Good morning!
About 8 years ago, I attended an organic conference in East Lansing. In his opening remarks, the keynote speaker talked about the 15 year forecast calling for longer, hotter droughts, heavier rain and storm events. The subject was preparing the soil structure and the organic content on the farm to better handle these extremes.
Going further, I wondered how I could protect some of the crops from the weather, as I worked to improve my soil, all without synthetic chemicals. At the time the new grower trend was season extension in unheated greenhouses, or Hoop Houses. I invested in my first medium sized hoop, and with the help from a great pioneer in Maine, some serious study, and lots of mistakes, I graduated to the first big Hoop House, and then another, and the rest is history!
The end result, with our drip irrigation system, and our modest array of structures, we will have some Tomatoes available this week and Cucumbers next week, although no reservations are available yet!
This week I am at the Family Fare parking lot in Eaton Rapids on Wednesday at 12:00 noon, and the Allen Street Farmers Market, 2:30-6:30 after that. Thursday afternoon is farm pick up, and Saturday we will be in Grand Ledge for the Market on the Grand, 9:00-1:00. Yes, I know it is the Fourth of July Weekend, and we will be present. I hope to see you soon!
