Good Morning - August Farm Life Is On A Roll - Farm Members Update

Closing the market until sometime in October, doesn't mean Michael and I are slowing down. Farm life doesn't ever really slow down. . . it just changes. Constantly.

We're continuing to plan and prepare for our fall Simple Inspiration classes and workshop along with  scheduling a few (limited seating) farm to table experiences. Michael has begun to (mentally) map out the fall herb and vegetable season of chard/kale/spinach/gourmet lettuces along with our Paris carrots, French breakfast radishes and lots of herbs - culinary and medicinal.

We have decided (at least for today) to breed three girls and milk two through. Storm and her daughter Plum will not get boy dates this year.  Those two girls will be our fall and early winter caramel makers.

Misst Storm will be milked through this season. Not sure how she feels about NOT having a boy date. 

Farm Members Update
We are excited about all the interest in folks becoming a member of The Simple Farm. We have talked with many this season at the farm.

Two things: IF you are an OLD or NEW farm member, I'm trying to gather names/email addresses for the record. Would you help me out and email me at lylahledner@gmail.com and put your name in the subject line and the word MEMBER. In the future we'll try to have new members register with the i-pad at the market.

The next thing is...we'd love to get all members (if you're physically able) to complete your farm chore. Just one 30 minute farm chore - at your convenience. IF you haven't done one yet - let me know when you email me.

What Will Be In The Market for Farm Members
Every day but Saturday - you can purchase your RAW Goat milk/ goat cheese, specialty butters and honey.

We decided to CONTINUE putting vegetables and herbs and eggs in the market on THURSDAY mornings. Kinda like we've always done. We will remove them at the end of Thursday. It's JUST way to hot to keep them everyday and since we're working on other projects/planning/breeding for fall - we'll just set things out one day. The only yummy bread available will be what is NOW in the freezer. I have a feeling it will be gone by Thursday. I don't know about you, but I already miss my sprouted wheat and cinnamon raisin.  Carol DID say she will bake after her kitchen gets put back together and bring a stash of bread sometime in September.

Apples AND peaches WILL be at Thursday Members Market this week!

Another reminder - whenever you decide to shop the market - it's a CASH/CHECK ONLY. We are not manning the market to give you change OR take a credit card. Don't forget...write your full name, list your purchases and put your cash/check in the drop box INSIDE the market.

What's going on? Simple Inspiration Classes and Workshops
Our passion is to see people grow their own food. . . to take little steps toward that freedom to grow and not be dependent on really anyone. So far our Simple Inspiration classes on gardening have been WELL received and ATTENDED.  We are continuing these classes and are adding some evening workshops which we'll post soon.

Eggplant, okra, peppers, malibar spinach, squash, melons, cucumbers and more!

Plant Your Garden Now
Did you know we have added a Market Garden Center with Suzanne Vilardi's beautiful vegetable and herb transplants? We sure did.  Thursday from 8:30 until 10:30, Friday from 4 - 6 and Sunday mornings from 8 - 9:30 am these plants are avaiable for purchase and Tracy with Sonoran Seasons is there to help you with your garden purchases. Plants are $3 each or 4 for $10.

Our Farmers Market Closes This Thursday Until October Sometime

The girls LOVE the kind people who brought them mesquite pods. While on a market break - we will start breeding the girls. I've been working on plans for the January - March kidding season and our farm kidding page will be up in September so you can know which babies will for sale.

We've been trying to announce and let everyone know that this Thursday - August 1st is our last market and French cafe until sometime in October. 

The market and any produce we do harvest will be available to our farm members. If we have not personally chatted about what you becoming a farm member - this Thursday is the last opportunity to do so and become a farm member.  Besides the chat explaining farm membership - you are required to do a ONE TIME farm chore (about 30 minutes). 

Produce harvested - mostly eggplant, basil, okra, peppers and armenian cucumbers will be set out on Thursday morning only.  Goats milk and goats cheese and honey and those specialty butters will be available. There is no credit card taken or change given. 

Garden Plants - see here

What will happen though - is that the French Cafe will be full of beautiful vegetable and herb plants for you to purchase on Thursday mornings from 8:30 until noon. Cash or check only! Any produce in the market is available for farm members only. 

Buy Your Vegetable Plants at Our Farm - Plant Your Garden Now

We want to encourage and educate everyone on how to grow a garden - and feel good about it. One thing that's important is to begin your garden with happy soil and happy seeds or happy starts - also known as your vegetable or herb plants. 

Vilardi Gardens is partnering with us by bringing and setting up their beautiful, happy and locally grown starts (vegetable and herb plants) to our farm. 

This Thursday our farm closes until sometime in October HOWEVER 

because we so want everyone to grow food - we're setting up a Garden Market and 

for your convenience you can do your garden shopping on 

Thursday mornings from 8:30 until noon, 

Friday afternoons from 4-5:30 pm and 

Sunday mornings from 8 until 9:30 am.

All these beautiful vegetables and herbs are set up in our French Cafe and will be happy planted now. This season of gardening is like a double dip - Tomatoes, peppers, squash, okra, eggplant and more.

The next season will be just as delicious - chards, kale, spinach and lovely lettuces.