Meadow Valley CSA Farm

Last Blog Entry!

2011-02-11T21:45:00.001-08:00

January Honey harvest--How Sweet it is!Winter Season basket on January 26, 2011
Luscious Romaine lettuce!

To our loyal ShareHolders and supportive Friends:

Growing on the Farm comes in all shapes and faces!
That's why we are upgrading our internet presentation. Please accept our invitation to visit our new website at: www.meadowvalleycsa.com
or our new facebook page: Meadow Valley Csa

We think you'll enjoy our new look!

While we're working hard to grow beautiful healthy veggies on the farm, we are also "growing" new-ness on both web spots.
To check our progress, please redirect your attention to our new internet sites!

Merry Christmas 2010 from the Bryce Omer Family

2010-12-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

Here's the short version of a year full of goodness and light!

January--
Summer is doing a
Volcano
science experiment
on the
front porch.April in Moapa--
Enjoying the
great wide open
space of Moapa and
the fresh air of
Spring.
Summer and
Joshua accompany
their Dad, Bryce
and Mom for a family
hike.April--On a trip to Salt Lake City, we visited Lyndy's Grandmother, Allie Fors.
Our beloved matriarch passed away on August 1, 2010. We miss her deeply and honor her 95 years of life.

May--Lyndy and Bryce happily celebrate their birthdays with our
3 youngest children,
still at home- Traci, Joshua and Summer

June--The delicious and beautiful abundance of summer on the farm. Tomatoes, okra, peppers, zucchini and sunflowers.

July--We're on a well deserved family vacation, provided by our daughter, Nicole, at Glacier National Park.
THANKS NICOLE!!
from left: Traci, Nicole, Joshua and Summer

September--Our American soldier son, Sterling, on leave from Iraq, is welcomed home by his 2 younger sisters Summer 11 and Traci 18.

October--
Bryce and Lyndy's eight grand-children, visiting at the Farm.
Top row (from left): Emily 6, Karlie12, Whitney 2. Bottom row (from left): Henry 4, Brandon almost 3, Abbie 10, Whitney 2, Olivia 2, Sam 2.

Other visitors: Daniel's wife, Kara
and their 4 girls: Abbie, Emily,
Whitney and Karlie.

Our daughter Allie, posing with her "goofy-funny" face, her son Brandon and their dog Hope. We loved having them come each week while Allie was our Farm Office manager during the Winter and Spring CSA "seasons" of 2010.

Patrick, our helicopter pilot son,
came to pick Lyndy up for a
fly-ride above and
around Moapa!

His wife, Susie, and daughter,Olivia,in the cabbage patch on the farm. Susie now works as our Office manager.

Our daughter, Corrie and her husband, Matt with their son, Henry at the Omer family reunion.

It's been a year of family and farm adventures! We've learned much about gardening and about abundance. Having so much at harvest time taught us how to store more food in more ways. Plus we had enough to share.

We are happily grateful to the Lord for his bountiful blessings.
We love you and pray you will enjoy your Christmas celebration
and have a wonderful New Year!

Check out our earlier blog posts for more news of our family and farm.
Warmest wishes,
Bryce, Lyndy and Family

Contents for Last Fall Basket-Dec 8, 2010

2010-12-03T11:51:00.000-08:00

THAT'S ITALIAN! is the theme for this weeks yummy group of veggies!
We've prepared a
small packet of Italian herbs (use in pasta dishes, dressings, etc)
to accompany the
Spaghetti squash
garlic
and sun dried tomatoes (use in pasta dishes, salads, etc)
PLUS:
lettuce
green onions
yukon gold potatoes
sweet potatoes
pomegranates
possibly scallop squash

A special Christmas gift
Homemade Peach freezer jam-for our "peach-y" ShareHolders.

Thank you for spending the Fall Season with us!

We love you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Omer Family

Basket Contents Dec 1

2010-11-26T08:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of probable contents of next Wednesday's basket:
3 lbs potatoes
yellow onions
sweet pomegranates
Romaine lettuce
butternut squash
green tomatoes
beets/beet greens
cilantro
green onions

For those who pre-ordered tamales they are $18.00/dozen at delivery.

Nov 17 Basket and Farm Progress

2010-11-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

November 17 Basket Contents:
Large bag of Lettuce
Yellow Onions
Acorn squash
Garlic
Bell peppers
Chili peppers
Eggplant-last of the season
Pomegranates
POSSIBLY beets and beet greens

Bryce designed and built this BEAUTIFUL washing station. Two 40 gallon holding tubs and three sinks along with an industrial-sized salad spinner makes our hands-on veggie rinsing process much easier.
Then a shade cover was added. The blue roofing matches our cold room.

Eggplant, peppers and tomato plants wilted after the freeze of November 10. I actually cried when I pulled out the pepper plants--they gave so much food for us, I was sad to see them die.
Hoop House preparations underway for the Winter Season. Romaine lettuce and Salad mix, Spinach, green onions, carrots and beets are already growing. We want to hear what ShareHolders want us to plant. We look forward to your suggestions. What about these delicious cool-season veggies: Broccoli, cabbage, chinese cabbage, kale, collards, turnips?

REMEMBER TO ORDER YOUR THANKSGIVING BOUNTY BASKET BY NOVEMBER 17.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, YOU CAN PAY BRYCE WHEN HE DELIVERS YOUR BASKET NEXT WEEK. Details are on the previous blog. THANKS!!

Weekly Basket Content and ThanksGiving Basket

2010-11-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Probable Contents for the November 10, 2010 basket:
Sweet Corn-We'll pick what we have and divide it evenly among the ShareHolders

Spaghetti Squash
Tomatoes-We'll pick a few green ones, hoping that the remainder will turn red for later baskets
Green Onions
Potatoes
Bell Peppers
Chili Peppers
Lettuce
Pomegranates
Cilantro

Thanksgiving Bounty Basket
We're Excited to offer this LOADED Basket to help you celebrate God's Great Bounty.

To be delivered Wednesday, November 24th
Pre-order with Payment by Wednesday November 17th
$49.00 plus $5.00 delivery

Contents:
1 dozen Homemade whole-wheat Rolls
Mini loaf of Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Mini loaf of Zucchini Bread
Jar of Pomegranate Jelly
16 oz. container of Homemade spiced applesauce
16 oz. container of Homemade Salsa
Fresh cilantro
Fresh sage- to season stuffing
POSSIBLY Celery leaves- to season stuffing
Walnuts-Fresh crop from our daughter's tree in Salt Lake City
Small Pumpkin
Sweet potatoes
Russet potatoes
Onions
Bag of Lettuce
Delicata Squash-Small with delicate Flavor

Abundant Harvest at Fall Celebration! Part 2

2010-10-30T05:49:00.001-07:00

More fun photos!
Photo 6-Bryce and Lyndy's Granddaughter, Olivia, sits in the swing with "the King" our cat.

Photo 7-The Stump children:
Alec, Teah and Chandler

Photo 8-Raina and Terry Stump

Photo 9-McKay and Rebecca Daniels, with son, Tate.

Photo 10-Our dear neighbors and fellow farmers:
Blake and Kessa Stratton
with children Anna, Avery and Arley.

Abundant Harvest at Fall Celebration! Part 1

2010-10-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

What a joyful gathering a round the bonfire with fellow ShareHolders!

Photo 1-George and Elizabeth Brewer

Photo 2-David and Kimberly Lansing

Photo 3-Bob and Shari Lyman, son Odin
Grandma Rachel Wright

Photo 4-Allison Elliot with her 2 princess girls

Friday NEWS for Fall ShareHolders

2010-10-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

To our Precious ShareHolders: WE LOVE YOU!
We are abundantly grateful for you!

DON'T YOU LOVE THIS PERFECT WEATHER FOR
THE FALL HARVEST CELEBRATION TONIGHT!!
WE ARE SO EXCITED!!
ENJOY POTLUCK DINNER AROUND THE BONFIRE.

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE PUMPKIN.

RAFFLE PRIZES TOO!
5:30-7:30 PM @ THE FARM.

Due to the colder days, the corn isn't quite ready, so we won't be having the corn roast tonight. Sweet Corn will be in your baskets in an upcoming week.

* * * * * * *

Listed below are the probable contents of November 4 Basket:
Bag of Lettuce
Green beans
Moapa Squash--A winter squash variety unique to Moapa Valley--they are HUGE!
Garlic
Basil
Bell peppers
Zucchini/Yellow squash
Eggplant
Okra

2010-10-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

The Farm's biggest event!
2nd Annual Fall Harvest Celebration
and Potluck Dinner
If all goes well, we'll roast fresh-picked corn on the cob!

Friday, October 29, 2010
@ the Farm
5:30-7:30 pm
For ShareHolders and their Guests
Please come!
Enjoy a tour of the farm--see the growth and changes!
Relax around the bonfire.

SHAREHOLDER ALERT:
We will now post on the blog each Friday the probable contents of next Wednesday's basket.
This will help you know what's coming, so you can plan your menu.

October 27:
The green beans are coming on. (We'll pick all we can and divide them among all ShareHolder baskets)
bell peppers
sweet potatoes
onions (RECIPE)
lettuce
zucchini/yellow squash(RECIPE)
scallop squash
Armenian cucumber
herbs-rosemary and sage

ZUCCHINI EGG CASSEROLE

Printed from COOKS.COM

3 c. thinly sliced zucchini, seeds out, don't peel
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped bell peppers
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp. parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. oregano
Dash of pepper
3 cloves garlic
1/4 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs, slightly beaten

Mix all together and put in 9"x13" greased pan. Optional, Sprinkle 1/4 or 1/2 cup sunflower seeds on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

Heaven's View of the Farm

2010-10-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

By Lyndy
Our helicopter pilot son, Patrick, took me for a ride above the Farm. Isn't this beautiful and abundant? We love the vibrance of the plants! We just keep growing and growing!
Isn't this exciting?
We are gearing up for our 2nd Annual Fall Harvest Celebration and Potluck Dinner
Friday, October 29.
We look forward to meeting with ShareHolders for Farm tours, and a relaxing evening by the bonfire.

Our Upcoming Fall Season

2010-07-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Sweet Potato vines for Thanksgiving
Bounty Basket.
For Fall and Winter ShareHolders as well.

Pumpkin vines. We look forward to large, orange
pumpkins for Fall carving, Thanksgiving pie,
Pumpkin pie ice cream
and Holiday sweet bread. YUM!

Our daughter, Summer, age 11, stands in our
Fall field of sweet corn. We intermingled
Moapa squash between some of the stalks.

We've re-planted MORE cucumbers. This is
our 5th attempt for cucumbers this year. The
squash bugs have destroyed all previous
plantings.
We are abundantly grateful that these
plants are thriving!

Spaghetti squash is just beginning to come on.

SUMMER HARVEST

2010-07-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

Searching for hidden
"red tomato" treasure
in a field of green.

Tomatoes: A bite of heaven.

Jungle green in the
shadows of eggplant!

Okra with lovely
white blossoms

Lush bell pepper plants
thick with fruit

Yellow squash plant, still up and growing, keeping ahead of the squash bugs--YEAH!!

Our new cold room,
walk-in refrigerator, where
the beautiful veggies are stored
after harvest.

What's "growing on" at the Farm?

2010-06-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

Abundant and fully loaded tomato plants. Along with bell peppers, eggplant, cantaloupe, okra and herbs, the farm is home to lots of tomatoes! We are so excited!!
A sugar baby watermelon.
Cucumber vines.
Aromatic garlic harvest! Green onions and wild flowers.

Cold Room Progress

2010-06-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

Even though the siding is still being attached, the walk-in refrigerator is fully functional. It's the perfect place to keep the food cold and fresh before we deliver it to our Farm Family Share Holders.

WATERMELON CHRISTMAS TREES IN JUNE

2010-06-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Since the hoop house top was blown off, we used the frame to string up the watermelon vines! When our grand daughters were visiting they said the vines looked like Christmas trees, with watermelon "ornaments!" Gardening can be so creative!

COLD ROOM NEARS COMPLETION

2010-05-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

Begun in March, the 10' x 12' walk-in cold room will be finished this week! The refrigeration unit installation is in progress as this blog is posted.

Latest newsflash! HOOP HOUSE LOOSES IT'S TOP!

2010-05-19T16:25:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 2, along with the furious winds blowing throughout Moapa and nearby areas, a dust devil ripped through the farm, tearing the plastic top from the Hoop House!

Fortunately, the veggies inside are still alive and thriving enough to help stock the weekly baskets of produce.

We welcome our Daughter-in-law, Susie Omer, as the Farm's new Office Manager. She is holding her 17-month daughter, Olivia, with a fresh picked Chinese Cabbage.

Boys Scouts Visit the Farm, Saturday, April 10

2010-04-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Leaders and Boys of Scout troop 490, from Las Vegas, spent the day at the Farm, working to earn funds for Summer camp. The farm looks so much better after their efforts of weeding, and putting up a fence.
THANKS TO THESE HARD WORKING YOUNG MEN!!

2010-04-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

This is our display table at the Clark County Fair, April 8-11, 2010. Along with the Farm's Vibrant vegetables, Pam Procter, from the local Cooperative Extension office and Master Gardener, Adriana Taylor helped put this booth together. It is beautiful!

Preparing the weekly Baskets - Part 1

2010-03-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

Here at Meadow Valley Farm we have a process to preparing our weekly baskets. First we have to pick everything, then we wash most of it, the exception is usually the heads of lettuce that would be ruined if we washed it, then we dry it, then we either bunch it or bag it, then we put each bag or bunch into its appropriate basket.
Picking the spinach.
Picking the romaine lettuce.
This is the spinach in the wash basin getting its soak before getting thoroughly washed.
Spraying off the romaine lettuce before giving it the soak. It too gets thoroughly washed several times before getting dried.

Preparing the weekly Baskets - Part 2

2010-03-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

The fresh picked Carrots waiting to be washed off.
Bryce & Lyndy washing the carrots.
This is our dryer for all the leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, collards, and many more.
A whole table filled with dried lettuce waiting to be bagged.
This is the other table filled with dried spinach, it is also waiting to be bagged.
A bunch of washed green onions ready to go into the baskets.
Bagging the spinach!
Bagging the Lettuce!
Into the baskets go the beets, carrots, chinese cabbage, & collards.
Deliciously aromatic bunch of herbs including sage, yellow-leaf sage, catnip, and parsley. These bunches went into the baskets last so they would not get squished.

Winter Season 2010

2010-02-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

A Large view of the inside of our whole hoop house! It has been doing absolutely wonderfully!
Budding Broccoli peeks its head over the leaves! We are excited to be able to give broccoli in our baskets in the next few weeks.
Up close view of our lettuce & carrot row... LOTS of both of these goodies!

Our Winter 2010 Season has been very bountiful! Our Hoop house and our greenhouse have contributed greatly to the success of our crops. Pictured above is our most recent basket, included, Left to right, Lettuce, spinach, carrots, cilantro, collards, mesclun mix, endive and last but not least Huge turnips :)

New Greenhouse!

2010-02-09T13:15:00.001-08:00

A Beautiful shot of our Greenhouse.

This is the inside of our new Greenhouse that we absolutely love! This is one of our first pictures of the greenhouse with its tables and citrus trees.

This is a later picture where we have moved all our freshly planted seedlings into the greenhouse. In order to keep them nice and warm at night we have some lights that shine on them.

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-02T14:32:00.000-08:00

Peaceful Full Moon rises over Meadow Valley Farm, to welcome in a New Year!

On the left of photo, our hoop house planted with veggies for the Winter season baskets. On the right,veggie field with protective row cover blanketing the plants from the frosty-cold and the birds.

Inside the hoop house, the center rows are prepped for new planting of broccoli, cabbage, carrots, spinach, beets, swiss chard, lettuce.

Hosanna for our HOOP HOUSE!!

2009-11-11T18:19:00.001-08:00

HOORAY!!! We are so excited that our hoop house is operational! Thanks to the engineering efforts of Bryce and hard work of the whole family, it is all set! YEAH!

Notice the veggies already growing! These are for the Winter Season.

We love fresh grown, healthy food!

We love our Shareholder-Family-Friends!

We love our American Freedom!

We are THANKFUL for these many blessings!

October 24, 2009--Fall Harvest Celebration

2009-11-11T17:51:00.000-08:00

Our Fall Harvest and Grand Opening Celebration included the delightful music of Zila Johnson.

Shareholders: Janelle and Kyle Wilcox

Our Moapa Shareholders: Rachel Wright(sitting), daughter, Shari Lyman and grandson, Odin

The O'Meara Family

Diana Lalor, sitting on the hale bales around the corn roasting fire pit.

We enjoyed a delicious menu of potluck food and fresh-picked, fresh-roasted corn. The weather was great and the friendshipping was even better. All around fun at the farm evening!

FARM BABIES

2009-09-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

With abundant mothering and TLC, Lyndy has been growing tomato, bell pepper and eggplant starts for our upcoming 30 x 100 foot green house.

There are 6 varieties of tomatoes, over 100 plants, 2 kinds of peppers and 2 types of eggplants.

AUGUST SUNSHINE-SEPTEMBER RAIN

2009-09-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

The pepper plants grow thick and heavy with fruit due to
the cooler nights and humid days.

More than 15 rows of corn getting higher--dancing in the rain.

Facing the west, here is an overview of the 40-plus crop rows
including corn, pumpkins, 4 kinds of squash, 4 kinds of melons,
cucumbers, onions, radishes, beets, 6 kinds of lettuce, carrots,
ornamental gourds, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, flowers and
herbs. We can't wait to SHARE with our Farm Members!

Ripening watermelons get bigger every day!

Delicious, sweet and juicy! YUMMY!

FARM UPDATE--JULY and AUGUST

2009-08-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

The Fall Corn is well on it's

way to harvest!

The busy bees are

making life SWEET!Happy piggies!

We are grateful to be growing and working on the Farm.

We humbly enjoy God's RICH bounty, and feel blessed to share with our community.

OUR WELL WATER! Liquid Sunshine!

2009-08-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

We successfully downed a 60-foot pipeline!

The pump works!! YIPEE! Coooooool water!
We did it!!

Bryce dug 4-foot deep trenches for the

farm's pipe lines.

Water will feed the field and hoop houses.

Irrigating the newly sown buckwheat field.

LUSH Buckwheat enriches the soil and adds

lots of organic green nutrition!! Healthy food!!

Summer Happenings at Meadow Valley Farm

2009-07-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

Bryce and his trusty John Deere plowed the field in preparation for planting our fall vegetables.

Water lines are in progress.

The Garden

In my mind I'll plant and sow.

In my heart I'll bloom and grow

In my face true beauty glow.
Then with my feet,

God's path I'll go.

By Lyndy

2009-06-04T14:39:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day, May 25, 2009

2009-05-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

Progress is deliciously beautiful and healthful! We picked our first bell pepper, along with sante fe grande and cubanelle peppers, green onions, carrots, beets, chard, buttercrunch lettuce, basil and parsley to put in the Lyman family basket. We had a bonus of Red, White and Blue wild flowers for Memorial day bouquet. We remember the brave patriots who sacrificed themselves for our freedoms.

God bless America!

Little Miracles

2009-03-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Its amazing to watch the progress of plants grow. The process is slow and yet so awe inspiring! As our little plants begin to take root in the soil and the leaves spread and take in sunshine they grow! Just like that! It only takes us a very few minutes each day to water, weed and look over our plants and they do all this work so we can reap the benefits in only a few short months. Our strawberries are growing so well, they are the first to have some blossoms and even one small beginning of a delicious fruit. The tomato plants are getting nice and big and our onions have begun to take to the soil. We have 3 different kinds of onions growing, red ones, white ones, and walla-walla onions. And if the walla-walla onions don't get big then we will have green onions instead. All the other vegetables are doing wonderful as well and we can't wait for them to get to the point where we can harvest!! All is going well here and we hope all is well for everyone reading this blog :)

Getting Started

2009-03-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

We are so excited! Things are really coming together for our new farm. People are showing positive interest, wanted to know what a CSA farm is and what it all entails. Our starter plants are coming along wonderfully as well, we have peas, eggplant, strawberries, radishes, tomatoes, potatoes, and etc. Some are not doing super well, but we have high hopes that with a little more love and care they will perk back up and thrive. We have our first fencing up to keep the rabbits out and we have our first ladybugs keeping watch over our garden. We have our first shareholders and we are extremely excited that things are moving forward so well and is continueing to be very promising.

A Friendly Farm for You

2009-02-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

The Meadow Valley CSA Farm is located in rural Moapa, NV on a small 2 acre family farm. This farm has great potential to expand as large as 20 acres! We are a brand new family owned and operated farm that is making the land more cultivated and used. As a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm we need YOUR help to make this beautiful land a productive farm.

WHY become a shareholder?

Being a member of a CSA is a GREEN way for you to:

Have a positive impact on the community.
Increase beauty in Nevada’s rural area of Moapa.
Utilize earth-friendly, natural resources.
Promote self-reliance.
Provide locally-grown, fresh vegetables for your family at a competitive price.
Redirect your grocery dollars into the neighborhood economy.

HOW does it work?

Very simply, you, as the shareholder agree to receive a weekly basket of various locally grown, fresh-picked veggies, herbs, flowers, and a regular e-newsletter with recipes and farm progress, in exchange for a commitment—paid in advance. Each equally-filled basket feeds 2-5 people.

We, as the farmers, agree to put up the land and water. We are also willing to do all the farm work. We are excited to include the expertise of our successful farmer-partner William DeMille.