NOTE: In the first weeks of the summer crops (i.e. now!), don’t be surprised if you only get 1 small tomato or maybe just 2 ears of corn or 1 green pepper. You will get more later as the crops ramp up and come on strong!

First, one great opportunity, and one date correction:

1) Henry rarely gives talks or presentations so The Land Connection’s Tour of Henry’s Farm on Monday Aug. 4 is a rare opportunity for you to spend time with Henry and have him show and tell all about what he does, and how, and why. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask him all your food and farming questions! Lunch is provided, and if you’re unable to attend the entire time, you may come late or leave early.

2) Henry’s Annual Farm Tour is Saturday Oct. 11, not the 4th as I wrote last week. Because summer now lasts way into the fall, we are pushing the date back one week. So if you marked you calendars, please update them.

Henry’s been raising vegetables for over 30 years and can answer any question you have about his philosophy and practices. Whether you want to know about farming with nature, dealing with climate change, making a living on a small farm, or anything else, join him on Monday, August 3.

Farm Notes: Rain at Last!

Henry got 9/10 inch of much-needed rain on Saturday, for which we are grateful, and you will see the results in the plump and juicy summer crops in your share this week!

In Your CSA This Week

Tomorrow morning Henry will harvest all of the items below. He is sure that every CSA member will get the 3 items in the first list, but unsure how much of each of the other items are ready. So after the harvest, he’ll figure out which locations get which vegetables — but everyone will get a selection of items from the second list below.

Everyone will get:

Carrots
Onions
Choice of Fennel or Shiso — We’ve been hearing a lot of good stories about what you’re making with the shiso — from the refreshing shiso drink, to a topping for rice, to sorbet! So if you haven’t tried it yet, do so this week, since you won’t see it again for some time. The same goes for the fennel since Henry is harvesting his last planting.

Plus a selection of:

Green Beans
Summer Squashes
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Green Peppers
Sweet Corn — Henry only plants early sweet corn, because when he used to have later plantings, they were always full of worms. Well, since the heat came so fast and furious this year, the early planting is acting like a late planting — and has evidence of corn ear worms. Henry will cut off the tips of the ears where most, and sometimes all, of the worm damage is, but don’t be surprised if you see a bit of munching. It means you can be assured this sweet corn is not contaminated with insecticides!

Food Notes: Shiso Ideas!

Since it’s in the mint family, you can substitute Shiso for mint in many recipes. Here are a few other ideas:

* Fry the leaves in a light batter (Shiso Tempura)

* Chop and toss into an egg salad, beet salad, or any salad.

* Add to soups and stir-fries

* Add to scrambled eggs or omelettes

* Add to smoothies

Here’s a super-simple Shiso Dressing that you can use over your sauteed summer squashes, on a tomato salad, or on a cold pasta salad.

Simple Shiso Salad Dressing

1 tsp grated garlic

Leaves from one bunch shiso

2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp olive oil

Add all the ingredients to a small food processor and blitz until the shiso leaves are finely chopped.

If you are making it without a food processor, finely chop the leaves by hand and then add them to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Whisk vigorously until well combined.

CSA #9 (7/22/2025)