Fresh Connecticut Produce at the Ridgefield Farmers Market, June 2009

Dear Mad Hatters,

Hurray,  the season is upon us! 

This Friday, June 12, is opening day at the Ridgefield Farmers Market (www.ridgefieldfarmersmarket.org).  The market is open Fridays from now until October, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (yes, please note we are open 1 hour later).  There will be a variety of vendors selling vegetables, baked goods, fresh flowers, meats and fish.  Don't be surprised this Friday when you see a really big tent set up - it is for a party on Saturday.  But all the vendors will be under the big tent, so even if it rains a little, its no excuse not to come and shop!

This has been a funny Spring in that there was very little Spring - we went from Winter straight into Summer, and with very little rain (it hardly rained north of Cornwall last week - boo hoo).  From a growing perspective its been tricky because much of our cool season vegetables (arugula, spinach, greens, cabbages etc) have grown too quickly and bolted.  We often plant succession crops, but they are not yet ready.  And while the summer vegetables aren't usually ready for another few weeks, some of them are already starting to fruit.  So, you might say we are having a "saddle" season.  I am certain about a few of the vegetables we will harvest this week, but there are also a lot of question marks.  I know we will have lots of yummy produce, but you'll have to come to the market to find out what we actually harvested.  So here's a teaser...

This week Mad Hatter Farm will have:

Fresh Gorgeous Lettuce Mix

Mild Greens Mix

Russian Kale

Ruby Red Chard

Rainbow Chard

And several of the following:

Beets

Radishes

Snap Peas

Arugula

Spinach

Chives

Rhubarb

Zucchini

Summer Squash

Please check out our website for new farm photos, and hopefully I will get some new recipes up there as well.  Feel free to contact us with any questions and any good kale recipes.  Have a good week and see you on Friday!

Thought of the day:

"The first step to getting the things that you want out of life is this:  Decide what you want."  -Ben Stein

Alix and Jeff

Mad Hatter Farm

135 Music Mountain Road

Falls Village, CT 06031

T: 860-824-7635

alix@madhatterfarm.com

www.madhatterfarm.com