Lydia's Fields at Wheatland LLC

04/27/2022

Good food jobs. :: Jobs :: Farm Team Member :: Purcellville, VA

WE'RE HIRING! Lydia's is looking for two part-time positions for work on the farm and at markets. Prior farming/gardening experience is great, but not a requirement. $15/hour plus all-you-can-eat veggies and the joys of being on a gorgeous farm, an enthusiastic team, and plenty of room to grow into a full-time position if desired. See full job description below and contact James at [email protected]

https://www.goodfoodjobs.com/jobs/154998/farm-team-member.html

We are seeking two additional farm team members for the 2022 season, part-time. Prior farming/gardening experience is a plus, but not required; a good work ethic and strong character is preferential. 

04/18/2022

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR CSA YET?

If you haven't already, be sure to purchase or renew your vegetable share soon. Details, pick-up locations, and payment options for our 2022 CSA can be found on our website www.lydiasfields.com. With food and fuel price inflation, the CSA model is hard to beat. As grocery store prices are expected to continue to rise, signing up for a share now guarantees consistent, low costs for fresh, nutritious vegetables.

JUST ADDED: A new pick-up location at the Falls Church Farmers Market on Saturdays. Just like our on-farm pickup, at this location CSA shares are "market style," which means you can pick out exactly what items you want each week.

2022 SHARES:

- This year we're offering three sizes. As share size increases, not only will the number of items increase, but so will the volume of each item.
- Small shares are $20/week (6-8 items)
- Medium shares are $30/week (8-10 items)
- Large shares are $40/week (10-12 items)
- 29 Weeks of distributions, from mid-May through mid-November
- Each week, you'll receive a list of what's in the share as well as storage tips and recipe suggestions.
- Flower Share add-ons from Far Bungalow Farm are available at all pick-up locations.
- We are always happy to add a pickup location in your neighborhood with a commitment for 15+ shares.

Please note, we are committed to making CSA a seamless and valuable experience for you. If you've got a vacation planned, we'll work with you to double up your shares upon your return, gift your share to a friend or neighbor, or - if you prefer - refund you for that week.

04/18/2022

APRIL FARM NEWS & CSA SIGNUPS

The high tunnels are lush with fresh greens, the days are longer (but flying by), and our team is excited to start harvesting for you. Here's what's happening around the farm this month:

- Tomato seedlings are coming in strong and our earliest varieties will be headed to the nice, warmed soils of the tunnels soon.
- Compost tea - the liquid version of solid compost material containing soluble plant nutrients and a complex community of beneficial microorganisms - is brewing.
- The first asparagus spears are popping up and all of our brassicas are taking root in the fields.
- WE'RE HIRING! As our operation grows and expands, we've added two, part-time, seasonal positions. These team members will help with deliveries, markets, and field work. Prior farming experience is a plus, but not required.

As always, we couldn't do spring without your early CSA sign-ups, that cover early season costs and help us pay our team before market season. Thank you for your continued support and please know how grateful we are.

Read more and signup for your share: https://mailchi.mp/af85fb16c5ce/april2022farmnewsandcsa

04/11/2022

Have we mentioned how much we love our new-this-year high tunnels?

The start of our CSA and market season is right around the corner and we're ready to spread the veggie love and nutrition in our community. If you haven't signed up for a share yet, hop over to our website and grab one soon. We've added a pickup at the Fall Church Farmers Market (Saturdays) and as always, are happy to add a drop spot in your 'hood if you've got a few neighbors who are also interested in 29 weeks of clean, fresh, healthy, local, seasonal eating.

#greensgameonpoint #loudoungrown #csa #knowyourfarmerknowyourfood

https://lydiasfields.com/buy-csa/

03/10/2022

March News From the Farm: What's Growing + CSA Shares Available https://mailchi.mp/65d79f4962b1/marchfarmnews

02/22/2022

It's National CSA Week! Here are 10 reasons why CSA is great for your health, for the environment, and for the local community. Well, 11 reasons if you count our special #CSAWeek giveaway ;-)

https://mailchi.mp/521c7cf6ff6a/csagoatsoappromo

02/15/2022

🍉Sign-up for Lydia's Fields 2022 CSA 🍉

Plus: February Farm News https://mailchi.mp/8cbb15a885d5/signupfor2022csa

02/14/2022

Ever wonder what do farmers do the winter? Infrastructure projects! Well, among lots of other planning, organizing, ordering, equipment repair, and cleaning, of course.

This month, we're putting the finishing touches on our new-to-us high tunnels (special thanks to Barbara and Dennis at Greenstone Fields). Inside them, we'll be planting peas, early lettuce, and early tomatoes.

02/07/2022

🍅 Sign-ups for Lydia's Fields 2022 CSA are open! 🍅

Plus, meet the team and check out what's new this year: https://mailchi.mp/398b37b251d0/2022csasharesopen

01/22/2022

2022 CSA SIGN-UPS ARE OPEN!

Reserve your spot for 29 weeks of fresh, healthy, #loudoungrown veggies from our fields to your table. $20/week for a small share; $30/ week for a large share. Pick up on-farm or at one of our drop spots.

Learn more and join on our website!.

Want to host a pickup in your 'hood? Email [email protected]

Want to add flowers to your share? Stay tuned! We've got an amazing grower offering an add on.

#csa #loudouncounty #veggies #eatlocal

11/19/2021

Happy Friday- we are busy harvesting and prepping for our last market before Thanksgiving. Along with these beautiful red salad radishes we will have kohlrabi, sweet potatoes, beets, farm fresh greens, and more. See you tomorrow morning in Falls Church! #LydiasFields #FallsChurchFarmersMarket

10/29/2021

Trick or treat at the Falls Church Farmers Market tomorrow! You’ll find treats at our stall. No tricks, we’ve still got figs available (limited supply though). Better come early! #LydiasFields #FallsChurchSaturdayFarmersMarket #Figs

10/13/2021

I can never get enough of farm fresh carrots. The colors, the sweetness, the freshness… I’m so glad it’s carrot season yet again. #LydiasFields #HeirloomCarrots #CSAHarvest #LoudounGrown

10/08/2021

Guest farmer Bern presenting our first of our fall kale! Come and get your kale on at market on Saturday. #LydiasFields #LacinatoKale #Kale #FallsChurchSaturdayMarket #LoudounGrown

10/06/2021

When the word heirloom comes to mind in the world of vegetables, tomato is most often being described. But there are also heirloom carrots! I love the rainbow of colors heirloom varieties provide. #LydiasFields #HeirloomCarrots #Carrots #LoudounGrown

09/29/2021

It’s time for sweet taters! We grow three varieties (Covington, Murasaki, and O’Henry). Come pay us a visit at market this weekend to get yourself a sampler of these fall treats. #FallsChurchFarmersMarket #LydiasFields #LoudounGrown #SweetPotatoes

09/24/2021

Our tomatoes may be starting to slow down a bit, but our basil is still coming on strong! It’s that time of the year when you should get your pesto on! Remember that pesto freezes very well and that it is marvelous in the winter to be able to pull some summer flavors into your cooking projects. #GetYourPestoOn #LydiasFields #BasilGalore #FallsChurchFarmersMarket

09/17/2021

Up until maybe four years ago, I refused to eat peppers (of any kind). Now I love peppers. They are all packed full of unique flavor and they are so easy to cook. My favorite pepper is the shish*to. I believe it originates from Japan and it is the most simple fruit to cook! I simply pan fry them until they are slightly browned and toss them in some olive oil and seasoning. Some times I will eat just a pan of them for dinner. Yes- I am easily fulfilled. #LydiasFields #LoudounGrown #Shish*toPeppers

09/15/2021

Thank goodness for farmers market shoppers and CSA members! It’s incredible how disconnected many eaters are from their food. Growing and raising food is hard and it doesn’t pay much. I know that the next thing to come from an audience is why is organic food so expensive? Because it costs so much more to produce (the manpower, organic all natural sprays, fertilizer…). #LydiasFields #GetToKnowYourFoodBetter #OrganicFarming

09/10/2021

Although it’s September, our solanaceae plants (peppers, eggplants, tomatoes) are still producing large harvests. Get ready to celebrate the weekend with a solanaceae soirée! #LydiasFields #Solanaceae #FallsChurchFarmersMarket #Shish*toPeppers

08/31/2021

It’s finally shish*to season (initially I forgot to seed them at the beginning of the summer)! #LydiasFields #Shish*toPeppers

08/27/2021

Oh the colors of late summer! Come visit us at market tomorrow morning to buy yourself a rainbow assortment of veggies. #LydiasFields #FallsChurchFarmersMarket #Tomatoes #Eggplant #HabaneroPeppers

08/23/2021

We are/have been growing four successions (seedlings…) of basil this season. I strongly believe in having basil throughout the summer and as long as our tomatoes continue to come in from the fields. #LydiasFields #Basil #SummerFoods

08/20/2021

Happy Friday! These last couple days have been extremely breezy, a bit overcast, and very wet with rain. Our slicer tomato harvests have been low in number because there’s not enough heat, but we shall have an abundance of cherry tomatoes and other veggies at market tomorrow. #CherryTomatoes #FallsChurchFarmersMarket #LydiasFields

08/13/2021

Guess what’s coming to market tomorrow! Our first significant fig harvest of the season. Visit us at Falls Church tomorrow morning and get some of our heirloom tomatoes and figs!!! The figs sell fast, so come early. #FallsChurchFarmersMarket #LydiasFields #HeirloomTomatoes #FreshFigs

08/11/2021

Jalapeños are spicy for sure! If you’re looking for a new recipe for your hot peppers, here’s a great recipe (mexicanplease.com): Ingredients
1 lb. jalapeno peppers (approx. 10 jalapenos)
1/2 onion
2 garlic cloves
3/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
juice of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional)
8-10 cilantro sprigs
freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions
Give the jalapenos a good rinse and de-stem them.  Be sure to wash your hands after handling them.

Saute a roughly chopped 1/2 onion and 2 whole, peeled garlic cloves in a glug of oil over medium heat.

Once the onion is browning you can add 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, some freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional). Briefly cook until fragrant and then add: the de-stemmed jalapenos, 3/4 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and then add everything to a blender. 

Add 8-10 sprigs cilantro and the juice of 1 lime to the blender. Combine well or to your desired consistency. I usually leave it a bit chunky but you can always blend it thinner. 

Add mixture to three 5 oz. bottles or a small Mason jar. Store in the fridge where it will keep for at least a month.