January and February 2022 created some of the best memories since we became farmers. We experienced elation from a successful membership drive alongside beautiful harvests of quality vegetables. We felt heartbreak from crop loss, and the anxiousness of awaiting forces of Nature out of our control; yet found contentment from achieving so many of our Winter goals set during the summer months. This growing season opened a new worldview and direction for our small farm- now that we have experienced the abundance of the cooler season and realized what is possible using the season extension techniques.
For some folks who signed up for every other week, this might be your last farm share of the season. Thus, we are offering every single flavor of jam we have available for swaps or as an extra. This late in the season, most crops have really struggled to hang on except for leafy greens, and root crops. It's not that it has been too cold, the issue is that it will not stay cold long enough for certain plants to adapt to freezing temperatures. This week, there will be arugula, celery, and kale as extras for anyone really wanting them. We have plenty of carrots, radishes, salad mix, and bok choy. Our carrots store for more than a month, so if this is your last week, you could potentially stock up until the next farm share season begins! We have more extras this week than ever before like Fort Sumner Hot Sauce, local honey, free-range eggs, black trumpet mushrooms, stone-ground grits, and lots of jam flavors! My favorite jams is the elderflower pear jam and the hot honey pepper jam! Both have been really great sellers at market, and are some of the most unique small-batch jams.
Getting towards the end of the season, I'd like to make sure that everyone is clear on the auto-renew setting. If you have joined and become a member of the farm shares, the auto-renew feature for continuing your shares is automatically set to retain your membership status in subsequent seasons. You can access this setting in your Harvie profile.
I cannot predict the future with tremendous accuracy, but I can assure you that we are working as hard as we can to begin the next season as soon as possible. We have already sown salad greens, onions, lettuce, bok choy, and root crops for the next season. Yes, it will begin heavy on greens and roots, but that is what is in season in March and early April. We have a few surprises for y'all too. I have a plan for being the first farm in NELA with green beans and yellow squash. By starting them in a heated greenhouse, and using a tunnel and row cover, we could have those in production by mid-April. We have also crop planned for more purple broccolinis, napa cabbages, new bok choy varieties, potatoes, radicchio, sugar snap peas, beets, collards, purple carrots, more herbs, butterbeans, purple hull peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and so much more! The Spring season extends until July, when we will take a short break, then continue with our first ever Summer share! I don't know if you can tell, but I'm kinda excited about this year!
Between the farm share seasons, we have what seems like a never-ending list of infrastructure improvement projects. We have 40 yards of compost to spread, 115 growing beds to amend, a 90 ft caterpillar tunnel to set up, plus dig a well and revamp our irrigation system. Freeing ourselves from the constraints and costs of the municipal water system is a game changer. Due to water pressure limitations, I can only water one field block at a time. A well will eliminate what I have dubbed "the water dance" of making sure two timers don't irrigate simultaneously, and I can toss the irrigation time charts. Farm share members are solely responsible for financing the well. Without all of you who joined after the season began, we would not have been able to afford it's implementation. This season allowed us to purchase 100 yards of compost, set aside a month of payroll, order seeds and soil amendments, and we have enough money left for the well. In short, you didn't just help the farm survive, you made it thrive. I'm really proud that we have never had to take out a loan for the farm. I think that an important part of our sustained operation is to grow as our market demand increases. Instead of scaling up quickly, we are committed to curating the best possible farm share experience for you.
According to the local weather folks, it looks like smooth sailing until February 15, our last farm share harvest day! I hope all of you enjoy your vegetables this week! Remember that Feb 15 is the last Fiesta pick up, the 17th is the last Dean of Flowers, Urban Farm pick up, and home deliveries of this season. February 19th at the Ruston Farmers Market will officially close the farm share season. Not counting the Christmas/New Years break, those of you who participated in the Fall season and this season received local vegetables for 21 weeks! You should be proud of yourself! Cooking with whole foods and fresh ingredients is not easy!
Thank you all so much for making a commitment to changing the way you buy food.
Sincerely,
Conrad Cable
