(CSA Newsletter: Week 32)
Meet this week’s vegetables:
- Sweet peppers — Ok, we’ve been giving out a lot of sweet peppers. Hopefully this bounty is welcome! However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, have no fear! Sweet peppers are incredibly easy to freeze for use later. Technically you can just toss them into a freezer bag and throw them in the freezer, but that method takes up a lot of room (since peppers are mostly hollow inside). We prefer to ‘prep’ them (wash and chop) and then freeze in smaller batches. That way, it’s easy to pull out, thaw and then throw into a fall or winter dish (frittatas, chili, beans and rice, enchiladas, etc.).
- Tomatoes — Some days when we are tired and we have fresh bread, we eat the most simple late summer dinner of all: bread spread with goat cheese and sliced tomatoes on top (with a little salt and pepper).
- Chard
- Cucumbers — This time of year, we eat cucumbers constantly … even with breakfast! We eat them simply (peeled and sliced), but if you need more inspiration try making cucumber tea sandwiches or cooking them. Yes, cooking cucumbers! We didn’t know about this possibility until a market customer enlightened us a few years ago. She learned from Martha Stewart that cucumbers are delicious thinly sliced and then sautéed in butter (of course, what doesn’t taste good after being sautéed with butter!). Or try this variation: heat some peanut oil in a skillet or wok. Peel, seed and slice a cucumber, and add it to the pan. Cook until it begins to brown, about two minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and soy sauce. Turn out into a bowl and stir in sesame oil.
- Beets — Are beets the vegetable you love to hate or the vegetable you love to love? We want to know! Remember to fill out your 2010 CSA survey, including your “vegetable preference survey”!
- Carrots
- Torpedo onions
Many of you have asked over the last few weeks about the ‘status’ of our quarry fight here on Grand Island.
On the official front, nothing much has happened since the Planning Commissioner voted to recommend denial of the proposal last spring. Since then, we’ve been waiting for the next big hearing in front of the Yamhill County Commissioners (who will make the actual decision), which is currently scheduled for 9 am on Wednesday, September 29 was just rescheduled for 1 pm on Wednesday, November 10 at the McMinnville Community Center.
But on the unofficial front, much has occurred in the intervening months. Our rag tag group of committed farmers and local residents has been meeting on an almost weekly basis to brainstorm for the hearing and work on getting the word out to the public at large. Our efforts have felt very successful so far! We’ve gotten some great press, including a front-page story in The Oregonian on August 26.
Our homemade ProtectGrandIsland.com signs have popped up everywhere around the island, along Wallace Rd, in Dayton, and even in McMinnville and Portland! In fact, one Portland resident who cares about our cause has been moving his sign around and taking photos of it in different metro locations!!! What fun!
We’ve held multiple tours on the island for individuals and officials. Another fun family-friendly tour opportunity is coming up on Sunday, September 19 — a bike/walking tour of the island starting at Heiser Pumpkin Patch. Come by at 1:00 pm to bike/walk around the island and get more information (and water) along the way from the locals.
We’ve also just recently formed an official non-profit, “Protect Grand Island Farms,” which now allows us to more easily accept financial donations from people who want to support our cause (up until now, the individuals involved have been mainly paying for copies, website fees, etc. out of pocket).
And, last time I checked at the Yamhill County Planning Department, there were already hundreds of comment postcards on file! No matter what happens over the next few weeks, there is no denying that there is strong opposition to this quarry (and any future quarries) on Grand Island!
We still have a little over two weeks until the hearing, which will be full of last minute efforts to organize our testimony and continue getting the word out. Working to fight this quarry proposal has made our summer busier than we’ve expected, but there is definitely a silver lining to this cloud: we have finally gotten to know more of our neighbors on the island and nearby!
Folks who live in the country aren’t always the most outgoing, so even after living here for several years, there were still people we only knew vaguely by name and face. Now, we feel confident in saying that we are actually friends with many of our neighbors. It’s been such a blessing that I’d go so far as to say it isn’t just a silver lining on a cloud — it’s a 24-carat gold lining (or maybe even a platinum lining!). It just goes to show that getting involved matters, in ways that go beyond even the expected.
So, get involved (see more ideas elsewhere in this newsletter) … and, enjoy this week’s vegetables!
Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla
P.S. Also, while we went about our other business this week, Casey and I kept talking about all our ideas for our 2011 CSA. We are anxiously awaiting your responses to our CSA survey, so please do take time to fill it out and provide us with feedback!
How can I help?
Want to help protect Grand Island from being destroyed by gravel quarries? Here are some ways that you can get involved in the next two weeks:
- Fill out and mail a comment postcard (available at the CSA pick-up) or submit your own written comments to the Yamhill County Planning Department (mail to 525 NE 4th St, McMinnville, OR 97128-4523).
- Donate! Send checks made out to “Protect Grand Island Farms” to Protect Grand Island Farms, P.O. Box 1803, McMinnville, OR 97128. All donations are tax deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your records.
- Write a letter to the editor of your favorite newspaper (include your name, address and daytime phone number for verification purposes)
- Share information about this issue with your friends
- Testify in person at the County Commissioner hearing 9 am, Wednesday, September 29 1 pm, Wednesday, November 10 in the McMinnville Community Center.
Just want to learn more? Join us for:
Bike, Walk or Run At Heiser Farms
Sunday, September 19, 1:00 PM
21425 SE Grand Island Loop
Dayton, OR 97114 (Grand Island)
Enjoy a no-cost family day touring the rural beauty of Grand Island while learning about the proposed Grand Island Rock Quarry. Bike, run or walk the suggested 9.2-mile tour of the island or explore the island roads on your own. (Please, no trespassing.) This is a perfect road for all levels of riders. All roads are either flat or slightly sloped. There is very little traffic. Bring your own picnic. Tables & fresh water will be provided at Heiser Farms, and along the route.
