I can tell it is farming season; my once organized office is a mess. Mud on my new wood floor, rubber bands cluttering my desk (its asparagus season), and a pile of papers on my book shelf that is about ready to fall over.
I promised I would keep you more updated on what is going on in the fields and I swear I am trying, it is just that the month of May got a little away from me; I've been busy farming. This spring has so far been better than last year, weather wise. We had a few really cool nights including a spotted frost. You are probably wondering to yourself why I am stating that it is better than last year. My answer is simple, my pond is not dried up yet. Last year at this time the water level in the pond made me loose sleep at night. This year, it is high enough to touch one of the edge lines of the back fields!
As I sit here and type up my thoughts and updates on the farm, I am glancing out over the front fields. The garlic crop that did not get destroyed by the "accident" is looking real good, the peas are in blossom, lettuce plantings are looking crunchy and my fields look happy. I can see puddles, green grass and the drip irrigation lines shining in the setting sun. The first planting of beans is about ready to hit blossom, peppers are loving their new home, tomatillos are trellised, broccoli plants are growing like crazy and the early crop of field tomatoes are tied high and should be ready by the 4th of July (old family saying). The main season crop of tomatoes will hit the field tomorrow!
The one crop that I am pretty stressed about is the kale and collard greens that are sitting in the field closest to the farm stand. I am sure you have seen all the plants sitting in their straight rows, just hanging out. The root maggot (tasty sounding, I know) got the best of the crop so the field is looking somewhat pathetic. This hot weather should clear it up and we will be in there replacing skips by the beginning of the week. Pathetic little kale crop, damn little bugs.
I will be heading to Maine the second week of June to speak at the New England Food Summit which I am pretty excited about! My involvement in Farm Bureau has kept me busy when I am not at the farm, even in the "busy season." I really enjoy it! I am excited about the excuse to get out of picking strawberries (it still to this day is the worst job on the farm). By the time I sit down to type up another blog post, I will be able to fill you in what it was all about!
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all the farm! I am not in the farm stand as much as I use to be but if you ever need to speak with me directly feel free to track me down, email me or give me a cool. Your thoughts, comments, ideas, and questions are really important to me!
Your Production Manager,
Jamie Labels: Crop Production Update