Think "Soft gentle soaking rain"

Every week we try to keep our newsletters to the point and light hearted. But this week we would like to shed an awareness to our struggling fellow farmers around the country. Many people do not see the link of the peril of the farmer in this country to themselves. We are so accustomed to the store route for our food, it has lost it's true face, the farmer. We have continued to be blessed here on McDougal's Farm. Our second harvest of broccoli is producing big beautiful heads beyond our expectations, the cabbage heads swell to 6 pounds and the tomatoes hang small but heavy enough. This is not the case in 2/3 of our drought laden country. In Madison (so close to home) farmers have disked under their bean, broccoli and corn crops. Crops that cost a small fortune to put in, were planted in good faith (and a loan) in the spring, panned out to be a devastating loss by midsummer. So why do we concern ourselves when we are fairing OK here in Deerbrook, Wisconsin? Because we are all connected, we are all one sharing the same planet. When one suffers, we all suffer. The western wildfires will affect you, as will the early freezing temperatures that took out the apple and cherry crops. The heat that has devastated our nations bread basket region will have its impact . Yes, we can all live without a few apples, cherries and a little less bread for a year, but consider the farmer's year. It's a long year without a pay check and how do they pay for next year's seed? They don't. Each year we lose more farmers. The very people that support one of our most important basic needs next to water,....food.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support this year. We understand the risk you take to support us. We are humbled and grateful as we continue to harvest abundantly. We are firm believers in the power of many, so let's help our struggling brothers and sisters out. Think "soft gentle, soaking, healing rains over our lands". Think "abundance and beauty". Let's extend this and think "global peace, love and unity". As Friedrich Schiller said, " Even the weak become strong when they are united"

In the Box
This week in the box you will find the second picking of sweet corn, yellow and prurple beans, those sweet little Hakerei turnips, a head of cauliflower and a bag of red leaf lettuce. If we had any regrets, it would be the shortage of greens we were able to put into the boxes this year. Heat and greens just don't get along. I'm sure a little leaf lettuce will be welcomed...more romaine and kale on the way. We also have some pretty good size Cylindera beets in your box this week. We like these. They are fun to pick (no digging) and they don't get woody like some of the other beets. We also have a tomato and spaghetti squash in your box. Spaghetti squash is like no other squash. It actually looks like cooked spaghetti when it's done, minus the carbs! Cooking instructions are included in the recipe below. You will also find a bulb of fennel and sweet peppers (Bell, Carmen or Banana) . No hot ones this week. Next week: pearl white sweet corn and Delicata squash.

" For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack." Rudyard Kipling

What did it take to fill this week's box?
• 700 ears of sweet corn
• 106 spaghetti squash
• 174 pounds of yellow beans
• 106 pounds of purple beans
• 550 beets
• 135 heads of cauliflower
• 378 Hakerei turnips
• 144 linear feet of leaf lettuce
• 120 bulbs of fennel
• 300 mixed sweet peppers
• 150 pounds of tomatoes
• 1 hell of a crew!

live with intention. walk to the edge. listen hard. practice wellness.
play with abandon. laugh. choose with no regret. continue to learn.
appreciate your friends. do what you love. live as if this is all there is. Mary anne Radmacher- Hershey /shared by Tanya T.- Thanks Tanya