OakWoods Farm News

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Farm Happenings

Hello friends,

Welcome February! Now that we have finally passed through the Persephone period, the days are getting longer quickly and our plants will finally return to actively growing. Elliot Coleman named the term “Persephone Days” for the time of year when daylight falls below 10 hours per day referencing the daughter of Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest in Greek mythology. It’s during this darkest time of the year that plant growth essentially stops. Here at the farm, that period starts November 22 and ends January 19.

Now in February, we have kicked seeding and transplanting into high gear. The high tunnels allow us to get plants in earlier than we could outdoors. We’re thankful.



At market this Saturday we’ll have all kinds of microgreens, a bit of baby kale and spinach. With longer and hopefully more sunny days to come, I expect lettuce mix to return to market in mid-February. The high tunnels are packed with plants just waiting for the sun to return!
 
Be well, stay well!
Karen

P.S. If you know people you think would be interested in news from our farm, please forward this to them and encourage them to sign up at Subscribe Here.

Winter Farmers Markets

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Well, winter is settling in now and all our outer gardens have been put to bed until spring. I am breathing a sigh of relief and enjoying the slower pace of the winter season. It’s a regenerative time for both people and the planet.

2020 is behind us and we’ve been planning for 2021. Doug, Stephen, Mark and I are excited about expanding our protected cover growing space this winter by adding more high tunnels. We will be able to grow more produce for you.

As we end 2020 and begin a new year, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your business and your continued support of OakWoods Farm. I know that you have many options in the marketplace for purchasing produce. Thank you for choosing us. We are committed to providing you with the freshest and best quality organic produce and look forward to serving you in the years to come.

And now on to Winter Farmers Markets…

Although we have slowed down a bit for the winter, and take a break over Christmas and New Year’s, we are tending winter greens in the high tunnels. And believe it or not, there’s still weeding, seeding, and transplanting to do. We’re bringing microgreens, lettuce, spinach and kale to winter farmers markets on Saturday’s at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market. Stop in and chat with us.

Wishing you a new year filled with wonder, contentment, friendship, joy — and abundant good health!

Karen

Doug weeds lettuce in high tunnel 3.

Kale Yeah Baby!

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It’s greens season here at OakWoods Farm and kale is one of our favorite superfoods. It’s one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Kale is loaded with all sorts of beneficial compounds and it works well in dishes from salad to soup. And locally harvested kale is the best! Come visit us this weekend and pick up a bunch at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market.

Here are some of my favorite ways to prepare kale:

Kale Chips. Try lightly crushing the chips and adding them to popcorn. Our farmhouse Cayenne Chili Pepper Salt adds a tasty kick to this recipe. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/kale-chips-51186450

Kale Smoothie. You can be as creative as you want with smoothie ingredients. Green smoothies provide fiber, calcium and vitamins A, C and K, as well as powerful phytochemicals. I like to add a scoop of protein powder. https://www.thekitchn.com/kale-smoothie-recipe-23059434

Kale Salad. Substitute your favorite apple and you can use parmesan instead of pecorino. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/kale-and-apple-salad-recipe-2112013

Kale Pesto With Pasta. Use any pasta you like. Mama JoJo’s has fresh pasta at Webb City Farmers Market. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/kale-pesto-with-whole-wheat-pasta

Ricotta, Kale & Mushroom Toast. I like to top this toast with a fried egg. Mushrooms are available from Salt and Light Farmhouse and Mo’ Mushrooms. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/ricotta-kale-and-mushroom-toast

And of course, Zuppa Toscana. Pick up a hearty bread to dip in the soup from The Bearded Baker or Farmhouse Bakery at Empire Market or from Reddings Mill Bread Company at Webb City Farmers Market. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/copycat-zuppa-toscana-5565099.

– Farmer Karen

OakWoods Farm Response to COVID-19

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OakWoods Farm is taking the Covid-19 pandemic seriously. In this tumultuous time, people need healthy, local food now more than ever. In addition to social distancing, washing hands, and other good practices; it is equally important to eat well and keep your immune system fed, healthy and strong.

Doug, Stephen and I are committed as farmers to keep growing safe, clean, local, nutrient-dense produce for you.  We grow food that helps build and boost our family’s and communities’ immune systems. We will continue supplying our local family’s tables, natural grocery stores and wholesale customers with fresh, local, healthy produce.

We are GAP (good agricultural practices) and Food Safety trained and we take food safety seriously. We are following the CDC precaution by continuing the washing of hands and sanitizing of all work surfaces and equipment that comes in contact with the food that we feed to our community. We have always done this, and we will continue to do so throughout the future.

We know a lot of folks will be limiting social interaction, and so we want to let you know that we have an on-line ordering option with delivery to 3 pick-up locations plus here at the farm. You can always call me to make special pick-up arrangements.

Click here to head to our store OakWoods Farm

Our markets, Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market will remain open and are also working to keep your shopping experience safe. More about ordering options soon.

Maybe more than any other moment in my life, I am grateful today to tend a farm and market garden; what a blessing it is to grow food and distribute it to people to nourish their bodies and their immune systems. It takes on a whole new meaning when the whole world doesn’t make sense.

We can do this!

Always share kindness,

Karen

2019 Opening Day at Webb City Farmers Market

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Welcome Farmers Market spring and summer season! Come and celebrate Easter weekend with us! We’re bringing plenty of organically grown, fresh harvested local greens to Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market. Featuring our OakWoods Farmhouse 8 variety lettuce mix. Plus our spinach mix which contains different varieties selected for taste, texture and color, and a selection of microgreens, fresh parsley and mini head lettuce. Continue reading →

Immune Boosting, Stress Relieving Ginger & Turmeric

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Our farm still has fresh ginger and turmeric. You can pick up while it lasts, every Saturday at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market.

My friend Mary recently shared with me what she did with the ginger she received in her CSA share. She made Ginger, Turmeric & Lemon Honey Bombs! With the arrival of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I found this to be a timely treat. Add a teaspoon or two to hot water, add it to tea or juice, or slather it on bread. This supercharged mix will nourish your body, mind and spirit.

Continue reading →

Chili Seasoning Mix Is Back

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Just in time for cold weather and snow! Got a crowd to feed?  A batch of our chili is a warming meal. A gourmet blend of our farm’s own tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic and blended peppers is sure to please. We have a mild and a hot chili mix. Simple and fast to prepare, it’s a great taco seasoning too.

Pick some up while it lasts every Saturday at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market. Or order from our store.
Continue reading →

Summer Time Zucchini

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Summer is finally here! The longest day of the year was yesterday and everything is growing at a fast pace. Including the weeds, but that’s another story. The long days mean that the zucchini needs to be harvested every day. Here are some that we missed and we ended up with huge squash!

Never fear though because it can be prepared so many different ways. Baked, pickled, battered and fried, or a bowl of fresh zoodles dressed simply with onion, apple cider vinegar,olive oil, and salt and pepper.

We have zucchini available here at the farm or you can find it in abundance at area farmers markets. We are at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market every Saturday.

With a portion of my giant zucchini, I decided to make a spice cake. This is a super simple and fast snack cake to have handy for summer. The zucchini makes it dense and moist. I made two different sauces to top it. For Doug, I topped it with Caramel Pecan Sauce. For me, I made Lemon Sauce. Here’s the recipe. Enjoy! Continue reading →

Homegrown, Small Batch, Handmade

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•Webb City Farmers Market will be open this Wednesday 11-1 so come and pick up fresh fixings for your Thanksgiving holiday meal. We will be there with fresh herbs and a new item this year. Ginger Habanero Jelly. It’s a delicious glaze for roasted meats, especially pork. Or mix with cream cheese for a sweet and spicy spread. Continue reading →