me (Shirley) today 519.615.1164.



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Bring it on!

It seems like before we even close down our on-farm market for the winter we are already planning for the next season.  Thinking about what we did that went over well during the season and what we could do to make it even better in the upcoming season.  We talk about produce our customers ask about and want.

One thing everyone was asking about last year was Kale.  We didn't grow it ourselves but got it in from another local grower.  We already grow a huge variety of produce here on our farm and I know that it is a huge responsibility for Gerry - but I talked him into growing a few new items this year.... And, you guessed it, we have added Kale and Romaine Lettuce.  So get ready to make your green smoothies.


 Leave us a comment and let us know if you think we should open at 8am instead of 9am so we can serve you a Green Smoothie on your way to work:)


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Ontario Farm Fresh Founding Member


My Dad was one of the founding members of the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association.  The 35th Anniversary was February 2008. Unfortunately, he passed in January 2008. He would have been so proud to walk up with the rest of the guys and be recognized at the award ceremony.

It is an honor for us to hang this plaque in our market. We are proud of who he was and what he stood for.




This is what the original Ontario Farm Fresh advertising looked like. And, yes, I have this hanging in my market too:)