Thank you for a fabulous season!

It's been wonderful to have your support this year. BOCA loves you! We'll be in touch!

Today's harvest:

Butternut

Greens

Eggplant

Squash

A few roots

Frog's Leap Persimmons and Pom's

PYO Herbs..and more! 

Jorge has done an incredible job this season. His hard work, focus and sensitivity when handling our lil veggies contribute greatly to our success, and I wanted to acknowledge him for his efforts this season. Jorge grew up farming in  Mexico, and it's obviously in his blood. When we work side by side, Jorge will complete about 3x the amount of work I can... within any timeframe. I greatly appreciate his hard work. 

TODAY's HARVEST

greens

a few tomatoes and peppers

Cinderella Pumpkins!

root veggies: beets and turnips

Kales

a few squash

FROG'S LEAP Persimmons 

As the farm winds down and heads back into its quieter dormant state, I wanted to remind each of you of the bounty of this season, and the glory of the swing of the 18 weeks we've been together at the farm.

Future Farmers in action? Maybe/probably not! But hopefully the experience and satisfaction of harvesting food in the sunshine, of the open space and colors and smells, the delicious flavors from the field, will stick with these kids for years to come.

Today's Harvest:

MORE MINI GOURDS!

Blue Hubbard Squash

Kales

Chard

Lettuces

Roots

Late Season Tomatoes!

Peppers

and more!

PYO HERBS!

We're in that sweet moment of chilly mornings and scorching afternoons.

Notice how our fruits (tomatoes, especially) are more concentrated and flavorful at this time of year! Their skins are becoming more thin, so it's a PERFECT time to make sauce.

Here is a photo from pre sunrise this morning:

Today's Harvest

Tomatoes

Peppers

Butternut and Spaghetti Squash

Sugar Pie Pumpkins!

Kales

Roots

and more

Pick your own HERBS!

Recipes:

late summer bruscetta

butternut ideas...

It's wild that we're 3/4 through our season. With this recent wild rain and hail, the farm has really transformed into a fall landscape. See below...

Below is a report about the essentiality of small-scale farming, thanks to BOCA member Beth Mattei.

As reported by N. Meyer at HealthWorks and other news outlets in Dec. 2013:
U.N. Report Says Small-Scale Organic Farming Only Way to Feed the World

Quoting from the article: "Even as the United States government continues to push for the use of more chemically-intensive and corporate-dominated farming methods such as GMOs and monoculture-based crops, the United Nations is once against sounding the alarm about the urgent need to return to (and develop) a more sustainable, natural and organic system.

That was the key point of a new publication from the UN Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) titled“Trade and Environment Review 2013: Wake Up Before It’s Too Late: Make Agriculture Truly Sustainable Now for Food Security and a Changing Climate,” which included contributions from more than 60 experts around the world."

Here is one key message of the report:
"The world needs a paradigm shift in agricultural development: from a "green revolution" to an "ecological intensification" approach:
This implies a rapid and significant shift from conventional, mono-culture-based and high-external-input-dependent industrial production towards mosaics of sustainable, regenerative production systems that also considerably improve the productivity of small-scale farmers.  We need to see a move from a linear to a holistic approach in agricultural management, which recognizes that a farmer is not only a producer of agricultural goods, but also a manager of an agro-ecological system that provides quite a number of public goods and services (e.g. water, soil, landscape, energy, biodiversity, and recreation."

Here is a link to the article, which also includes links to the report and other resources:
http://www.technologywater.com/post/69995394390/un-report-says-small-scale-organic-farming-only-way-to

It is nice to be a part of the small-scale organic solution by supporting BOCA's CSA program!  

Please share this report with interested policy makers, scientists, farmers, teachers, friends and family you may know.

This Week's harvest:

Potatoes

Greens

Peppers

Spaghetti Squash

Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes

Beets

Lettuces

and more!

PYO HERBS!

Now that the school year has started I don't get to spend as much time out at the farm as I wish I could! The days are literally becoming too short.

Tomato Mania!!! Whoohoo!

Well, it FINALLY happened! We're buried in tomatoes. Much later than ever before! Thanks to all for your patience :-D

One of the delights of being a CSA gardener is the unpredictable nature of each season, and the exciting challenges that arise from things being different every year.
I think that reveling in that notion is my theme this year!

And I'm lucky that as a CSA, all of you wonderful people are along for the ride no matter what. It wouldn't be as much of a delight if I were relying on the $ from selling tomatoes at the market, for example. So thank you for your patience and support!

Truly, it's been a fundamentally different year. Toms took forever to ripen. Winter squash showed up earlier. Melons were more tasty than ever.

Me and many of my farmer friends rely on all kinds of methods and techniques to boost our gardens each year: planting by the moon cycle with biodynamics, or different seed starter mixes, and applications of various organic fertilizers. There are variables and inputs that we can obviously control, but being open and patient about all the unknowns and unexpected and inevitable variations from what I, in my 5 years growing consider "normal" is always a challenge. A lot like teaching- we can curate situations and challenges and provide resources and support... But as much as we want to control the educational outcomes of our students' learning, there are delightful suprises, new challenges, unique perspectives that push us to be nimble and flexible every day. 

FRESH SAUCE

FRESH SAUCE II

FRESH SAUCE III

Lasagna...tart

lil sammies

Today's Harvet

Leeks

Tomatoes

Greens: Kales

Spaghetti Squash

Sweet lil peppers

Bell Peppers

Beets

and more!

PYO Herbs, Dahlias

Last week we sent you home with a few ears of heirloom corn...A friend told me that she thought her corn needed "braces," which I found hilarious. She was of course referring to the fact that on her ear of corn a bunch of kernals were simply missing, and the rows of kernals weren't straight. I am happy that our first ever round of yellow corn was a success, and athough the heirloom corn was less consistent and "normal" looking, I thought it was a good reminder of both the challenges and possibilities in organic corn production. Across the board, heirloom seeds produce the most interesting and flavorful results, but in terms of consistent production, modern, organic hybrids are the way to go. A few of you may remember when BOCA was planted with mostly heirloom seed...the veggies were interesting, yet our production was inconsistent. That's not to say that propagation and sustaining of heirloom seed isn't extremely important... the balancing act between viable, non-GMO and healthy seed and consistent/abundant production is a real challenge! Head to the Heirloom Expo this week to learn more! 

One can't think of organic corn production without wondering about issues relating to GE / GMO's...our shareholder Beth Mattei has shared thoughts on GE Foods.

I was delighted when Lizzie invited any of us to submit to the newsletter. I had thought of writing a poem one day while picking flowers at BOCA and submitting it, and perhaps I will, but today I feel I have a more important item to convey.  I have been spending the last few years doing what I can to help raise my own and others' awareness of the risks of genetically engineered foods.  I feel the BOCA newsletter would be one more logical place to do that and I am grateful for the opportunity.  

I am on so many organization's email lists receiving  updates and information about GE foods that I am having a hard time at this moment to offer just one item for your consideration so as not to overwhelm you.  Ultimately, I am choosing this link to offer you as it is well-organized, easy to use, easy to digest, and done by authors that I feel are credible.  It is entitled, "GMO Myths and Truths: An Evidence-Based Examination of the Claims Made for the Safety and Efficacy of Genetically Engineered Crops".  Here is a link to the report:
http://foodfreedomgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/GMO_Myths_and_Truths-2012.pdf

By way of background, I first heard about GE foods from a former farmer at Copia but didn't pay serious attention to them until my spiritual teacher from India happened to give his insights into the many levels of disharmony these foods create on human cognition, health, the environment, etcetera.  I have since spent countless hours reading studies, watching documentaries, attending lectures, and advocating for GE food labeling via Prop 37 in CA, I522 in Washington state and in the recent attempt to pass a labeling law in the CA state legislature.  FYI: I am not an "anti-science" person and I do my best to keep an open mind towards this issue.  What I have found repeatedly, first hand, is that many people accept as fact the claims made by the industry which makesbillions off these products and who pour tens of millions into pro-GMO PR campaigns while ignoring factual evidence disproving these assertions.  The organic farmers, consumers, mothers, concerned scientist, etcetera who typically make up those with legitimate misgivings about GE crops may not be well funded, but we are doing our best to get the word out to those who are open to listening.  

I may be preaching to choir, but perhaps if we forward these types of information to our friends, family members and associates who may be unaware, we can be of benefit to their health and the health of our food supply and our environment.  Thank you!

Beth Mattei
b_mattei@msn.com
p.s.  If you want to take real world action on this issue: Oregon currently has a proposition on its ballot that would require labeling of Genetically engineered foods in the state.  If you would like to learn more about Prop 92 and possibly donate, volunteer or help spread the word, go to 
http://oregonrighttoknow.org/

THANK You BETH!!

Today's Bounty:

Tomatoes

Peppers

Eggplant

Kales

The little acts of kindness that have been occuring since the quake have been delightful, like little sprouts shooting out of the fractured earth. The multitudes of aftershocks and dramatic aftermath, both physical and emotional, have been overwhelming, but the care and generosity that are spreading is remarkable! 

I heard so many of you expressing how happy you were that when many groceries were closed that you had a farm to get food! Some also mentioned that the routine of coming to BOCA was helpful and calming! Happy to be here for you all.

I greatly appreciate Carrie Strohl's idea to have a donation box for the food bank at BOCA. Please look for her setup and donate your unwanted items to the food bank!

Here are 2 simple, late summer ideas...

Ratatouille

Stuffed Peppers with good stuff

Still feeling shaken up? How about a cocktail...

Lillet-Basil Cocktail

Aperol Spritz

build in an ice-filled glass
2 oz Aperol
3-4 oz dry Prosecco
1 oz Club Soda
Garnish with an orange wheel

In today's box..

Tomatoes

Sweet Peps

Hot Peps

Summer Squash

A few Cukes

Potatoes

Corn

Leeks

And More~

I hope all of you are safe and sound and picking up the pieces after Saturday night's shaker. i must say that I was absoultely disoriented and terrified, and am very grateful that both home and office are pretty much fine. I have been out to BOCA a few times these past few days. It is wonderful to have a place that is absolutely earthquake safe, so beautiful, and peaceful. I hope you all can find peace in our farm community and open space tomorrow!

Here are a few recipes for sweet treats, as I think we all should treat ourselves after this weekend's trauma!

Strawberries and Cream! 

Peach Pehh

Berry Scones with creme fraiche and lavender

Amazing Vegan banana sundaes

blueberry & rosemary brown butter bundt cake

Community Blogger!

One of our members, Lauren Asher, has shared the following about her life and practice. Note the discount for BOCA members. Enjoy!

Hi, my name is Lauren Asher and I am a member of BOCA.  I just opened up my own Therapeutic Bodywork business in Napa at REV Yoga (301 Post Street off of Silverado Trail) and wanted to tell you a bit about myself and my work (and the discount I will be offering for BOCA members for through September 2014) 

As I child I was quite active, taking jazz, ballet and modern dance classes throughout middle school and high school.  With knees predisposed to injury, I needed regular maintenance to stay out of pain and began to see a Rolfer in high school.  It was through those sessions that I first became interested in bodywork and its healing potential.  After graduating from Connecticut College with a BA in Cultural Anthropology and a Minor in Dance, I moved to Davis, California in 2012 took the 100-hour introductory Massage Therapy course at Massage Therapy Institute in Davis.  Afterwards I continued on with an 100 hours of training in a variety of areas with classes such as Acupressure, Chair Massage, Cranial Sacral Balancing, Massage for Seniors and Myofascial Release.  After my 200 hours of training I began working at a locally owned and operated therapeutic bodywork business in Woodland.  Spring of 2013 I moved to the Napa Valley and continue with my training, taking Neuro Muscular Therapy courses and honing my bodywork expertise through my experience with a variety of clients needing help with various injuries. 

I now have a total of 264 hours of training.  I specialize in therapeutic bodywork for injury rehabilitation and prevention.  Therapeutic bodywork is a manual therapy using massage techniques (Deep Tissue, Cross Fiber Friction, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy) to address specific muscular problems.  I work together with my clients to aid them through the healing process, to alleviate pain, discomfort or hindrance of motion that may be occurring due to injury and/or predisposition from repetitive use.  In addition I practice full-body Deep Tissue and Swedish massage, which increase circulation and decrease muscle fatigue.  I offer three types of sessions, 75 minute ($85) therapeutic full body (or specified areas) massage with a focus on one or two areas, 45 minute ($55) ‘targeted’ therapeutic session ideal for ‘problem’ areas that need attention and a 55 minute ($65) relaxation massage.  Appointments are available online through REVyoga.com or by phone (707) 266-6114.  For the next two weeks (through the end of September) I am offering a $15 discount to BOCA members on their first 75-minute appointment ($70 for the first appointment made in September).    

This week's Harvest

Lettuces

Greens : Kales, chards and collards

Tomatoes....

Peppers

S Squash

LEEKS!

Eggplant

BOCA peaches

(and fruit share peaches too!)

Sungold Cherry Toms

and more!

PYO Flowers! Herbs! 

This weekend I noticed that the light ever-so-slightly shifted into the warm glow of late summer/early fall....everything seemed basked in a slightly deeper hue of gold. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, so I relish in the early signs of the seasonal shift!

Speaking of shifting, I (lizzie) will be returning to teaching this fall, and my first full day of school is next Tuesday! Some of you met Aman earlier in the season- he'll be setting up and covering CSA pickups until week 20 (11/4). I'll generally arrive to BOCA around 4 or 4:30, so I'll still get to visit with many of you!

Today's Harvet:

Potatoes

CORN

Tomatoes

Peppers

Hot Peppers

Greens (Kales mainly, and chard)

Tounge of Fire Beans

Eggplant

....and more!

PYO Herbs, LOTS o FLOWERS!!

CORN IS HERE!!!

(and tomatoes...and sweet dumpling squash!)

I am preparing to read part of Michael Pollan's book Omnimovre's Dilemma with my 7th Grade class this fall, during our study of American food systems.

One of our members shared a hilarious lil blurb from the New Yorker, perfectly satirizing our small farm culture!

Check it out here for some laughs...what do you think? Accurate? Hilarious. 

Recipe ideas this week...

Dealing with MASSIVE zucchini 

Melons!

Freaky FREEKAH and beans!

COLD SOBA! 

Today's Harvest 

Beans

Squash

Melons

Kales/Collard Mix

Cucumbers

Beets

Peppers- Sweet

Hot peppers

...and more!

Pick Your Own

Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Parsely, Mint

Sunflowers! Zinnias! Dahlias! And more!

Today's harvest is a bountiful one, featuring many new items! 

One of my favorite squash, Delicata is ready today. Hard squash are really the rockstars of the fall harvest, but Delicata are sweet and delectable year round. I have tried each of these recipes and they are all amazing! 

Also coming out of the ground today is the first round of BOCA papas... our beautiful heirloom potatoes. I used to not be the biggest potato fan (except French Fries, of course!) But eating potatoes fresh out of the ground was a revelation. Potatoes from the grocer have generally been in storage for months. The chemistry of the tubers changes in storage, especially in terms of the sugar content. Fresh potatoes are creamy, sweet and incredible in every way! I hope you enjoy them today. Here are a few lovely potato recipes:

Serious Eats Best Potato Recipes

A potato Salad from the one and only Martha

DINO kale with lil 'taters

We picked FOUR tomatoes yesterday! Just like every year at BOCA, our tomatoes dragggg along, taking forever to ripen. But when they arrive...they are HERE with a bang and will carry us all the way to November 4th!

Today's Harvest:

Summer Squash

Cukes

melons!!

Beets

dandilion greens

jalapenos 

Potatoes: Mix of Varieties, Picked today!

Beans

Delicata Squash

Kales

Lettuces

Melons

Green Bell Peppers!

Maybe a few Eggplant

Pick your own

Sunflowers, Zinnias and Dahlias

Herbs: Basil, Dill, Cilantro and MINT! 

This morning I watched as various pollinators buzzed and hummed around our community garden. Bumble bees and honey bees dipped around the anise hyssop. A sweet hummingbird clicked as it darted in the dahlias. A dusty moth perched on a white garlic chive blossom.

It's wonderful to see so much of this pollination happening. We are thrilled to have a BOCA bee hive out at the end of our field. Our bees are doing very well, and even produced a little bit of honey this past season! 

Our beekeeper Rob Keller has embarked on a very admirable project, and we're thrilled that its home will be at BOCA Farm. Rob is focused on preserving and improving our own local stock of bees.  A lot of problems facing bee populations, he believes, stem from bees being imported or tranplanted into regions that aren't their native habitats. Here is more information about his project, as well as an opportunity to support his amazing work. 

This week we have more of the delicious bounty of last week! By next week we're hoping for corn and maybe even a few melons!

Squash Recipes!!

14 Ideas for ZUC

Amazing looking Summer Squash GRATIN

Today's Harvest

Kales

Greens

Beets

Radishes

Lemon Cukes

Green Cukes

2 Kinds of Beans

Fennel

Summer Squash

Pick Your Own...

Herbs!

ZINNIAS!! also a FEW sunflowers and bachelor's buttons

Dahlias!

Preservation of the season's bounty takes time and discipline... but always is worth the effort. Personally, I always hoard my preserves until the last minute, ie just tapping into last season's tomato sauce now! But for those of you who are better at rationing off your stockpiles, here are some ideas of how to extend the season with what we currently have in the boxes...mainly cukes and BASIL:

• Last year I made pesto with BOCA Basil and then froze it in ice cube trays. Then I put the little cubes in baggies and just grabbed a cube when I wanted the summery flavor.
• 50 things to make with PESTO!! 

• When it comes to fermentation, Sandor Katz is my main squeeze. His book WIld Fermentation is easy to read/understand and full of cool recipes. Highly recommend!! 

• Fascinating Pickle Facts!!!!!!!!!!!

• Brigit's Ice Water Pickles:

ice water pickles

24 hours

6 1/2 C cold h2o
1 C white vinegar
1/2 C salt
1/4 C sugar
1 T pickling spice
1 clove garlic
2 or 4 cardamom seeds
fresh dill or fennel seeds optional
(I always add more spices & garlic)
1/2 inch slices or spears

place cucumbers directly into large jar. pour in liquid and spices to top. keep in fridge up to a month.

TODAY'S HARVEST:

Kales: Dino and Russian

Radishes

Beets

Squashes

Cukes

BEANS!

Fennel

Baby Onions

Collard Greens

Pick your OWN

BASIL, DIll, Cilantro

Dahlias, Cardoons

A FEW Zinnias!

We are at the cusp of the summer explosion and it's hard to be patient! When I walk the field and admire the peppers, beans, corn, tomatoes and melons all progressing beautifully I have to take a deep breath and remember that when they hit, they'll be here for good, and that the tender greens and magical/bitter/brassicae flavors of the beginning of our growing season won't last for long! This year has been a little strange, with a few blasts of heat right off the bat sending our basil, squash and dahlias up early and pushing our cilantro to bolt earlier than ever. Every single season is different- we expect the same items to be coordinated in ripeness each year and they never are- so we go with the flow and make new recipes with what's ready, when it is.

Recipes:

Pickled Slaw from Smitten Kitchen

I've been Cooking from this book recently- Love it 

And for those of you with Fruit Shares....

Today BEETS are making a comeback! We'll have gorgeous chioggia (striped!) beets. Enjoy!

Today's Harvest:

4 Kinds of Summer Squash (and a few blossoms)

3 Kinds of Cucumbers

Turnips

2 kinds of Radishes

Beets

Baby Lettuces

Dino Kale

Russian Kale

Little Onions

a few jalapeños 

epazote

Pick Your Own

Dahlias and Cardoon Flowers

Dill, Basil, Cilantro (bolting!) and Italian Parsley

For the past two weeks, Dandelion Greens have been among the leafy foliage appearing at pickup. Dandelion is one of the superstars of the veggie world. As bitter as they are beneficial, these glorious greens are high in calcium, iron, and PACKED with antioxidants. Dandies also have AS much protein as spinach. As an anti-inflammatory, many health risks are quelled by dandelion. 

Their bitterness is calmed by cooking, yet blended raw into a smoothie is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this beneficial botanical.   

Other favorite preparations include spicy dandelion sautee, pesto, and Asian or Southern flavors. The bitterness tends to be complimented by ingredients like goat cheese, egg yolk, and potatoes. YUMMY!

10 Ways to use Dandelion Greens 

This week's basket will include:

Dandelion Greens

Dino Kale

Red Russian Kale

Tokyo Turnips

Fennel

Mini Heirloom Cabbage

Four Kinds of Summer Squash

Cucumbers: Armenian, Lemon and Pickling

Pearl Onions

Pick Your Own

Dahlias

Dill

Italian Parsley

Baby Basil

Cilantro

It’s been a productive and busy spring, with plenty of warm sunshine and long, dry days. More than ever we are seeing bees buzzing and birds fluttering around the garden. It’s satisfying to be able to support an environment that is balanced and to contribute to sustaining biodiversity. 

A few weeks ago, our neighbors (the Napa Valley Horseman's Association) hosted their 75th anniversary celebration. Part of the day included rides around BOCA. The scene transported me to a differernt era...

Today we'll launch into our third CSA season, and we couldn't be more thrilled to dive right into a bountiful harvest! We’ll see you from 3:30 to 6pm today. Eggs for both 10 and 20 week subscriptions will be ready for pickup today. 

Today's box will include:

3 Kinds of Summer Squash

Squash Blossoms

Mini Pearl Onions

Fennel

Baby Russian Kale

Young Dino Kale

Purple and Green Frilly Mustard Greens

Dandelion Greens

Tokyo Turnips

Mixed Heirloom Cucumbers 

Bunched Mint and other herbs

Pick Your Own….

Dill

Cilantro

Dahlias

Recipes for this week:

Stuffed Squash Blossoms (btw they are amazing served stuffed and RAW, too!)

Squash Soup with Creme Fraiche and Cilantro (keeping it fraiche)

All About Mustard Greens

We are honored to grow food for our community of shareholders, and greatly appreciate their dedication to BOCA Farm and local agriculture. 

Have a great week!