Pictured above is our superstar cabbage harvester, Ella, proudly posing in front of her handiwork, the second wave of cabbage. Actually she did have some help-- its a lot of cabbage to harvest by one's self-- but they declined to be in the picture. We have about 10 employees now at the peak of summer, although only one works here more than two days a week, plus family help. Its a good thing, too-- beans, okra,cucumbers and zucchini all require almost daily harvests, and then the rest of the carrots need to come in and the onions as well. (But don't neglect the cabbage! Eat more cabbage! Help!) Tomatoes are about to start and we're beginning to plant fall crops. I can't really say July is my favorite month, although it is exciting in its own way. And I've got lots to eat.
In other farm news we recently had our inspection for organic certification. We first got certified in 2006, and I grew up eating from my father's pesticide- free garden, and sometimes I forget just how laden with poisons much of this country's agricultural land is. One of the reasons I got into this line of work in the first place was that I came to the conclusion that the problems facing our country and the world were insolvable unless people were well-nourished, healthy, and embedded in community. It's been a far different journey than I thought it would be, and now more than ever I have no idea what the future holds. But at least now, after 15 years on this land, I feel like I have a better idea how to do right by it and that I'm a better farmer than I was even five years ago. Which doesn't mean that I still don't make the occasional blunder...
I could go into the above to great length, but then I wouldn't get much actual farming done. Sill, I'm interested in your thoughts--you've joined this farm's harvest-- what are you looking for? What do you want us to do? I can't promise you'll get a lengthy response at this time, but I'll read and consider carefully anything you might share, and we can talk about anything under the sun in the winter.
Bye for now! Hope you're enjoying the heat!
