We got some bad news this week
- Victoria & Randy Rogowski
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
STORIES & UPDATES
This week, you're all receiving delicata squash. The delicata squash got its name from its tender, edible "delicate" skin. It's also known as a sweet potato squash because of its similar look and sweet taste. Use it as you would a sweet potato or butternut squash. No need to peel it unless you want to. Many recipes consist of leaving the skin on.
Randy is now officially in clean up mode, especially because we got a hard frost last Thursday. Here's a photo of him harrowing.
This is where the first crop of tomatoes was. After we remove the stakes and twine, Randy mows the plants down, plows them under, and harrows the soil. He seeded a ton of winter rye for cover crop this week. I'm not sure if he was exaggerating, but he told me he seeded half the farm this week. It's still warm enough for it to germinate in time to hold the soil before the winter comes.
Since Daylight Savings Time ended, we have to wrap up our work by 5 p.m. It gets harder to wash greens in the bitter cold - your hands freeze! Randy winterized a lot of pipes and machinery on Thursday. It's an extra step the next day. On Friday, Eric went to turn the main water line on and Randy called him frantically to say, "Make sure you connect the hoses in the greenhouse first, otherwise it'll flood!!!"
Meanwhile, I presented in preschool classrooms this week. The best part is always playing “Name that Veggie” where I reveal uncommon things we grow. The students are so curious and engaged! I’m thankful to still be in a teaching role even though I’m no longer a classroom teacher.
The saddest news of the week is that on Friday we got the call that the grant funding used to purchase our produce for distribution to low income residents in Bridgeport was cut. We were shocked to hear this because we were just a few weeks away from completing the 3-year project. We aren't exactly sure why this decision was made as the grant funding comes from the state. We are hopeful that we can continue this type of work in the future, but for now, we will continue to donate as much produce as we can.
You all came through on our box request, and we are all set at this time! We'll let you know if we eventually need more to finish out our season. Thank you so much.
UPCOMING EVENTS
On Saturday, November 15th from 10-11 a.m. we're hosting a Thanksgiving "gleaning" of our fields.
Gleaning is a term that means harvesting excess produce. Join us for an hour of volunteering. You'll physically harvest alongside us specifically for donation.
Real Food CT will then deliver our bounty to local food pantries in our area.
This is a wonderful way to give back to our community! Kids are absolutely welcome - even if they only harvest one single leaf of kale, this a powerful chance to have them part of something big!
Details (including which of our locations) will be published the week before. This will be rain or shine unless conditions are dangerous.
Pick-your-own has concluded for the 2025 season. Thank you for making beautiful memories with us at The Fields at Laurel Glen Farm!
The Shelton and Monroe Farmers' Markets have concluded for the season. We're grateful to our market customers, crew member Steve, and the market managers for another great year.
STORE INFORMATION
Here is the fresh produce we plan to have in stock while supplies last (through Friday, November 14th):
Acorn squash
Arugula
Bok choy
Broccoli
Broccoli rabe
Brussels sprouts
Butternut squash
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery (leafy variety)
Collard greens
Delicata squash
Escarole
Garlic
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Mashed potato squash
Mustard greens
Napa cabbage
Onions
Parsley
Potatoes
Radishes
Romaine
Salad turnips
Spaghetti squash
Sweet potatoes
Swiss chard
Tokyo bekana
CURRENT STORE HOURS:
Monday: 10:30 to 4 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
VEGETABLE SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
EXTENDED SEASON WEEK 29 OF 32
(Tuesday, November 11th through Saturday, November 15th)
Share Contents (Listed approximately from shortest shelf life to longest)
Large:
1 head of lettuce
1 bunch of tatsoi
1 bunch of Swiss chard
1 head of cabbage
1 lb. of carrots
2 delicata squash
1 free choice item: TBD
Small:
1 head of lettuce
1 bunch of tatsoi
1 head of cabbage
1/2 lb. of carrots
1 delicata squash
1 free choice item: TBD
Storage tips and recipes for all of the vegetables in this week's share can be located on our website, here.
Vegetable Subscription Pickup Policies
All pickups must take place within store operating hours. For many reasons, we can't leave shares outside the store. Pickup days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
If you need to skip your share for the week, or change your pickup day, you must provide us with 48 hours' notice for any of the options below. This is because we pack shares the day before pickup. Once your share has been harvested and packed, we can not change or cancel your pickup.
For Tuesday pickups being changed, we need to know by Sunday.
Wednesday pickups, we need to know by Monday.
Saturday pickups, we need to know by Thursday.
You have the option to choose another pickup day in a given week: we offer share pickup on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday only.
You can skip a pickup and receive a double the following week.
If you miss your pickup, we will hold your share for 24 hours after your pickup day, and then it will be donated to a local food pantry. With more members than ever before, we don't have the cooler space to hold onto shares longer than this. This is a great option if you accidentally miss your pickup - just come the next day.
You can always send a guest to pick up in your place by simply notifying us of their name.
Please send us an email to laurelglenfarm@gmail.com 48 hours before your anticipated pickup in order to make a change. You must submit your request in writing in order to leave a paper trail. This allows you to show proof to our store staff at pickup in the event that we need clarification.
If a share is picked up outside of your scheduled time (aside from an approved change) or the 24 hour holding period, you will be billed for an additional share.