July is here, and what a month to be on the farm! Warm nights bring massive growth to most crops, with many household staples just at the cusp of readiness. Things like summer squash make their first appearance along with carrots, radishes, beets, green beans and cabbages. Favorites like cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers will also begin to show signs of maturity this month. These vegetables provide a rich variety of phytonutrients, which are great for our health and correlate with the color of the crops. Because of this, try to enjoy fruits and vegetables of different colors to maximize those phytonutrient benefits. This makes for some amazing opportunities in the kitchen to share with family and friends. Here at KFB, we have a large collection of recipes that star these July crops. Please see below for a few of our favorites!
Now that you know what we grow, let’s talk about how we grow. My background is in sustainable, all-natural farming techniques. This lines up perfectly with KFB’s farm philosophy. It all starts from the ground down, not up. We use techniques called “living soil” and “no-till” to ensure our soil can sustain growing crops year after year. By utilizing animal, yard and food waste for compost, we “feed” our soil with plenty of organic matter to keep the cycle moving. Mother Nature makes the best soils, which make the best plants. These plants then produce the best food we can put in our bodies. It’s the circle of life.
I look forward to growing with you this season. Please check out our farm volunteer opportunities as we approach peak growing season in August. Don’t forget to support local farmers by visiting your nearest farmers’ market. The phytonutrients are calling you!!
Happy Eating!
Farmer J
