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Welcome to Week 9 of the CSA season! 

From the Field: The Tractors Behind The Work

Farming takes more than just good soil and weather—it also takes the right equipment for the job. On our farm, tractors are the backbone of nearly every task, and over the years we’ve come to rely on a mix of old standbys and newer machines to keep things running smoothly. Each tractor has its own specialty, and we thought you’d enjoy a closer look at the lineup that helps us plant, grow, and harvest your food.

Planting

When it comes time to get seeds in the ground, we bring out a few workhorses: the Maxim 150, International 756, International 806, and International 656. These tractors are well-suited for the precision work of pulling planters across the fields, making sure rows are straight and spacing is just right. Planting sets the stage for everything that follows, so we trust these machines to get it right from the start.

Cultivating

Once the crops are up, weeds become the next challenge. For cultivating, we turn to the International 856. This tractor is nimble and powerful enough to pull through the rows, working the soil and keeping weeds at bay. Cultivation helps conserve moisture and gives the plants room to thrive, and the 856 has been a steady partner in that task.

Harvesting and Hauling

When harvest time arrives, we shift gears to the International M’s, paired with wagons to haul in the crops. For sweet corn, we use a Pixall Corn Picker, which makes quick work of gathering the ears and loading them for transport. Harvest is one of the busiest times on the farm, and having reliable equipment is key to keeping everything moving from field to cooler without delay.

Working the Ground

Before and after the season, the soil needs to be prepared. For this, we use the Magnum 315, a larger, more modern tractor designed to handle the heavy work of tillage. It breaks up the ground, incorporates crop residue, and gets the soil ready for the next planting. The Magnum’s strength and efficiency make it an indispensable part of setting the stage for future harvests.

What’s in the box?

Week 9 brings a mix of familiar crops that show how steady the fields can be in mid-August. The sweet corn continues to come in strong, with ears that have had the right balance of heat and rain to fill out nicely. At this point in the season, corn becomes almost a rhythm of its own, moving from field to harvest to your table in just a short span of time.

Red potatoes are back this week as well, with their thin skins and creamy texture. They handle just about any kind of cooking you throw at them, from a quick boil to a roast that deepens their flavor. Green beans round out the hearty side of the box, crisp and fresh from the harvester. They’re one of those vegetables that keep meals simple—just a few minutes of cooking and they’re ready to eat.

Green bell peppers and cucumbers return too, each offering their own kind of crunch. The peppers are mild and versatile, fitting easily into stir-fries, salads, or stuffed dishes. Cucumbers, on the other hand, stay cool and refreshing, best for slicing into salads or eating straight as a snack.

Zucchini and yellow squash close out the box, steady producers that have been with us for much of the summer. Their easygoing flavor makes them useful in just about everything—grilled, sautéed, or even baked into bread. They’re a reminder that abundance isn’t always flashy, but it is reliable.

This week’s share reflects the middle of the season, when the crops you’ve been seeing steadily carry on and keep the boxes full. It’s about consistency, variety, and the rhythm of summer harvests that have settled into full swing.