Dear Friends, The month of May has blessed The Farm with blooms, berries, and babies! The mayhaws have been harvested for the year, and now blackberries are coming on strong. We watch the muscadines and blueberries, anticipating bountiful harvests in several years. Please say hello to our newest farm babies: - Pineywoods bull calves Huey, Dewey, and Louie
- Okee, a mule (male mules are called Johns) born on May 31st.
- More turkey poults plus — a new addition to the farm — Pilgrim geese!
As our animal numbers grow in the most adorable ways, we continue to make room for all the breeds we work to conserve. In May, we fenced in two more pastures for the Pineywoods cattle so they can enjoy natural forage that their rumens developed to digest. Our eyes always view outward and upward as we imagine more and better spaces for our animals, cabin owners, employees, and community members. Warm regards, Marissa Ames General Manager, The Farm at Okefenokee |
|
In June, lot owners can look forward to fresh Farm produce, even though they’re still waiting for cabin construction! Our Farm Box deliveries start rolling — literally — with Folkston resident Frank Pramik behind the wheel. Watch for Frank and the Farm van as he drops blue coolers of the freshest, healthiest organic ingredients at residences. A military veteran and a retired Department of Defense employee, Frank now helps us in valuable ways, which include cooking delicious food during our Farm events and leaving our idyllic countryside to move produce through city streets. His daughter, Nicole, supervises the gardens and grows the beautiful produce for the boxes. Contents will vary, but June brings tomatoes, blackberries, sweet and hot peppers, summer squash, fresh parsley and oregano, honey, and sourdough bread. Employee Spotlight: Dan Wilson During the month when we welcomed the long-awaited mule foal Okee, we must also recognize the work and attention that Mr. Dan Wilson dedicated to care of the mare, Ana, and her baby. Dan is often referred to as mule skinner, but the term doesn’t do justice to his role at The Farm. A lover of all things equine, he purchases, trains, drives and cares for all of the mules and horses on the grounds. One of 10 siblings and born just 50 miles away in rural Waynesville, Ga., Dan has farm living in his blood. Today he is best known for his entertaining and educational tours done via mule-drawn wagon, a hit with visitors of all ages. Dan thoroughly enjoys The Farm team, but when it comes to favorites, he always prefers the four-legged variety. Value-Added Inspiration: Infused Oils and Vinegars The Farm team took a break away from hard work to create tasty oils and vinegars infused with herbs, blooms, and produce from The Farm. Vinegars are delicious on salads or drizzled over fresh fruits or vegetables. The cold-infused oils are perfect for roasting vegetables, putting a light sear on foods, or adding to vinaigrettes. Many of these creations will go into Farm Boxes for Owners. You can create your own recipes by finding a good base vinegar or mild-flavored oil, adding plant-based flavors, then letting it infuse at room temperature for several weeks to several months. You can add fresh ingredients to the vinegars, but choose dried products for oils to avoid rancidity. For the best shelf life, protect jars from direct light, though we must admit that sunlight shines beautifully through these crystalline jars of artisan products. |
|
Though tomatoes originated in Latin America, and brought to Europe by explorers and colonizers, they have since become popular worldwide. Many locations have developed their own varieties, such as Russian oxhearts and Italian Principe Borghese (the best variety to create sun-dried tomatoes). New varieties are being developed to combine the best flavors, shapes, colors, and nutrients. A Rainbow of Health Benefits: Tomato colors correspond with health benefits. For instance, the red tomatoes contain the most lycopene, a cancer-fighter. To maximize absorption of lycopene in your body, cook red tomatoes with olive oil before using in sauces or other recipes. Heirlooms Reign Supreme: Though hybrid tomatoes can be very plentiful and disease-resistant, heirlooms still keep their crowning glory with their variety and versatility. Many heirloom traits make the tomato healthier for human consumption. Green shoulders, which have been bred out of many hybrid strains to achieve a uniform red color, protect the fruit from sun and pest damage wile also providing the compound tomatine, which binds to cholesterol so we can excrete it from our bodies. One heirloom famous for its green shoulders is Black Krim. (Dr. Mendel Friedman, et. al, 2000) Did You Know: Honeybees do a lot of good for the world, but they don’t pollinate tomatoes. They can’t, due to the structure of the blossoms’ poricidal anthers. Bumblebees use “buzz pollination” by vibrating the pollen up and out of the blossom, which reinforces why we should focus on preserving native pollinators. Farmers who need better tomato pollination, but lack bumblebees, can shake or vibrate their plants to help the pollen move. Tomato Cultivation Tip: Overwatering tomatoes results in bland flavors, while inconsistent watering could mean cracking/splitting during heavy rainstorms. To avoid both of these, pick your tomatoes during the “breaker stage” — the point were you see the first blush of color. Allow them to ripen on a countertop until ready to eat. To speed up ripening, place green or “breaker” tomatoes in a paper bag with an apple, which naturally releases just enough methane to help the fruit ripen faster. What's your favorite tomato variety? Share the details by tagging us on social media using the links in the footer! |
|
We want to hear from you. Comment and share your thoughts. |
|
|