By AJ
I have something to say about sheep. And i recognize that I may be preaching to the choir here, but sheep are so intelligent. While we are on the subject, all other-than-human species are so intelligent.
One of my favorite movies (that i revisit each year when we start to huddle indoors to escape weather) is Brokeback Mountain. It’s a story of a couple good ol’ boy ranch hands in 1960’s Wyoming. They fall in love against the gorgeous backdrop of the Wyoming mountains while herding hundreds of sheep on the hillsides. It’s an aesthetically beautiful movie. But something that sticks out to me these last several years, (that i didn’t register when I was younger) is the brief moments when they show all the mens working the sheep. At one point, they are dragging sheep around because their herd got mixed with another. Watching those moments now, makes me cringe. It also embodies how we still, as a species, believe we are the only intelligence worth exploring.
To truly KNOW that we are surrounded by all these other languages of intellect is overwhelming and amazing. And what a paradigm shift it would be to culturally recognize the intrinsic value of all things– from soil to sheep.
In the special features of Brokeback Mountain, they interview the actors, Jake Gyllenhal and Heath Ledger, who had to learn the cowboying they portray in the film. At one point Jake Gyllenhal, quite boastfully, says “sheep are just the stupidest animals”.
Dear Jake Gyllenhal,
Sheep are not stupid. You are. Grow your intelligence.
Open Field Farm 2024 | The "ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW" guide for members
Upcoming Farm Events:
We are closed next week!
CSA Barn Hours:
Winter hours: 2:30-6:00 PM!
Pick List:
Eggs
Sangre Red, Harvest Moon Purple, La Ratte Fingerling, and Yellow Finn Potatoes
Yaya Carrots
Rhonda Beets
Purple Daikon and Watermelon Radish Radish
Rutabaga
Purple Top Turnips
Parsnips
Celeriac
Sweet Spanish Colorado #6, Monastrell Red, and Cortland Yellow Onions
Shallots
Leeks
Red and Green Cabbage
Kossack Kohlrabi
Covina Broccoli
Song Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Celery
Radicchio, Sugarloaf, and Castelfranco
Prize Choi
Kale
Champion Collards
Rhubarb Chard
Lettuce Mix
Arugula
Parsley
Pie Pita Pumpkin
Gil’s Golden Acorn, Tetsukabuto, Butternut, and Spaghetti Winter Squash
Ground and Whole Dried Hot Peppers
Herbal Tea Blends
Pick your own flowers and herbs (from the herb garden and perennial field)
Sonora Wheat Flour
Beef Bone Broth (Made by Olla Products) is back!
Saltonstahl Olive Oil is back!
Revolution Bread for sale on Tuesday and Friday
Italian Wedding soup (coolinarco.com)
1/2 pound ground beef Can also use ground turkey or pork
1/2 pound ground pork Can also use ground chicken or beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs Preferably Italian-style
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Can also use Pecorino Romano
1 egg large, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon dried parsley Can also use fresh chopped parsley
8 cups chicken broth Preferably low sodium
1 cup small pasta e.g., acini di pepe, orzo, or ditalini
3 cups escarole Can also use any of our other chicories!
2 carrots medium, chopped
1 onion medium, chopped
1 cup celery chopped
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, basil, and parsley. Mix until well combined and form into small meatballs.
In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add meatballs and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Add carrots, onion, celery, and pasta to the pot and simmer until vegetables are tender and pasta is cooked, about 8 minutes.
Stir in spinach and continue to cook until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.