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Critter Profile: Moles and Voles by Dawn Lawless
So what is the difference between a mole, a vole, and a mouse?
Moles have tiny, almost useless eyes. They are digging machines with their streamlined bodies (tiny ears so they don't get them stuck in a tunnel), broad front feet, and stout claws. Since they live underground you probably won't see one; however, you might see their molehills around the farm; just look for ridges near the surface. Moles are 5 to 9 inches long.
The Meadow Vole is our familiar "field mouse," which feeds day and night. It's rounder and has more pronounced ears than the mole. Females can breed at 25 days old and have litters all year long. Voles are 5 to 8 inches long. They can make elaborate passages in grass and in snow.
The White-Footed Mouse is very similar looking to the Deer Mouse. This mouse prefers wooded or brushy areas, but can occasionally be found in open areas. They eat seeds, nuts, and insects. This mouse stores seeds and nuts and nests any place that acts as shelter, above ground or below.
Moles and Meadow Voles can create headaches for farmers because they eat grass and can damage crops. On a positive note, moles can eat many insects and aerate uncultivated soil. Fox, hawks and owls help keep their populations in check.
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Eastern Mole |
Meadow Vole |
White-Footed Mouse |
Have You Enrolled as a CSA Member for 2001 Yet?
The Year 2001 CSA Membership Form was mailed to all current members along with the January edition of the newsletter. Many members submitted their membership forms at the Annual Members' Meeting on January 13th at St. Andrew's Church where they were treated to a slideshow of the farm as it has grown and changed over the past seven years. Other members sent their forms by mail to assure their place in the membership. The current plan is to have a membership of 135 households again this year.
Since we are now accepting new members, we encourage anyone who was a member in 2000 to send in your 2001 Membership Form and payment as soon as possible so that you will not be left out. If you need a copy of the membership form for your household (or for someone else interested in joining the CSA this year), contact Sam Cantrell at (610) 458-8129. |
Wish List
Are you tackling spring cleaning? If you have any of the following items to give away, we could put them to good use!
We also welcome:
Please contact Sam for more details: (610) 458-8129 |
What's for Lunch? by Dawn Lawless Are you tired of giving your kids the same old boring grilled cheese sandwich? Well, here is a recipe to make it more interesting and healthy. The recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks, called Vegetarian Planet, by Didi Emmons. On busy nights, I've made it without the sauce and had a side of rice and beans. Spinach and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Chile Dipping Sauce
Make the dipping sauce: in small bowl, combine the chili sauce with the mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, cider vinegar and garlic. Stir well.
Steam the spinach over high heat for 2 minutes. Let the spinach cool.
Lay one of the pieces of lavash or pita on your work surface, with a short side of the bread directly in front of you if you are using lavash. Lay half the tomatoes across the bread, about 3 inches from the side closest to you. Squeeze any excess water from the spinach, then lay half of it on the tomatoes. Sprinkle or lay half the mozzarella on top of the tomatoes and spinach. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Then roll the bread, starting with the side closest to you, as tightly as possible. Follow the same procedure for the second sandwich. (For pita pocket, fill in same order.)
Heat the olive oil in a large (preferably non-stick) skillet over medium heat. Place the two rolled sandwiches (or pita pocket) in the skillet, and place another skillet on top to weigh the sandwiches down. Cook the sandwiches for about 4 minutes or until they are golden brown, then turn them and cook the other side for 4 more minutes, checking the undersides frequently. Cut in half and serve with a small bowl of the dipping sauce.
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