Farm Visit: Kings Hill Farm

This previous week I was able to take part in an amazing opportunity here at Michael Fields. The basic program is providing students with the opportunity to go work, live and learn from other farm operations around the state. I chose Kings Hill Farm, near Mineral Point, WI. Kings Hill a very large farm compared to our operation here at Michael Fields. They have forty acres in annual vegetable production and lots of perennial/ permaculture designs are in the establishment phase. This opportunity was an amazing way to see what other farms are doing, how the manage their fields, market their produce and utilize their employees. This week also taught me a great deal about working on a large farm, including the energy and commitment that is needed to make it through the days.

CSA Week 10

French Green Beans

Green Beans

Dragon Tongue Beans

Royal Burgundy Beans

Carrots

Cucumbers

Red Currants

Green Leaf Lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce

Zucchini and Zephyr Squash

Fresh Walla Walla Onions

Parsley

Raspberries

Kale(Green, Red and Lacinato)

Swiss Chard

Celery

Red Cabbage

CSA Week 9

Apricots

French Green Beans

Green Beans

Dragon Tongue Beans

Royal Burgundy Beans

Red and Golden Beets

Cucumbers

Red Currants

Green Leaf Lettuce

Zucchini and Zephyr Squash

Fresh Red Onions

Purple and Genovese Basil

Cilantro

Dill Pickles Recipe

Ingredients:

Pickling Cucumbers

Dill Flowers

Water

White Vinegar

Sea Salt 

Cream of Tartar

Steps:

Making the Brine:

Combine 9 1/2 cups of water, 4 1/2 cups vinegar and 1 cup salt in a stock pot and bring to a boil.

Filling the Jars:

Place one dill flower and 1/8 tsp. of cream of tartar at the bottom of every jar

Fill with cucumbers, and add one more dill flower on top

Fill jars with brine solution, 1/4 inch below the rim

Close the lids and let jars sit for 4-6 weeks

Chocolate Mint Raw Milk Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup whole raw milk

2 cups raw cream

1 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

2 cups fresh chocolate mint

1 tsp organic vanilla extract

Steps:

Whisk egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar together

Place 1 cup milk and 2 cups chocolate mint in a sauce pan

Heat to just below boiling, milk should just begin to steam (don't let milk boil or milk will curdle)

Remove from heat and stir in egg yolks mixture along with remaining sugar

Simmer on low heat until mixture thickens (about 5 minutes)

Turn off heat and and run mixture through a fine sieve

Stir in cream and vanilla extract

Add entire mixture to ice cream maker and let it churn for 20-30 minutes

Transfer to another container and place in freezer for at least 1 hour

CSA Week 8

Green Summer Crisp Lettuce

Zucchini Squash 

Zephyr Squash

Leaf Fennel

Curly or Flat Leaf Parsley 

Cucumbers

Fresh Walla Walla Onions

Red Currants

Golden Beets

Green Beans

French Style Green Beans

Swiss Chard

CSA Week 7

Red Summer Crisp Lettuce

Green Summer Crisp Lettuce

Zucchini

Zephyr Summer Squash

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Red Beets

Cutting Celery

Basil

Cilantro

Swiss Chard

Red Kale

Green Kale

Lacinato Kale

Purple and Green Kohlrabi

Green Cabbage

Fresh Red Onions