Tart Cherry Picking begins this week!
Crop Talk: June 14 ~ Week 2
What a great week of reconnecting with returning members and meeting new ones.  We are always amazed at how much the children have grown and how excited they are to visit the farm.

Thank you so much to everyone for all your support and patience as we worked through the first week of CSA delivery with our new online system.  We will be making some adjustments this week and delivery times should get more consistent as we settle into routes.

The April frosts were tough on many of the orchards, so we are excited to have some sweet cherries for CSA shares this week.  One of the benefits of CSA is that only share members will be enjoy these this year. Feel free to email us with any questions about deliveries or pick ups via CSA@GreatCountryFarms.com
June 14-19 CSA Shares Include:

Sweet Cherries
1 bundle Spring Onions
1 Bundle Asparagus
1 bag lettuce
1 parley herb plant
1 bag Swiss Chard

Help keep your share fresh!  We suggest a cooler for deliveries or bringing one to the farm if you plan to stay to pick and play.  Click here for tips on receiving your delivery or picking up your share at the farm.
Bonus Pick Your Own
June 14-20th:
1 Quart of Tart Cherries/ Share
Wagon Rides to Pick 9:15 -5pm

The tart cherries made it through the frosts of April and are ripe and ready for picking.  Known for their anti-inflamatory properties, tart cherries can help with gout, recovery for runners, and arthritis.  Here is a link to 3 big health benefits of Tart Cherry Juice. 

A Wagon Ride will take you out to pick so you are in the right place and we know who is picking.  We run these starting at 9:15 sharp and every 20-30 minutes in the mornings when we are busier.  Starting at 1pm the ride goes out at the top of the hour at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. 

This week's Bonus Value: $5.00
Year-to- Date Bonus Value:  $47.00
Swiss Chard, Mushroom, and White-Cheddar Quiche
Swiss Chard Super Green

This member of the beet family, Swiss chard, doesn't have the rock star status of it's popular neighbor kale, but it’s a power green in its own right. Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, and iron, it makes a colorful and tasty side dish, or a nutritious addition to pasta, soup, quiches, and more. 

How to Store: After a mild rinse, store chard in a Salad Sac (we have them in our Market) or  in moistened paper towels in a plastic bag (with a few pinholes to allow air to circulate) in the refrigerator for two or three days.

Martha Stewart has a great set of recipes to enjoy your Swiss Chard this week, including this one for Swiss Chard, Mushroom, and White-Cheddar Quiche

And check our blog for Marla Vargas-Mundey's recipes using the spring onions and greens in this week's box.
Summer Hours at The Roosteraunt 

We are pleased to announce new hours and a new menu at our Roosteraunt concession stand this season.   We will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am to 3pm offering non-GMO Flatbreads and hand-dipped Trickling Springs Ice cream.  

This Week's Roosteraunt Special:  Austin Blues Pecan Wood Smoked Pork BBQ Flat Bread
Stone Cottage~ Loafing Shed Farm Stay
 
We are pleased to announce availability of the Stone Cottage for overnight accommodations. This former "loafing shed" has been renovated and is now equipped with a queen bed, sitting room and kitchenette.

This former run-in shed provided shelter and shade for the farm animals in the high pasture that now is home to the cherry, peach and apple trees. The term "loafing shed" comes from our patriarch, Farmer Bob as they used to say that the animals were "loafing" when they took a break from a day's work in the shed.

Rates are $289+tax per night this time of year and $350/night for Sept and October weekends. For more information and reservations, please email Kate via EventPlanner@greatcpuntryfarms.com

Keep us in mind when you need a get away!


Father's Day Fishing Derby ~ June 19th
Complimentary Dirt Farm Brewing Tasting for each Dad

Join us for our annual family fishing contest and see who can hook the biggest fish between 9am and 2pm.  The Power Hour is from 1-2pm and the prize goes to the most fish caught in the hour.

We are thrilled to welcome  Bryan Kelly , a 1994 BASS Master Qualifier and long-time Potomac River fishing guide, for a spin-tackle demonstration and a fly-casting clinic at this year’s event. Bryan is the CEO and Head Guide of the Anglers Inn in Harpers Ferry, and he has been featured on The Outdoor Channel on  Curtis Flemings Fly Rod Chronicles.  Come spend some time with this accomplished author, artist, and designer of flies for small mouth bass, and up your fishing game.

Quench your thirst and share your fish story at Dirt Farm Brewing .  We have a complimentary tasting for each Dad to celebrate all our father's do for us!

Sunday, June 19th
9am – 2pm. 
Admission:  Included for CSA & Fan Members
Guest Admission: $8/child and $10/adult   
Great Country Farms | 540-554-2073 | CSA@GreatCountryFarms.com | www.GreatCountryFarms.com