Farm News:

• Tater Planting Time is Coming! People of all ages welcome to plant our red, blue and yellow potatoes at our River Farm. Stay tuned....
• Valentine’s Day Adult Farm Camp, Sunday, Feb. 14, 9-12: Spend the morning getting your homesteading, gardening and farming questions answered by the founders of Green Gate Farms. You’ll get to try out tools, tractor and make new friends. Bring your sweetie for a couples discount.
• We have room for you in our Spring CSAs for Veggies and Flowers; sign up here – https://greengatefarms.net/shop
• Flower Power Workshares: Learn how to cultivate organic cut flowers this spring. Farmer Erin is putting her team together for the season…Apply here
• We’re hiring! Seeking a farm manager and seasonal workers. See www.greengatefarms.net
• Green Gate Gift Cards Now Available! Need something special for your friends and family? Give the gift of fresh, organic food! We have Farm Bucks for all your celebrations.

Attend a Farmer Conference: Tune Into The Real Organic Project This Sunday

By Farmer Erin

Today’s sunny warmth is a reminder that spring is about to erupt. Can you feel the tremors? Nothing quite compares to how spring explodes into being here in Central Texas. As I monitor the soil temperature, I feel a bit queasy, like I’m on a beach where the tide has retreated too far. Though the newly revealed starfish and seaglass are intriguing, a tsunami is heading our way. No time to linger. Soon, very soon, the soil will hit 60 degrees, weeds will emerge and the race will be on.

But, until then, there is one more week of January to savor. Most years, Skip and I spend some part of this month attending and presenting at farming conferences like Southern SAWG, Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. These conferences are so much more than continuing education. We see friends, recharge, and are buoyed by presenters who remind us of the importance of our work. And not just the work of long days in the fields, but dealing with people/systems that actively work against what we do.

Though we can’t gather at a conference this year, ZOOM means all is recorded and everyone can attend. You can, too! So, if you’d like to know more about why sustainable organic farming matters, I encourage you to tune in to this Sunday’s “Real Organic Project.” https://www.realorganicproject.org/

This symposium features farmer luminaries as well as leading activists and scientists like Bill McKibben, Vandana Shiva and Al Gore. I’ve particularly enjoyed hearing from Blue Hill chef and activist Dan Barber, who has started https://www.row7seeds.com, a new ethical seed company.

The conference has also reminded me that food, and especially fermented food, is our medicine. I learned that more than 90 percent of the people who have died from Covid have had underlying conditions of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes — all food-based illnesses. Never has it been more important that everyone have access to real organic food grown in healthy soils.

Winter CSA - Week 4 Veggie Share

1. Cauliflower
2. Swiss Chard
3. Dino Kale
4. Spaghetti Squash
5. Beets - from our neighbors at Middle Ground Farm
6. Broccoli Rabe
7. Spinach

Food and Flower Snapshot

• Winter CSA season, 10 weeks: January 4th-March 10th
• $25 each week, prorated - Shares available! Tell your pals!
• 5 pick-up locations, Wed/Sat; no deliveries
• Additional vegetables, herbs, flowers and specialty items (e.g., pickled okra, plants for your garden, etc.) posted every Wednesday on Green Gate’s private Facebook page; touchless pickup at our east Austin farm (8310 Canoga Ave., Austin 78724) is on Saturdays, 10-noon.
• Volunteers welcome at both farms. More information on our website.
• Got a question about your CSA share? Contact your Community Organizer, the volunteer who manages your pickup site (listed on your check-in sheet) for any issues that arise.

Recipes From Kalina:

• White Bean and Kale Soup - Enjoy your dino kale this week in this simple winter soup! https://www.culinaryhill.com/white-bean-and-kale-soup/
• Spinach Stuffed Spaghetti Squash - Turn your spaghetti squash and spinach into this cheesy treat! https://www.ketovale.com/spinach-stuffed-spaghetti-squash/
• Easy Oven Roasted Beets - Highlight your beets sweet and earthy flavor with this simple recipe! https://www.spoonfulofflavor.com/easy-oven-roasted-beets/

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