2/5 Sweet Chilly Greens
Last week we had a rare opportunity to visit the Student Organic Farms at Michigan State University.
Photo By: S. Duquet
They have hoop house after hoop house and are growing some of the most amazing winter greens I have ever seen or tasted.
Photo By: S. Boulton
Hoop houses are unheated greenhouse like structures made of arched tubing and heavy plastic. They can significantly extend the growing season for farmers creating opportunity for economic growth and sustainability. The crops inside rely on the sun beaming through heavy grade plastic as their heat source, which has proven to be wildly successful, even through the harshest of Michigan winters.
One thing we learned on our behind-the-scenes tour is that winter greens increase their sugar production as a cold response; resulting in sugary sweet lettuces, baby spinach, cilantro…anything green you can think of.
Photo By: S. Boulton
Walking around tasting everything in the hoop houses was like being let loose inside Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory. I wanted to fall to my knees with a pair of kitchen scissors and help myself to their Candyland of greenery.
Photo By: S. Duquet
They sell their boutique lettuces, greens and herbs in a local farmers market throughout the entire winter. Honestly, I had no idea that sweet sugary winter greens even existed…so I wasn’t looking for them but now I know about them and so do you. If you find some, buy every last leaf you can.
Photo By: S. Duquet
We can’t wait to return for a visit in the spring to see how these lovely crops grow even more bountiful and expand to outdoor fields. If you have experienced hoop houses or sugary wintery crops, please share.
Have a delicious day.
Tags: compassionate eating, going veg, hoop houses, Michigan State University, Michigan State University Student organic farm, MSU, organic farm, plant based diet, trying vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan wannabe, winter greens
