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Reserve Your Baby Chicks Now!
Crop Talk: February 24, 2014
The Newsletter of Great Country Farms
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 Rain at our Fingertips
How do you water 600 acres of produce? Each year, we research new ways to improve our irrigation systems and are excited to add a new overhead irrigation wheel from Rain-Flo to improve the availability and quality of some of our crops such as our sweet corn, pumpkins, melons, green beans & cucumbers. This wheel will be hooked up to our pump that can pull over 100 gal/min out of the Shenandoah River for our plantings at Holy Cross Abbey. This is a huge step for us in our growing strategy.
 | | Plastic Mulch |
In addition to the new irrigation wheel, we will continue using a drip line irrigation system under our plastic row covers. Our local greenhouse partner Layng's Flower & Garden will start the seeds for us which we then plant them through plastic mulch which blocks weeds and eliminates the need to use herbicides. The plastic also prevents soil coming in direct contact with some produce keeping it cleaner for your CSA. |
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Reserve Baby Chick's for Easter! | |
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Here a peep there a peep, take some home to share a peep! Learn first-hand the fun of raising spring chicks as a Spring Break and Easter project! Raising baby peeps is a really awesome experience for both little people and big people. If you're not allowed to keep them, NO WORRIES! We can take your peeps back and give them a good home after they are all grown up. CLICK HERE for more details and to order your chicks today. Supplies are limited! . |
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Produce Highlight: Broccoli
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Vitamin A+K=D 
Even Kids love to pick and eat "little trees"!
Nutrition Facts: Broccoli has a strong, positive impact on our body's detoxification system, chronic inflammation & oxidative stress which are 3 problems related to cancer. Broccoli also has an ample supplies of vitamin K and vitamin A which help keep our vitamin D metabolism in balance. http://www.whfoods.com
Growing News: The best time to plant broccoli is during the cool months between March and May. We brought the seeds over to Layng's Farm last week so our little plants are being started. It will take about 5-6 weeks until they are 18-24 inches tall in which they can then be planted in our fields. Broccoli can grow up to 3 feet high and need at least 36 inches of space between each plant to grow. In about 2-3 months they will be ready to be harvested. We hope to have them ready for June CSA boxes.
Selection & Storage: Choose broccoli that is uniformly dark green colored and with no yellowing or flowers blossoming through, as this is a sign of over maturity. Place broccoli in a plastic bag, removing as much of the air from the bag as possible. Store in the refrigerator where it will keep for 10 days. Do not wash broccoli before storing because exposure to water encourages spoilage. Broccoli that has been blanched and then frozen can keep for up to a year. |
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Broccoli & Cheese Soup
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Great with a slice of whole wheat bread, salad and grilled protein and only 226 calories per serving!
Ingredients (Serves 4):  2 cups broccoli
1 can of vegetable broth (14oz)
2 cups 2%, 1%, or skim milk
4 tbsp wheat flour
1/2 cup low fat cream cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions: Cook broccoli in vegetable broth for five minutes. In separate saucepan, mix milk, flour, cheeses, salt, and pepper. Boil until thickened, stirring constantly.In blender, puree the cooked broccoli, some of the broth, and the milk mixture. Add to the remainder of broth. Rewarm the soup, garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and serve. |
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Oven Roasted Broccoli
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"Our favorite way to eat broccoli. It's simple and fast. When my son was two he wasn't much of a veggie eater. I let him pick out something from the produce section and he chose "little trees" (Broccoli). It's been a favorite food ever since! He even asked if he could be broccoli for Halloween one year. Getting kids involved in food choices helps build healthy eaters." ~Alison Sonak. Click Here for the Full Recipe...
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Upcoming Events
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February 24
Order Baby Chicks as an Easter Activity
February 26
Visit us for the Grand Opening of
February 28
Cork & Fork Friday
Open Kitchen in Falls Church
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Contact Us
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Great Country Farms
540-554-2073 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135 www.greatcountryfarms.com
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Know someone interested in joining?
Send them here!
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Cork & Fork Friday- Cheese & Wine
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7:00PM-9:00PM
During Open Kitchen's Cork & Fork Friday event, watch as their chefs wine and dine you during an interactive Chef's demonstration of three small plates paired with a tasting of three wines. You'll get recipes for the dishes served, plus tips and tricks from the Chef for easy entertaining, cooking techniques, wine education, and more!
Menu: Cheese & Wine - Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Cheddar Turnovers
- Roasted Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Crostini
- Savory Blue Cheese Shortbreads topped with Dates, Honey and Walnuts
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