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Fresh from Crisp Country Acres: A Holland, Michigan Farm JournalLet’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!
What does regenerative growing look like?
We are putting a heavy focus on regenerative growing this year.
What does that look like? THIS!
Planted in between the beds at the greenhouse is oats.
The Green Pathways Between
If you visited the fields by the greenhouse, the first thing you’d notice is the vibrant green pathways between our growing beds. These aren’t weeds or neglected areas—they’re intentionally planted cover crops. Rather than leaving bare soil exposed between our production beds, we’ve established a living root system that works 24/7 to build soil health.
Why This Matters
You might wonder why we’ve dedicated valuable farm space to plants we don’t harvest and sell. The answer lies in what happens below the surface:
These cover crops are essentially “growing soil” for us. Their roots create channels for water infiltration, preventing the runoff and erosion. They feed soil microorganisms that, in turn, make nutrients available to our crops.
I will continue to share more about this as the season goes on.
Thank you for your support! Look forward to seeing you soon.
PS – New this summer is U-Pick Club! It’s perfect for families wanting to share wholesome outdoor activities with their little ones, home cooks searching for the freshest ingredients, or anyone who loves the idea of gardening but doesn’t have the space or time. Learn more about U-Pick Club HERE.
Planting a garden?
The fields are filling up. It is so much fun to see the plants grow. We are seeing the first pea blossoms and strawberry blossoms. All the greens are really popping. You can almost watch the rhubarb grow!
Are you planting a garden this year?
We have you covered! Plant starts are now available at the farm. Here is what we currently have available: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts, dill, parsley, basil, cilantro, lettuce, beans, zucchini, summer squash, pickles, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, roma tomatoes & cherry tomatoes.
Don’t have time for a garden this year, but still want the fun of harvesting your own food? We have you covered there too! We are planning to expand our U-pick offerings this year. More info on our U-Pick club coming soon!
Get your Farm Shirts!
Big news from the fields! After having folks eye our work shirts for years at markets, we’ve finally taken the hint! Our farm shirts are now available for pre-order—straight from our farm to your closet.
farm shirts are now available for pre-order—straight from our farm to your closet.While most folks have forgotten where their food really comes from, you’re part of a community that knows better—and your choices are changing the game.
Our farm shirts aren’t just comfortable tees – they’re a declaration of your values.
farm shirts aren’t just comfortable tees – they’re a declaration of your values.Wear your support for local farms—these shirts tell the world you know where good food comes from. Each time you sport our gear, you’re standing with the farmers who work from sunup to sundown to keep real food on your table and our rural traditions alive.
shirts tell the world you know where good food comes from. Each time you sport our gear, you’re standing with the farmers who work from sunup to sundown to keep real food on your table and our rural traditions alive.
New Spring Collection is now available! Order by May 10 and pick up your shirt on June 7. The first 20 orders will receive a free bag of our spring salad mix!
Join the movement of conscious consumers who understand that every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.
Show Your Support – Shop Now → www.crispcountryacres.com
www.crispcountryacres.comSee you soon!
Opening week at the Farmers Markets!
It’s opening week for the summer farmers markets!
We are ready to get this season started. Here is where you can find us this summer:
- Muskegon Farmers Market | Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 8am – 2pm.
- Trufant Market | Thursday, 7am – 12pm.
- Kalamazoo Farmers Market | Saturday, 8am – 1pm.
- Market at the Farm (5888 120th Ave, Holland) | Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm & Saturday, 8am – 5pm.
Tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, parsnips, cherry tomatoes, rhubarb, green beans, leek, lettuce, salad mix, celery root, radishes, spinach, swiss chard, apples, microgreens, beets & onions.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Eat What’s Fresh
Great news from the farm! We’re excited to announce that we are now harvesting 3 new crops:
- Cherry Tomatoes – These sweet gems are bursting with flavor! Perfect for salads, snacking, or a quick pasta dish.
- Cucumbers – Grown in the greenhouse – these cucumbers are delicious a great addition to your spring salads.
- Rhubarb – The first spring treat has arrived! Great for pies, crisps or sauce.
You can find these fresh items at the markets this week!
Here is where you can find us:
- Market at the Farm (5888 120th Ave, Holland) | Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm & Saturday, 8am – 5pm.
- Kalamazoo Winter Market | Saturday, 8am – 1pm.
- Muskegon Farmers Market | Saturday, 8am – 2pm.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need recipe ideas for your fresh produce.
See you soon!
Mark Your Calendar! Farm Adventures Await at Crisp Country Acres
After testing the waters with events these past couple years, we’ve seen firsthand how much joy comes from watching families connect with the farm.
Those experiences have inspired us to create even more opportunities for you to make memories here!
We’re thrilled to expand our event schedule for 2025 and can’t wait to welcome you this summer. We have planned special activities that celebrate farm life and bring people together. Here’s what we’ve got growing for you this year!
- Party on the Playground + Food Truck – May 24, 2025 | 11 AM – 2 PM: Spring is here, lets celebrate! Plant a lettuce pot to watch grow. The kids can play on the playground with Elsa, Anna & Olaf. Visit the new animals in the animal barn and enjoy a delicious meal from a food truck – ZomBurgers. It’s a perfect day to bring family and friends together, soak up the spring sunshine, and create wonderful memories. This is a free event.
- Strawberry Picking Party – June 16 | 5 – 7 PM & June 17 | 9 – 11 AM: Join us for a delightful day at our farm’s Strawberry Picking Party! Hop on a fun wagon ride to our berry fields, pick the juiciest strawberries, and treat yourself to our delicious strawberry donuts from Deep Roots. Bring your family and friends for a berry wonderful time!
- Flower Trail – Open July 2025 **Watch the farm’s social pages for opening date: Take a relaxing stroll through our Flower Trail, surrounded by vibrant blooms and lush greenery. Wander through beds of colorful zinnias and sunflowers, enjoying nature’s beauty at its best. Whether you’re out for a peaceful walk, spending time with family, or capturing stunning photos, our Flower Trail offers a delightful escape for everyone.
- Christmas in July – July 15 | 10am – 1pm: Join us for a fun Christmas in July celebration at the farm! Visit with Elsa, Anna & Olaf. Get creative with our festive Christmas Craft sessions. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the magic of Christmas even in the warmth of July! This event is free.
- Christmas In July – July 19 | 9am – 12pm: Join us for a fun Christmas in July celebration at the farm! Get creative with our festive Christmas Craft sessions and then enjoy a meet & greet with Santa. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the magic of Christmas even in the warmth of July! This event is free.
- U-Pick Produce – Open August & September 2025 **Watch social pages for opening date: Come enjoy the fresh air and pick your own produce straight from our fields! Choose from a variety of fresh beans, juicy tomatoes, flavorful peppers, hearty potatoes, and crunchy carrots. It’s a fun and fulfilling experience for the whole family.
- Summer Picking Party – August 4 | 5pm – 7pm: Come and celebrate summer with us at the farm Picking Party! Start with a fun wagon ride to the U-pick field, where you can harvest fresh beans, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots.
- Summer Picking Party + Food Truck – August 12 | 11am – 1:30pm: Enjoy a fun-filled day at the farm! Start your adventure with a scenic wagon ride out to our U-pick field, where you can harvest your favorite fresh produce, including beans, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and carrots. After working up an appetite in the fields, head over to the Coast Out Food Truck for a delicious lunch.
- Summer Picking Party – August 16 | 9am – 11am: Come and celebrate summer with us at the farm Picking Party! Start with a fun wagon ride to the U-pick field, where you can harvest fresh beans, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots.
We also have the fall events planned out, but this list is long enough for now. 🙂
Make sure to follow along on our social pages for all the details on the events as they get closer. You also check out the events page on our website.
events page on our website.Our Favorite Crunchy Lettuce Salad
There’s nothing quite like the crisp, refreshing taste of just-harvested lettuce, and we’re excited to share that our greenhouses are bursting with beautiful greens right now!
Looking for a simple way to showcase these beautiful greens? Try this family-favorite Crunchy Lettuce Salad that lets the farm-fresh flavors shine:
Crunchy Lettuce Salad
Ingredients:
8 cups lettuce
6 slices bacon (fried and crumbled).
1/3 cup chow mien noodles
¼ cup almonds
2 tsp. sesame seeds
2/3 cup oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
2 Tablespoons White Vinegar
Directions:
- Toss lettuce and bacon in bowl.
- Bake chow mien noodles, almonds and sesame seeds in the oven at 350 degrees for 7 minutes.
- In a jar with lid combine and shake: oil, pepper, sugar, vinegar and salt.
- Just before serving toss all together and add dressing.
Where to Find Our Lettuce:
- Market at the Farm: Open Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm & Saturday, 8am – 6pm.
- Muskegon Farmers Market: Saturday, 8am – 2pm.
- Kalamazoo Winter Market: Saturday, 8am – 1pm.
Stop by and say hello this week – we’d love to help you choose the perfect lettuce for your family meals!
Spring is here! See some proof at the farm.
The weather has been all over the place, and I know those sudden cold days can be such a letdown when we’re all craving consistent warmth. I wanted to share some photos from the farm this week as living proof that spring really IS happening, despite what the thermometer might say some mornings!
The tomatoes are looking great!
The photo on the left shows Joaquin and Lucio clipping and pruning the tomatoes. As the tomatoes get taller the ladders are needed to reach the top of the plants.
The photo on the right shows the second group of tomatoes. I love looking down the rows and seeing all of those beautiful blossoms!
Photo on the left shows a busy bee on a cucumber blossom. Are the yellow blossoms stunning?!
I took the photo on the right while laying down on the greenhouse floor. I love to look up at the bean plants and see them reaching the top of the greenhouse. These bean plants grow up on the strings all by themselves, we don’t need to clip them.
You will start to see cucumbers & green beans from the greenhouse very soon!
We are always checking on the roots of the plants. The roots give us a clue as to how the plants are doing. The photo on the left is of swiss chard plants that will be heading to the field very soon. A few things we look for: How many roots are there? What color are they? Are there any fine “micro” hairs on the roots? These plants look great. Plus, we get to see a bit of color with the chard roots!
Abigale worked on transplanting the first group of tomatoes and peppers last week. The peppers are moved from smaller cells to larger containers where they will grow until we transplant them one more time into the field.
We did some planting in the field last week. A few more beds of onion sets were planted. We also got the first potatoes planted in the field!
You can find us at the Kalamazoo Winter Market, Muskegon Farmers Market and our Market at the Farm in Holland each week! Learn about all of the details here.
That’s all for now! We look forward to seeing you this week!