We had our first CSA pick up yesterday which was very exciting and a bit anxiety producing…. But all in all it went really well. We only have ten members, which feels like the perfect amount at the moment. Our first box contained little gem romaine lettuce, pac choi, lacinato and red russian kale, easter egg radishes, salad mix, a bundle of bergamont mint, a garden bouquet of daisies and geraniums, and a pair of beeswax candles that we make through the winter. It was wonderful to have people come out to the farm and know that our produce is feeding their families this week. These first few weeks definitely feel a bit sparse in terms of what we have to offer, so it will be nice when we hit midsummer and all the boxes will be overflowing.
Besides our first harvest day, the last few weeks have been busy with emptying out the hoophouse and planting peppers, eggplant, winter squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and direct-seeding corn, basil, summer squash, and more root crops. Things have been pretty overwhelming, and I’m realizing just how tied to the land farming really makes me. Watering has to be done every day, and an eye kept out for the leaf-miners on the chard and how much flea beatle damage is on the pac choi, and all those daily occurences that cannot be missed. I’ve never been so knowledgable about one spot of land, the kinds of weeds that grow there, the local snakes and butterflies, where the water pools. It’s amazing to see it progress as the land dries out and one wildflower replaces another and the grasses begin to turn brown and produce seed. I’m also realizing that I’m more committed to a place than I’ve ever been. Even if it is just through the season, as it’s quite hard to grow things through the winter here.
I went to the last Tuesday market in Nevada City today. It was a busy market. So many people came out. We haven’t had such a busy market all year. It was nice to end it with plenty of shoppers.
For my part, I brought lots of kale, chard, eggplant, peppers, lettuce mix, winter squash, cherry tomatos, peas, basil, celery and broccoli.
It was a nice close to the season for me. Although, I have a solid week of work before the season is over for me.
Honestly, these last two months have been completely busy and nearly overwhelming for me. Not a “scary’ overwhelming, like in April when I was freaked out about the CSA and didn’t think I would be able to shepherd all this food into 24 weeks of 30 boxes. It’s been overwhelming as of late with the shear volume of work. Every day of the week is harvesting, or preparing the new 10 acres with irrigation. We’re coming close to finishing the irrigation and getting the cover crop in, along with some rock phosphate.
I’m pretty much exhausted, but in a good mental space. I’m dearly looking forward to some rest, and sleeping in. Farming’s a lot of work, and it doesn’t stop. You have to know that.
Andrew
They are turning the dirt and hoping to be successful enough to turn a profit, and to become a valuable part of their communities as suppliers of organically grown food.
Peaceful Valley is giving them a head start by offering them special pricing as part of this Freshman Farmer program.
| Freshman: | |
| New Farms Coming Soon! | |
| Sophomores: | |
![]() | Daily Grace Farms Crescent City, CA |
![]() | Freestone Family Farm Vernal, UT |
![]() | Wise Moon Farm Redding, CA |
| Graduates: | |
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![]() | Driftwood Farm Fort Bragg, CA |
![]() | EarthDance Farm St. Louis, MO |
![]() | Ellwood Canyon Farms Goleta, CA |
![]() | Four Frog Farm Penn Valley, CA |
![]() | Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm Poulsbo, WA |
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![]() | Honey in the Heart Farm Nevada City, CA |
![]() | Willow Springs Farm Penn Valley, CA |
| Coyote House Farm Palermo, CA |
| Daily Grace Farms Crescent City, CA |
| DeepSeeded Community Farm Arcata, CA |
| Driftwood Farm Fort Bragg, CA |
| EarthDance Farm St. Louis, MO |
| Ellwood Canyon Farms Goleta, CA |
| Four Frog Farm Penn Valley, CA |
| Freestone Family Farm Vernal, UT |
| Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm Poulsbo, WA |
| Home Plate Organic Farm Orleans, CA |
| Honey in the Heart Farm Nevada City, CA |
| Willow Springs Farm Penn Valley, CA |
| Wise Moon Farm Redding, CA |