The Harvest Bee Blog

Good Morning, Friends: As the pollen season continues to wreak havoc on those of us with allergies, I couldn't help but think about the yin and yang of the whole thing. What is causing some of us to literally blow the insides out of our noses and mouths (I literally just sneezed/coughed raisin bran all over this computer screen) and turning all our cars yellow is the same thing that is creating a euphoric dance party for other creatures like insects and birds! That yin and yang is fundamentally at the heart of farming altogether. Grubs = bad for plants, but fodder for our hens. Fennel = good for our tummies, but bad when planted next to virtually any other plant. Aphids = bad for greens, but feast for lady bugs. Bees = vicious when they feel their honey as at risk, but calm as butter when nestled among the flowers. And so on. Going into this season and working this new piece of land I had formulated (somewhat naively) an idea of how much food could be produced. While the land has gradually increased in production throughout the season, we are barely scratching the surface of what we believe it will provide. So, that things have not exactly gone as planned can obviously weigh on the farmer or anyone. Yet, when we can stop and balance those feelings with the truth that we are always right we are supposed to be, it seems appropriate to revel in the delight that truly, we walk in beauty right where we are. Every evening, the last thing I do before leaving the land is recite a Native American poem titled just that, "In Beauty May I Walk". The point being that no matter what challenged the day has brought, in the end everything is perfectly imperfect. Indeed, immersed in this ecosystem really is the essence of life on a micro level. And about life....taking this whole yin/yang concept to a macro level, I have been so deeply touched by many of you who have shared various life stories and events throughout this season. Sharing food with people, in general, is a wonderfully fulfilling activity, whether that be with those who buy food at the market, with a chef, or with anyone. CSAs, however, just seem to intensify this relationship in ways that cannot really be explained. It's not just about food, it never is. Farmers realize that when engaged in a CSA. It's really about the food acting as a vehicle in bringing people together, especially when there just seems to be too many things trying to divide us.....politics and caucuses and primaries, ahem, ahem! Your stories humble me, of course, but they also inspire me and I cherish those moments when stronger bonds are formed both now and in the future. If words cannot describe the feelings, I can only hope that the food in some way expresses what the relationship between the farmers and CSAer truly means. In this week's expression of humility and inspiration you will find the following: •Braising Mix (this one will be much better for sautéing, but can be eaten raw, too. •Lettuce •Snap Peas •Cucumbers •Edible Flowers Here is an absolutely delicious and simple recipe for a fresh cucumber salad, great to ready for the warmer weather: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/creamy-cucumber-salad-recipe.html Thank you all. To end I just want to let you know that at this point in the CSA season I think our relationships have developed enough to where I now basically associate each of you with a vegetable or fruit, which is comical when walking through the field and looking at a head of lettuce and saying, "Oh, that's so and so!"......er something??So, if you want to know what you are, just ask! See you all at pick-ups! Onen, The Bees