The Fall CSA ended well with the last pick-up on December 6th. Many thanks to CSA members: Kathy Ellis, Jim Conrad and Claire Wells,  who helped me pull together the last pick-up. Ken and Grayden were away at the Ecological Farmer Association of Ontario Conference near Berrie, Ontario. Ken gave a workshop at the conference on our Horse-powered CSA. Grayden used his videography skills to make several short videos of some of the machinery Ken has adapted for our operation. I have linked to them here for viewing.

 

 

We also now have an Orchard Hill Farm Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/orchardhillfarmontario

The farming year always seems to end for me with mulching the strawberries. This year is we managed to do the mulching without snow!

Mulching Strawberries
Mulching Strawberries

Here are a couple of yummy soups to try over the holidays:
Kale – Sausage – Bean Soup – serves 5-6

500 grams sausage – cup up

1 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tsp chilli pepper

2 tablespoons tomato paste

4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

2 cups white beans, drained and rinsed

2 cups packed and chopped kale

1/4 cup lime juice

In large pot stir/fry sausage until cooked. Add onion, garlic, chilli powder and tomato paste. cook until onions start to soften 2-3 minutes.

Add Broth and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Add beans and kale. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes. Stir in lime just before serving.

Squash – Carrot Soup – serves 6

1 medium onion, chopped

3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

5 cups squash, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 apple, peeled and chopped

3 1/2 cups vegetable broth

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon groung nutmeg

1 tablespoons maple syrup

Salt and pepper, to taste

Add the onions, carrots, squash and apple to a pot or slow cooker, Pour vegetable broth over all ingredients, Cook on low heat until soft.  Puree the soup. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.