April Farmhouse Fodder

Volume 12, Issue 4

April 2022

"Spring's greatest joy beyond a doubt is when it brings the children out." - Edgar Guest

Spring is in full swing at Centennial Farm! The children continue to visit as we are in the midst of our busy school tour season. Make sure to hop on down to Centennial Farm and visit our resident rabbits this spring!

PUBLIC HOURS

(Excluding holidays and all-grounds events)

Monday-Friday: 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission and parking are FREE!

Agriculture Education

New Volunteer Open House

When: Wednesday, April 6, 8:45-11:30 a.m. (RSVP by Monday, April 7, by calling (714) 708-1619 or emailing CentennialFarm@ocfair.com

Where: Centennial Farm – Silo Bldg., 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Open House overview: Staff will provide information about volunteer opportunities, training program details and all Centennial Farm educational programs. You will also have the chance to shadow a Jr. Farmer Tour with one of our experienced volunteers.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Centennial Farm volunteer!

Junior Farmer Tours are available to schools with kindergarten through 3rd grade students. On a Junior Farmer Tour, students take a 90-minute guided tour around the farm through our barns, animal pens and crops. During the tour, students get to plant radish seeds, hold a chick and learn all about how agriculture is incorporated into their daily lives. The number of chaperones is limited for these tours. Junior Farmer Tour group sizes are 10 to 23 students per group.

For those not part of a school group, check out our Discovery Days that are perfect for homeschool groups, preschool groups, families, clubs, etc.!

To learn more and to reserve Junior Farmer Tours and Discovery Days, please visit ocfair.com/centennialfarm.

Faces of the Farm

Get to know the wonderful volunteers of Centennial Farm!

Sharon

Years of Service: 7

Favorite Farm Crop: Coffee Tree

Favorite Farm Animal: Patches the Ox

Favorite Fair Food: Dole Whip by the Green Gate

Favorite Station During Jr. Farmer Tours: Chicks

Fun Fact About Yourself: My family and I were featured on Animal Planet "Dogs 101" in the Western Terrier episode. They filmed our family at the home and at my daughter's elementary school. The episode is replayed occasionally on Animal Planet.

Centennial Farm Foundation Fundraiser

Join us for the Sporting Clays Fun Shoot on Friday, April 29, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises.

Sponsored by the Centennial Farm Foundation, which supports the educational activities of Centennial Farm at the OC Fairgrounds.

Event includes: Targets, 50 shells, meals and beverages, and Silent Auction

Registration - Individual: $200

Silent Auction and BBQ only: $50

Get more info and purchase tickets today.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD)

For more information about RHD and biosecurity, visit California Department of Food and Agriculture:

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/RHD.html

Farm Smarts

While similar in appearance, domestic and wild rabbits are very different. Here in California, we are home to eight species of wild rabbit native to America. The most widespread species are the black-tailed hare, the desert cottontail, and the brush rabbit. Domestic rabbits, however, originate from Europe with over 305 breeds worldwide. The most commonly kept domesticated rabbits are the mini rex, dwarf polish, and angora rabbit with many owners entering their small, fluffy hoppers into Rabbit Shows throughout the country.

Both types of rabbits have teeth that continuously grow throughout their lifetime. With nonstop growing teeth, how many times does a rabbit chew per minute?

A) 50

B) 90

C) 120

Check the next issue of the Farmhouse Fodder for the answer!

Last Month's Farm Smarts

Many people around the world associate four-leafed clovers, beer, corned beef and cabbage, and potatoes with St. Patrick's Day and Ireland. But did you know that the potato is originally from South America? It was domesticated from a wild plant in a northwestern region of Bolivia and south of Peru. Completely unknown to the rest of the world until Spain's conquest of the Americas, it was brought back to Europe and was first regarded with hesitation. The first potato patch in North America was only planted in 1719 in New Hampshire. Since then, Idaho has become the number one potato producer in North America.

With more than 25 varieties of potato grown in Idaho, which variety is grown the most?

Answer: B) Russet

Visit smile.amazon.com and set Centennial Farm Foundation as your charity. A percentage of your Amazon purchases will benefit the foundation!

Barnyard Birthdays

We would like to wish the following docents and staff a very happy birthday, and thank them for all they do here at Centennial Farm!

April

Richard G. 4/2

Dave H. 4/9

Philip H. 4/13

Fred W. 4/17

Sue A. 4/17

George J. 4/19

Debbi K. 4/24

Mark Z. 4/25

Michelle A. 4/26

May

Tom G. 5/1

Mary Z. 5/7

Jacqueline M. 5/8

Patti F. 5/10

Sharon S. 5/11

Chris J. 5/21

Bharati P. 5/27

Sherry S. 5/29

Tamara L. 3/31

Julie G. 3/31

The Culinary Corner

with Chef Vina

Happy Spring, fellow foodies!

Our beautiful coastal days are sunnier for an extra couple of hours and I love seeing everyone out gardening and picking up supplies to spruce up their gardens, patios and homes with flora and fauna. I have been hard at work on my own herb garden. I love having fresh herbs to add to soups, salads and just about any dish. They add a burst of flavor and a pop of color with just a few bits of fresh goodness!

On the subject of gardening and herbs, I want to share with you this fantastic info: How to Plant an Indoor Herb Garden. Check it out for helpful tips! My go-to fresh sauce “Gremolata,” below, will add to your repertoire and surely take your dishes to another level.

RECIPES

Gremolata

Gremolata is one of those condiment-type sauces that enhances anything it touches. The classic combination is parsley, lemon and garlic, but in this walnut-based rendition, a dash of mint brings a bold freshness to play off the earthy nut. You can also switch out the walnut with pecans, pine nuts or even pistachios.

It’s a great topping for roasted root vegetables, smashed fingerling potatoes, grilled chicken, or slow-roasted salmon. Stir it into hot noodles to create an elegant pasta, or smear it on crostini or a nice chunk of crusty bread and a piece of white cheddar, mozzarella or asiago. It’s also delicious on a baked sweet potato or perfectly seared steak. Basically whatever the gremolata adorns will taste better!

Ingredients:

1 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts (or any of above mentioned nuts)
1 cup finely chopped flat/Italian parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped mint
2-3 tablespoons EVOO (I use Garcia De La Cruz)
2 teaspoons of fresh grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 medium garlic clove minced, about 1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Dash of red pepper flake (more if desired)

Directions:

Gather all the ingredients, stir together in a medium bowl until well combined. Store in a resealable glass jar in fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you like it more blended, feel free to use a mini food chopper.

Strawberry Jalapeno Lime Daiquiri

Since strawberry season is here, what better way to liven up a daquiri than to add lime and jalapenos? You can certainly make this recipe sans liquor for a refreshing blended drink.

I love strawberry daiquiris and they always turn out better when I use fresh strawberries.

Ingredients:

3 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
6 ounces light rum
4 ounces lime juice
1 jalapeno chopped (no seeds)
5 tablespoons sugar or agave
6 fresh strawberry slices for garnish
fresh mint leaves for garnish

Directions:

In a blender, combine strawberries, rum, lime juice and sugar. Blend until smooth. Garnish each glass with a strawberry slice and mint. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Keep in mind that Melissa's Produce has amazing fresh and seasonal produce that can be shipped directly to your home. They have dozens of recipes on their site as well as wonderful opportunities to enter seasonal contests and win their incredible produce!

Stay connected and find out all about our upcoming Farm & Garden Classes at Centennial Farm. We love seeing you all and love sharing new and fun ways to make delicious memories for you and your loved ones. My summer salad class is coming up on May 14. We’re going to have so much yummy fun – fresh grilled stone fruit, local gourmet cheese, the best seasonal produce and a homemade dressing that you can use on grilled veggies and marinades too! Spots get booked quickly so head to ocfair.com/gardenclasses for the latest information and join us.

Stay well and sweet dishes,

Chef Vina

WHAT’S IN SEASON?

Be sure to check out Melissa's Produce, the leading U.S. variety distributor of specialty and organic fresh produce.

April Produce Guide

Want to introduce fruits and veggies into your snacking routine but don't know where to start? Check out the list below for some inspiration on seasonal produce you can use and then hit your favorite farmers market or store for some in-season goodies!

Fruits: Apples, Mangoes, Oranges, Pineapple

Apples

Oranges

Mangoes

Vegetables: Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Radishes, Spring Onions

Kale

Leeks

Radishes

WORDS FROM THE WISE

“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.” - Julia Child

Farm & Garden Classes

Our Farm & Garden Class series promotes agriculture education and offers topics ranging from growing vegetables in the winter to raising chickens.

All About Summer Salads

About the Class:

Summer is right around the corner, and summer salads are fresh, light and easily prepared highlighting seasonal produce! Come join us for a hands-on class offered by Chef Vina at Centennial Farm. Learn some tasty techniques and food preparation, plus get a generous tasting of the prepared salad. You’ll surely be ready for your next summer brunch or BBQ after this class!

In this "Farm to Table" class you will learn how to prepare a grilled stone fruit summer salad with fresh made dressing. We'll be featuring Melissa’s Produce and our very own Centennial Farm,, along with artisan cheese from DiStefano.

When: Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.-noon OR 1:30- 3:30 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Silo Building at Centennial Farm

How Much: $30 fee covers ingredients and any handouts. Refund policy – There will be NO refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of a class.

More info: Reserve your spot by May 10

Make It, Take It - Gifts from the Kitchen: Escabeche

About the Class:

This class will bring you up to date on the latest canning process recommendations, teach you how to process your food safely and tell you why you are doing it that way. You will learn what equipment is needed and proper storage methods. A recipe to make escabeche – a simple but zesty combination of crunchy pickled vegetables that is often served with Mexican cuisine – will be taught and prepared in class for participants to take home.

When: Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.-noon

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Silo Building at Centennial Farm

How Much: $25 fee covers ingredients and any handouts. Refund policy – There will be NO refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of a class.

More info: Reserve your spot by May 18

To see class offerings and to register for a class, visit ocfair.com/gardenclasses.

Heroes Hall Museum

Museum Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Heroes Hall is located next to Centennial Farm on the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. The museum is open to the public year-round.

This month at Heroes Hall:

Fighting for the Right – Speaker Series

The Kindness of Color: The Story of Two Families and Mendez, et al. v. Westminster, the 1947 Desegregation of California Public Schools

Speaker: Janice Munemitsu, author

When: Saturday, April 2, 11 a.m.

Eagles in the Sky: Mexican American Pilots of WWII

Speaker: Judge Frederick Aguirre

When: Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.

For more information, including a list of upcoming speakers, please visit ocfair.com/heroes-hall

2022 OC Fair

The 2022 OC Fair, themed "Feel the Sunshine," will be here July 15-Aug. 14.

Tickets are on sale now! Advanced ticket purchase is required. Go to ocfair.com/tickets to buy today.

We are HIRING! Unleash your own kind of awesome at OC Fair & Event Center! We're looking for enthusiastic people to join over diverse team. Don't miss out on the chance to land a great job! For more information, visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/be-a-part-of-the-fair/

Got questions? Check out our FAQs at ocfair.com/about-us/faq