What’s been going on!

So I didn’t mean to leave every one hanging with last weeks newsletter like a “Who shot JR” ending, I thought it was just implied that there was more to come.  Part of the reason we have decided to talk openly about our succession process is that we know a number of farms struggling with the exact same issues and we don’t know anyone who has successfully passed on their operations to a non-family member.

Even farms with children or family members are having a difficult time figuring it out.  In 2014 when Betsy was in California for the first Gathering of the Agrarian Elders even those very successful farmers had no plans for transition, were just thinking about it or their kids did not want to take over such large operations.  We hope that by writing about our experience other older farmers or young farmers looking for some way to farm will get some ideas.

Big seasonal changes on the farm this week as the annual soil preparation for all of next year begins.  While we did get almost 3 inches of rain last night it is timely to make it easier to work the soil, by next week it will be perfect.  I spent the first big block of time on the new tractor yesterday doing the final mowing of spent crops and cover crops and it was a pleasure.  Still getting used to the new sight lines, sounds and turning radius but I will give it a thumbs up.

We also uncovered six of the eight Big Tops getting ready for winter, finished cleaning out the rest of the tomatoes and spread compost on next year’s tomato beds.  Slowly we lurch towards the first frost.

Pictures of the Week

Looking out from the remains of this year’s tomatoes towards where next season’s will be

Crazy Super Crest Celosia

What’s going to be at the market?

If you want to roast peppers remember to stop by our stall first thing to get your peppers into the cue, then go shop and they will be ready for you when you are done.  If you would like a large amount of peppers roasted (5# or more) please let us know by Friday morning so we can have them ready for you at market.

Peppers, slowing down some but still plenty!  A fair amount of red and yellow Bells; red, yellow and orange Corno di Toros; Cubanelle, Ashe County Pimentos and Aji Dulce the habanero without heat in sweet peppers.

Hot peppers from mildest to hottest- Passilla, Anaheim (New Mexican), Poblano, Spanish Piquillo and French Espelette, our own Picante Pimento, Serrano, Jalapeno, Cayenne and Datil.

Plenty of the Shishito and Padron appetizer peppers prepared the same easy with a quick blister in a pan then sprinkled with salt and eaten whole.  Get some of both and do your own comparison. .

A great supply of Eggplant Italian heirloom and the striped Nubia.  Spaghetti and Butternut Winter Squash.  Tender and sweet Japanese Salad Turnips.  Red Radishes.

Beautiful Lacinato Kale and the first Bok Choi of the season.  No lettuce this week, technical difficulties.

The flower department is into late summer mode lead by the Crested Celosia wave and some of the radiant Plume Celosia is too.

 

As a reminder if there is anything that you would like for us to hold for you at market just let us know by e-mail, by the evening before, and we will be glad to put it aside for you.  Just so you know, sometimes not everything listed will be at the Wednesday market.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex, Betsy and Jennie

If you know folks who you think would be interested in news of the farm then please feel free to forward this to them and encourage them to sign up at the website.