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THIS WEEK’S FRUIT
Tarocco Blood Oranges
A beautiful orange to deep red flesh is revealed when you slice open a Tarocco. The flesh of the blood orange is firmer and more dense than an orange and its flavor is a little more tart. These beauties sweeten and darken in color as the season progresses. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Navel Oranges
Olsen Organic Farm, Lindsay, CA
California Navel Oranges are considered to be the best Navels for eating out of hand. They have a thick skin that is easy to peel, are seedless, and have a meaty and sweet flesh that makes them a perfect snack. Navels are also great for juicing and cooking. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Pink Grapefruit
Sundance Natural, Oceanside, CA
The Grapefruit is said to cross between the Jamaican sweet orange and the Indonesian pomelo, first documented in 1750. The Pink Grapefruit is the most palatable variety, with a mildly tangy sweetness especially great for juicing. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Hayward Kiwi
Chieci Farm, Live Oak, CA
Originally known as the Chinese gooseberry due to its Chinese origins. Hawyward Wright, a New Zealand nurseryman propagated his plants by grafting and they eventually became the preferred cultivar of growers due to their sweet flavor and thin skin. Ready to eat when they yield to gentle pressure. Store these on the counter for 4-5 days. Refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Fuji Apples
Cayuma Orchards, New Cayuma, CA
Fujis are a cross between Red Delicious and Ralls Janet, an heirloom apple dating back to Thomas Jefferson. Fujis are loved by many for their crisp, sweet, and juicy character. Store on your counter out of direct light for 4-5 days. Refrigerate after to maintain crispness.
Pink Lady Apples
Cayuma Orchards, New Cayuma, CA
A cross between the Golden Delicious and Lady Williams, the Pink Lady is a crisp and juicy apple with a tart finish. Pink skins and a creamy white colored flesh that resists browning makes, this an excellent apple for salads and slicing. Store on your counter out of direct light for 4-5 days. Refrigerate after to maintain crispness.
A NOTE FROM SARAH
Where’s all the Rain?
Dear CSA Members,
This is the first time since 1976, when Farmer Al purchased his first 13 acre parcel that we have irrigated in January. It is the driest year on record so far. What does this mean? Obviously everyone is talking about climate change. And yes, it appears that is exactly what is happening. But what does it mean to YOU? To US, Frog Hollow Farm?
Starting up an irrigation system that has lain dormant for months is a challenge, to say the least. Our Ground Team has to walk down each row of trees checking for holes in the system. The hoses (we have a micro sprinkler system which is very efficient in delivering water directly to the roots where it is used most effectively by the tree) have been chewed on by critters looking for the water they can smell in them from our last irrigation back in October. The skunks, squirrels, raccoons and coyotes are as desperate for water as our trees are. We have never in 38 years seen this. It is such an issue, Al had to pull 4 Tree Team members to assist the Ground Team with the repairs. And then, to top it all off, we had a power outage which shut off one of the pumps, but there was still water flowing from the irrigation ditch to the pump, which wasn’t pumping, so we had quite the mess. A 4 inch pipe was gushing water for probably an hour before we got the pump restarted. Those 2 rows of trees got a GOOD deep watering!
What’s this mean? For Frog Hollow Farm it means we are already starting the year behind financially. We don’t budget for irrigation in January…or February…or March. The earliest either Al or I can remember irrigating was we think in 1988, early March maybe (it was a looooong time ago)? Then, right after we irrigated, thankfully, the rains came. Every time we irrigate the cost of growing and producing our fruit goes up. This drought is going to impact everything from your meat, eggs, milk, to all your vegetables and fruits. Practically everything you put on your dining room tables will be impacted significantly if we don’t get some serious rain/snow.
I hear the rumblings of politicians saying agriculture uses 90% of the water in our state. Yep, I’m betting we do. Shame on us! Right? WRONG! Would you rather not eat? California feeds our Nation with the food it produces. I, for one (and yes, I am aware I am a farmer, therefore significantly biased) would rather have healthy food on my table to feed my family than have a green lawn. In fact, we have plans to replace almost half of our back yard grass with a beautiful, drought friendly, sustainable patio! And I am one who is very invested in my green lawn. I love it. I work hard on it all year. I love to watch my daughter play with her friends on it barefoot, I love watching our dogs roll on their backs in it on a warm summer evening. I love my lawn. LOVE it. But I am giving half of it up because I am worried this is our new normal. Yes, I know I should replace all of it. I am (not proud of this, mind you) not there yet. Baby steps, everyone, baby steps.
We at Frog Hollow Farm would love to hear from you, our members, your thoughts on climate change as well as your plans for conserving water. Let’s share our ideas with each other so we, your farmers, can keep farming and you, our members and neighbors, can keep eating healthy fruits and vegetables. We love what we do and want to keep putting delicious food on your tables, as well as our own. Let there be RAIN!!!!!!!!!!
