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Fresh from Crisp Country Acres: A Holland, Michigan Farm JournalPsst… Want to Know a Tomato Secret?
With tomato season in full swing, now’s the perfect time to preserve that fresh flavor for the months ahead! Freezing tomatoes is so easy and a great way to enjoy summer’s bounty year-round.
How to Freeze Tomatoes (It’s So Easy!)
- Wash your tomatoes thoroughly.
- Remove the core.
- Cut a small “X” on the bottom of each tomato.
- Place them in freezer bags and freeze.
That’s it! No blanching, no complicated prep work required.
Ready to Use Them? When you’re ready to cook with your frozen tomatoes, simply set them out to thaw. The skins will come right off.
This Week’s Suggestion: Consider picking up a few extra tomatoes during your visit this week – your future self will thank you when you’re making hearty winter soups with that captured summer flavor!
Here is where you can find us this week:
- Muskegon Farmers Market: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday | 8am – 2pm.
- Kalamazoo Farmers Market: Saturday | 7am – 1pm.
- Market at the Farm (5888 120th Ave, Holland): Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm & Saturday, 8am – 5pm.
Where does food really come from? Find out in our fields!
The summer harvest is in full swing, and our u-pick fields are bursting with fresh vegetables ready for your family to discover! There’s something truly special about letting kids experience where their food really comes from – not from grocery store shelves, but straight from the earth.
Now Available for U-Pick:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Yellow Beans
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Grape Tomatoes
- Roma Tomatoes
- Regular Tomatoes
Cost to U-Pick: $1.00/lb
The sunflowers are finishing up for the season, but there are lots of zinnias and strawflowers to pick! All flowers are $5.00/10 stems.
Why U-Pick?
Watching children’s faces light up as they pull a carrot from the ground or pluck a sun-warmed tomato from the vine is priceless. It’s a hands-on education that no classroom can provide – showing kids that real food grows from seeds, soil, and sunshine, not from packages and plastic containers.
Visit Information:
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm & Saturday, 8am -5pm.
Location: 5888 120th Ave, Holland, MI 49424. Please check in at the market when you arrive for a bag and directions to the field.
What to Bring: Make sure you wear comfy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Don’t forget a water bottle!
Come and make some memories at the farm. We can’t wait to see you!
PS – We have a Summer Picking Party at the farm on Saturday, 9am – 11am. Enjoy a wagon ride out to the field where you will be able to harvest your own produce.
Strawtastic Showdown
CALLING ALL CREATIVE FAMILIES! What: Decorate up to 3 straw bales with your most imaginative design.
When: September 6th, 10am-12pm (decorating day).
Where: Crisp Country Acres – 5888 120th Ave, Holland.
How it works: 
We’ll provide various spray paint colors 
Bring any other decorating items you want to use 
Create your family-friendly masterpiece together 
Community votes throughout September & October 
Bale with the most votes wins a $100 gift card!
We’ll provide various spray paint colors Bring any other decorating items you want to use Create your family-friendly masterpiece together Community votes throughout September & October Bale with the most votes wins a $100 gift card!Important details:
Use up to 3 bales per family.
All creations must be family-friendly.
We provide spray paint, you bring the extras!
Voting runs from September 8th through October 31st.
Email [email protected] to save your spot!
Only 10 families will be chosen, so don’t wait! Let’s see what STRAW-SOME creations your family can dream up! 
10lbs Green Beans for $20 – Canning Season is Back!
My first project for today was getting a load of beans in the canner. My canner is now cooling off and I can’t wait to hear that “pop” sound knowing my work was successful.
I used to love canning when my kids were little, but you know how it is – life just got so busy and I didn’t have the time to do a lot of preserving. But I have big plans for this year!
I’ve really been enjoying preserving food and trying new recipes. I even made my own butter this past weekend. My kids thought it was so funny how excited I was about my little bowl of butter. 🙂
Anyway, our green beans are absolutely perfect right now, and I figured you’d want to know! We’re doing a special deal for the next two weeks – 10 pounds for $20. Whether you’re planning to can them like I did this morning, toss them in the freezer, or just eat them fresh (they’re seriously that good), now’s the time to stock up. You will need to pre-order the beans. 
HERE is the link.
HERE is the link.You can pick up your beans on August 2nd or August 9th at any of these spots:
- Market at the Farm (5888 120th Ave, Holland)
- Muskegon Farmers Market (242 W. Western Ave, Muskegon)
- Kalamazoo Farmers Market (1204 Bank Street, Kalamazoo)
Oh, and hey – if you’re into making pickles, they are ready too! If you are looking for larger quantities, please order ahead.
Alright, that’s all for now! Don’t forget to pre- order your beans HERE.
HERE.Field Update!
I hope this message finds you well during these hot summer days. I wanted to share what’s been happening here on the farm and let you know about some exciting fresh produce that’s ready for you.
Weather Challenges
It’s been an exceptionally dry stretch here at the farm – we haven’t received any significant rainfall in several weeks. While this presents challenges, it’s also fascinating to see how resilient our crops can be. The radishes in the photo below are a perfect example of nature’s incredible adaptability. Look at those extraordinarily long roots! They’ve stretched deep into the soil, sometimes twice their normal length, searching for water far below the surface.
Fresh Harvest Ready Now
Despite the dry conditions, we’re thrilled to share that several crops are now ready for harvest:
- Peaches – They look and smell amazing! I am excited to try them on the grill this season.
- Plums – These plums are sweet & delicious!
- Sweet Corn – Nothing beats fresh-picked corn on the cob!
- Bell Peppers – Lots of green, with some purple & yellow just starting.
- Jalapeño Peppers – Just the right amount of heat for your favorite dishes.
How to Get Your Fresh Produce – Here is where you can find us each week:
- Market at the Farm (5888 120th Ave, Holland): Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm & Saturday, 8am – 5pm.
- Muskegon Farmers Market: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 8am – 2pm.
- Trufant Market: Thursday, 7am – 12pm.
- Kalamazoo Farmers Market: Saturday, 7am – 1pm.
Thank you for your continued support, especially during challenging growing seasons like this one. Your commitment to local, fresh produce means the world to us and helps sustain farming in our community.
Stay cool, and we’ll see you soon!
Regenerative Journey: Diving Deep into Plant Testing
I wanted to share something we’ve been working on that I think you’d find interesting.
We’ve been diving deeper into regenerative practices this year, and one thing we’re really excited about is SAP testing.
You know how you get blood work done to see what’s going on inside your body? Well, these leaf samples are like giving our plants a blood test – we get to see exactly what’s happening with their nutrition in real time. No more guessing if they’re actually getting what they need.
The charts show us how our plants are up taking nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. With this data, we can adjust our approach to work with the soil biology and natural nutrient cycling instead of just dumping fertilizer and hoping for the best.
It’s all about building healthier soil that can actually deliver what our crops need. That’s regenerative agriculture – using science to farm in harmony with nature.
Speaking of what we’re growing – hope to see you at the markets this week! Here is a link with all the locations and times.
Here is a link with all the locations and times.Sometimes the Best Plans Are the Ones That Change 🌻
Last winter, as I sat with the seed catalogs and dreamed about this growing season, I had a vision: towering sunflowers creating a magical maze where families could wander and get wonderfully lost among the blooms.
I was inspired by my own little flower garden by my house, where I’d spend peaceful mornings picking stems for weekly bouquets and sharing armfuls of flowers with friends and neighbors. There’s something so special about cutting your own flowers – choosing exactly what speaks to you, creating something beautiful with your own hands.
I wanted to bring that same joy to all of you.
Well, as any farmer will tell you, plants have their own ideas! Our sunflowers decided to stay closer to the earth this year – they’re blooming beautifully, but they are short, rather than maze-worthy tall. At first, I’ll admit, I was bummed. But then I realized something wonderful: sometimes the most beautiful outcomes come from adapting our plans.
So, we’re embracing what we have and pivoting to something even better – a U-Pick flower field where you can create your own stunning bouquets!
These shorter sunflowers are actually perfect for picking, along with all the other blooms we’ve planted. You’ll be able to wander through rows of flowers, selecting exactly what catches your eye and designing arrangements that are uniquely yours.
Here’s how it works:
- $5 for 10 stems (mix and match any flowers you’d like!)
- Open Monday-Friday: 8am-6pm. Saturday: 8am-5pm
- Stop in at the market when you arrive and let Kathy know you would like to pick your own flowers! She will have scissors available for you. (Please return the scissors when you are done.)
- I would recommend bringing a jar of water from home for your flowers.
I’m excited to see what beautiful combinations you’ll create. Send me a photo or tag us @crispcountryacres on social media.
Sometimes the best adventures come from changing course, and I have a feeling this flower field is going to bring even more joy than that original sunflower maze ever could have.
See you soon!
Field to Table: The summer veggies are ready for you!
It’s officially summer and we are excited to share that some of our favorite crops are now ready for harvest! Take a look below at some of the highlights.
Fresh Beans – This is one of my favorites! We have been enjoying green beans from the greenhouse, but we are excited to add yellow & purple beans! These tender beans are perfect for stir-fries, salads, or simply steamed with a touch of butter. We will be picking them later this afternoon.
Summer Squash & Zucchini – Our summer squash and zucchini are coming in beautifully! These versatile vegetables are perfect for everything from grilled summer dishes to baked goods, soups, and fresh salads.
Colorful Rainbow Radishes – Our radish patch is producing gorgeous varieties in whites, purples, and reds. These crisp, peppery roots are perfect for adding crunch and color to your spring salads or pickling for a tangy side dish. We have also added breakfast radishes this season.
Fresh Broccoli – Our broccoli is ready and is packed with nutrients and flavor. There’s nothing quite like farm-fresh broccoli harvested at peak freshness. We are starting to see the first cauliflower heads too!
Shop at the farmers markets to pick up your local favorites!
1. Market at the Farm – Holland, MI: Monday–Friday: 8 AM–6 PM & Saturday: 8 AM–5 PM. Farm store offering fresh produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, honey, U‑pick fields, playground, and animal barn.
2. Muskegon Farmers Market: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 8 AM–1 PM
3. Kalamazoo Farmers Market: Saturday: 7 AM–1 PM
4. Trufant Market: Thursday: 7 AM–12 PM
See you soon!
Let’s create a 90’s summer!
Remember those summers? The ones filled with simple pleasures, outdoor adventures, and quality time with family – no screens in sight, just pure connection with nature and each other. I’ve been seeing people talking about wanting to create that same nostalgic summer magic for their kids, and I couldn’t agree more!
I have the best memories of picking beans and tomatoes in my grandma’s garden. We loved to eat them right off the plant, filling our pails with fresh veggies to take home.
Our U-Pick Club is the perfect way to bring back that summer experience that we grow up with. Picture this: your family spending sunny mornings in our fields, kids getting their hands dirty, everyone working together to fill baskets with fresh produce, and creating those precious memories that last a lifetime.
U-Pick Club is the perfect way to bring back that summer experience that we grow up with. Picture this: your family spending sunny mornings in our fields, kids getting their hands dirty, everyone working together to fill baskets with fresh produce, and creating those precious memories that last a lifetime.What’s Included in Your U-Pick Club Membership: Eight farm visits where you’ll fill your own half-bushel baskets with the season’s best produce – that’s eight full baskets to take home! From late July through mid-September, you’ll have access to our U-Pick fields during designated hours, giving you the flexibility to visit when it works best for your schedule.
Each week during the season, we’ll send you an email letting you know exactly what’s ready for picking, so you can plan your visit around your favorite crops or try something new.
What’s planted in the U-Pick fields? Sugar snap peas, beans, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, summer squash, pickles, tomatoes & peppers.
All of this for just $140 – that’s less than $18 per half-bushel basket of premium, farm-fresh produce!
There’s something special about picking your own food. Kids love the adventure, adults appreciate the quality and freshness, and everyone enjoys the satisfaction of knowing exactly where their food comes from.
Ready to join? HERE is the link.
Looking for a Unique Family Outing? Try This!
Looking for a hands-on, unforgettable experience the whole family will love?
Come visit us at Crisp Country Acres for our Animal Encounters – where you can get up close with the goats! The first event is happening June 11.
What’s included:- 45 minutes of one on one with one of the goats.
- 1 feed cup so you can feed the animals.
Important notes:
- You can have a maximum of 4 people per ticket.
- Each ticket is for 45 minutes with 1 goat.
- The goats need to stay on their leash at all times.
- You may only feed the goats the veggies from the feed cup.
- Kids must be accompanied by an adult.
- You must stay in the designated area at all times.
Reserve your spot today – appointments are filling fast!