Dirt is Good

I’ve always felt that by growing up on a dairy farm, both Farmer Paul and I have been healthier than the average bear.  Anecdotally we’ve seen our kids have fewer missed school days due to illness.  My theory surrounds getting dirty, being exposed to as much of life as possible, in turn building a stronger immune system.

Studies comparing farm and non-farm kids in Switzerland found similar evidence during the past decade.  And that research is reinforced with new results when Indiana Amish children are studied.  Oh, I know that there are still lots of variables and what ifs, but I think that eating a little dirt is good for you.  My 93-year old Grandma always said that you needed to eat a bushel of dirt before you died (didn’t seem to make much sense when I was 5-years old).

We live in a world that wants everything pristine and germ free. And I too want people to wash their hands before they prepare my food and after using the bathroom.  But I’m not sure that I’m as worried about touching doorknobs or handling envelopes with gloves.  I believe that drinking raw milk throughout my childhood strengthened my immune system and that my son’s many summers of a mud bakery feed his imagination as well as his stomach flora.

But sometimes people forget that our food comes from the earth, grown in soil and harvested covered in dirt.  We have good postharvest handling systems that allow us to cool and wash, but the reality is that there may still be a little dirt on your food.  It’s an imperfect, but perfectly balanced natural world where insects fly and worms crawl, where deer graze at the edges of fields and flocks of geese and cranes come in to rest and hatch their young.  What I am more concerned about than dirt, are the dangerous chemicals that is often used on food not grown organically.  Pesticides that coat leaves and drawn into the roots, that soak into porous skinned strawberries or are taken up by the roots of potatoes and beets.  That’s really what we should be worried about, not soil clinging to the potatoes or a spot on the lettuce.

And in light of that, we’d like to give you an opportunity to get a little organic dirt on your hands. We’re working with a group at the University of Wisconsin Madison to create a monthly JenEhr Farm Mob.  It’s an opportunity to come out and work on the farm.  Tasks will include everything from weeding to planting, harvesting to weeding (lots of weeding J).  The fourth Sunday of each month, 9AM to 4PM.  JenEhr will provide a simple lunch (that’s code for chicken and salad or soup).  If you’re interested, you can sign up now for the next JenEhr Farm Mob, Sunday, May 26^th. (http://farmwisconsin.weebly.com/527-jenehr-family-farm.html

Plus, we’re arranging for you to come out to dinner.  Sunday, June 3^rd is the first of a monthly on farm dinner, catered by the talented staff at 4 & 20 Bakery (305 N. 4^th St., Madison’s east side).  Limit of 40 people, $15 per person, includes three course farm produced meal and a farm tour by Farmer Paul.  5PM to 7PM.  CSA members have first dibs on the 40 spots.  Look for details and reminders on the website later this week.

What’s Good to Eat
This week’s box:

• Lettuce Extravaganza
  Romaine
  Oakleaf
  Red or Green Leaf
• Asparagus
• Hakuri Turnips
• Red Radishes
• Scallions
• Green Garlic
• Leeks
• Mixed Beets
• Black Spanish Radish
• Karola Potatoes (5lb)
• Tomato Puree

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pictures of csa items 050712