We have been working hard on the farm since the new year began. Ordering seeds, crop planning, improving our infrastructure, making raised beds, hauling compost, planting seeds, preparing beds for planting, and so much more. Now, we have a greenhouse full of seedlings and we have broken ground and planted our first crops - lettuce, spinach, and radishes in our unheated hoophouse, and peas out in the field. Looking at our crop plan, our calendar is getting busier and busier with planting over the next few weeks. We've been blessed with a much warmer and drier spring than last year, but we're still cautious about getting plants in the ground when its too cold out. We've purchased some frost-protection for our early transplants - such as the cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower that will be planted next week.
Of course, it has been a much stranger spring than we could have anticipated back at the start of the new year. The world as we know it has come to a halt with the rise of COVID-19. I think this pandemic has caused many people to give pause about the way they get their food. Grocery stores, one of the only places now where people congregate, can feel like a risky trip. There is worry, too, about the reliability of global and even national supply chains. In the local agricultural movement, we talk a lot about food security - about having access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. I think a crisis like this really shines a light on what those words actually mean and what an important role local food has in creating this security.
COVID-19 has impacted us too - we have to take extra steps now to ensure the security of ourselves, our workers, and our customers. We still don't know what farmers' markets will look like by the time ours begins in mid-June. We have to rethink the packaging we use, the way we handle payments, the way we process our vegetables, the way we facilitate pick-ups. We have to cancel our plans for community events.
But, above all, COVID-19 has pushed us to produce, and to find ways to get our produce to as many people, as safely as possible.
Thank you so much to everyone who has signed up for our Farm Share so far! With all that has been happening, the steady progression of spring and work on the farm give a stability to life that is much needed right now.
We hope everyone is staying safe and well. We look forward to growing for you!
