ZJ Farms

ZJ Farms
Susan Jutz
5025 120th NE
Solon, IA 52333
(319) 624-3052
susan@zjfarms.com

Week of July 6 2008                                                                          week 6 Iowa City

The Weekly Harvest

Garlic Scapes    Kohlrabi    Broccoli    Kale    Cabbage   Lettuce    Peas    Collards
Spinach    Garlic Chives

NEWS FROM THE FARM

From a farmer perspective this is a very interesting season. If I remove myself from the anxiety generated by wondering if we will be able to supply all of you with the variety and amount of vegetables we planned to give you, I can view the season from the “interesting” perspective! We are seeing the most unusual things in the field…miniature summer squash plants, 6-8 inches in diameter (3’ is normal) producing a range of squash from minis to mature. Peas that I am at a loss to define just what they are…snow, snap or shell (which I don’t even plant)!  That’s what you have in your bag this week, a “mystery” pea. Oh, I know the variety, it was a new snow pea variety that I tried because it was available with an organic seed treatment that would facilitate germination and with our erratic spring weather we need all the help we can get in the organic industry with spring germination of peas.  I kept checking the peas for readiness which I usually do by appearance and taste testing but they just didn’t look or taste right and it soon became clear that there was no consistency in either criteria and the only solution was to harvest them which we did and now they are yours to figure out!  Stringing and cooking them worked for us, I was less than thrilled with eating them raw.  The good news from my perspective is that these weird vegetables of 2008 are not isolated to my farm, other farmers are experiencing similar phenomena and even the big guys, the corn and soybean growers are seeing all kinds of strange things out in the field this year….so for those of you who are new to our CSA this year, hang in there with us, some crops, including the tomatoes are looking very normal. I just ate my first orange cherry tomato yesterday and saw a red Juliet this morning!

VEGGIE INFO AND COOKING TIPS

Garlic Chives
Also known as Chinese chives, garlic chives (Allium tuberosum), can be used and stored in the same manner as chives. They are distinguishable from chives by their flat, broader leaves and fragrant white flowers.  Garlic chives have a delicate garlic flavor and are used extensively in oriental dishes. Store chives in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to a week. Don't wash until ready to use them, as excessive moisture will promote decay.   Garlic chives make a flavorful alternative to regular chives in non-Asian dishes. Add them to scrambled eggs, omelets, a frittata, quesadilla or substitute them for regular chives in a recipe for herbed bread.  Use them also to add flavor to stir-fries.

INTERN STORY

On Monday we had the opportunity to work with kids from the Iowa Governor's Institute for the Gifted and Talented. Once they arrived we divided them into three groups and showed them how to cage tomatoes.  The kids had the opportunity to be involved with each process, such as hammering stakes, mulching, and wiring the cages. Although it could be hectic trying to direct everybody, much work was accomplished.  It was fun watching others do our work and overhearing some of their comments.  One girl commented that we needed more wires, and another boy promptly corrected her saying, “It’s not wires, it’s pieces of wire.”  We sure appreciated the extra hands, and even had them tackle some weeding before their three hours was up.  It was great to see the interest and willingness to work that the kids had. Some even mentioned the possibility of interning/volunteering in years to come.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and, luckily, the storm held off for us right until it was time to leave.  

KATE’S KORNER
Facts About Food Prices  (Sent to us via Denise O’Brien, WFAN)

G8 leaders meet in Japan on Monday amid concerns about soaring food costs around the globe. Here are some key facts about the issue:

Why are food prices rising?
 Factors behind the surge in prices include high energy and fertilizer prices, a declining U.S. dollar, drought in big producing countries including Australia, rising demand from fast-growing economies such as China and India, high oil prices that have pushed up production costs, and dwindling stocks.

Rising investment inflows in food commodity futures markets and hedge fund activity have hiked prices further.

Experts have also blamed a big push in biofuels programs that have diverted land and crops from food production.

Export restrictions imposed by countries including India and China on rice, and by Argentina, Kazakhstan and Russia on wheat, have cut international supplies.

Actions by large rice importers, such as the Philippines, in floating large tenders to obtain needed rice imports, have boosted prices.

Forecasts:
 Production is increasing but so is demand. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has forecast that total grain stocks will sink to a 25-year low by the end of this year.

 Forecasts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and OECD-FAO say prices will remain high in 2008. The Agricultural Outlook 2008-2017 by the OECD-FAO shows this upward trend:

-- Up 20 percent for beef and pork.
-- Up 30 percent for sugar.
-- Up 30 percent for rice.
-- Up 40-60 percent for wheat, maize and skimmed milk powder.
-- Up 60 percent for butter and oilseeds.
-- Up 80 percent or more for vegetable oils.

Who is affected by rising food prices?
 A recent World Bank study in eight countries estimated that from 2005 to 2007, poverty increased by an average of 3 percent and suggested that up to 105 million people could become poor due to rising food prices, close to 30 million of them in Africa alone.

According to UNICEF, 1.5 to 1.8 million more children in India are currently at risk of malnourishment, as households cut back on meals or switch to less nutritious foods.

 In Bangladesh, 65 percent of a household's money goes on food, in Haiti and Kenya 50 percent, Senegal 40, Liberia 25 and China 27.

 Among rich countries, household spending on food is much lower. For Japan it is 19 percent, Spain 22, France 16, Germany and the United States 10 percent, and in Britain 12 percent.

 In recent months there have been food riots in several developing countries, including some African nations, Haiti and Bangladesh.

What can be done?
 The World Bank has called for a doubling of agricultural aid and more aid money, with fewer ties, for the UN's World Food Program, extra social support for poor people such as feeding people at school and work. It wants seed and fertilizer provided to the most affected countries for the upcoming planting season, a rethink of biofuel policies in rich countries, an increase in Japanese rice donations and exports, and swift progress to complete the Doha trade round.

 The Asian Development Bank has suggested measures such as targeted food subsidies and an emergency food security reserves system, policy advice on export restrictions, price controls and subsidies, and help to ensure farmers have easy, reliable and affordable access to seed, fertilizers, pesticides and credit.

 A moratorium on global grain and oilseed-based biofuels would help ease wheat and corn prices by up to 20 percent in the next few years, the International Food Policy Research Institute says.

 The FAO and OECD, in a report, said more genetically modified crops might be needed to increase food production.

Source: Reuters full story: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/368755.htm
<http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/368755.htm>

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