Since the stone fruit started ripening two months ago, it’s been non-stop madness here on the farm. You may have heard that these turbulent times have created a rush to buy from local farms, and I am here to say that has been 100% true for us.
So, first and foremost and above all, thank you, thank you all, thank you so much for supporting our little farm. This is the first year our farm has made enough money to hire the help we need, and I am so very grateful to you all for your encouragement, purchases and visits.
This week, we are right in between the ending of the stone fruit (apricots, peaches, plums) harvest and the beginning of the pomme (apples, pears, quince) fruit ripening. I am taking a very needed week off to relax my tired body and regroup my over-extended brain cells. So if you are wondering why there’s not much for sale in our store, now you know. I will start back up with fruit sales the second week of August. Personally, I am excited to be moving on from the sticky sweet drupes to the crisp, tannic bite of apples.
The very first apple to ripen this season is a new one in our orchard, planted two winters ago, and fruiting for the first time this season. Meet Strawberry Parfait, she is a beauty! Not only does this apple look amazing, it’s a super early producer and does taste a wee bit like strawberries.
It’s Summertime! Come, Smell and Pick the Roses
In the meantime, the flower field is still blooming like crazy, with dahlias, sunflowers and gladiolas joining the rose party. If you need to get outside in these pandemic times, come pick a bucket of roses and blooms at our farm. It’s a safe, socially distanced treat for all the senses.
Fuck Fascism Forever & One More Time
A few of my parent friends told me these t-shirts and stickers led to a discussion with their kids about what is fascism. Yea?
I wish this message were no longer relevant, but it seems to be more important every day.
Regenerative Agriculture, Buzzwords and Business Integrity
Lately, I have seen the phrase regenerative agriculture pop up in the media more and more. We could argue about whether organic standards make much difference, and though our farm was certified organic for seven years, I find organic to be a very low bar indeed. Regenerative ag goes much further in intent and practice - to heal the land, improve soil, provided habitat for wild animals, sequester carbon, and treat workers fairly.
I strongly believe the only way to know if a farm truly engages in deep ecology and value driven processes is to visit it. If you see hedgerows, birds in the air, no bare soil blowing away in the wind, and diverse mix of plants, trees and/or livestock, it’s probably a great place to buy your food. However, I also know field trips to farms are not always possible. Pictures and google map views can tell you a lot instead. By way of example, here are two photos, one of apple and persimmon rows on our farm, and another photo from literally across the street of a conventional apple orchard planted for Martinellis apple juice. Which would you prefer?
Do You Like to Read?
I have been trying to consciously replace obsessively doom scrolling the bleak news with reading longer form and more thoughtful prose. Here are some outstanding essays and books I have read lately. Please send me your recommendations too!
ESSAYS
The Aroma of Trees:
The Plantation Economics of Farming:
Entering the Bardo:
BOOKS
American Harvest:
How to Do Nothing:
