What’s been going on!

It appears to be the pattern now that we have unusually warm Novembers that make the fall and winter crops grow faster and more lush than they should and then in December the hammer comes crashing down.  No easing into cold weather for us or the crops.  Last weekend we had several mornings at 20 degrees and Friday morning looks to be in the high teens.

Jennie has been harvesting some of the outdoor crops today before the cold and rain come in to make it really hard to uncover those plants.  The vegetables in the tunnels can of course be picked later in the week.  Betsy and I have been working on some greenhouse projects and some early winter reorganization of supplies and equipment.

Barely a few weeks left in this year and the planning for the next season and reflection on the last is well underway.  As always we are honored to have this beautiful piece of land to work and care for and the ability to do so year after year.  We couldn’t see this far into the future 35 years ago and might have been daunted if we could have but the journey continues to be a good one.

As I tell groups that I talk to about farming that while most farmers, especially new ones, focus on production details and if they can make a living doing it that in the end, while those things are important, the real focus should be on the people they are in contact with during the course of their business day and their quality of life.  Without all of you we could not be the farm we are today and will be in the future.  It is your support, interest in what we do and of course eating our food that makes all of this possible.  For that we thank you!

Only a few markets left this year, Jennie will be at the market this Saturday and we will all be at the pre-Christmas market next Wednesday the 21^st from 3:00-5:00.  We will be irregular at market after that, depending on the crops and the weather  We really hope to be able to see you at market but if we don’t we wish you all a happy holiday season!

Picture of the Week

Beautiful lettuce with additional covers at the ready pull over before the hard cold

What’s going to be at the market? Continue reading →

What’s been going on!

Hurtling towards the end of another season, this one certainly full of crazy weather swings that made one pause and wonder, like this recent amazing warm spell and yet more heavy rain to put us about 10 inches above normal.

Folks ask this time of year “how was the season?”.  Farmers say it with a sideways glance searching for some solace or comparison to how theirs went.  Non-farmers ask out of general interest or pleasant conversation.  If I didn’t know the exact details I would certainly say it was much worse than last year with all the difficulties and resulting various crop short falls but the truth is we are going to end with a slightly better year than 2014 at least on the income side, amazing to us.

As we head into 2016 and our 35^th growing season we have much to plan for and much to reflect on.  We know that there are multiple reasons we continue to have a successful business but foremost is all of you.  Without such a supportive and appreciative group of people who come to get our products week in and week out it would not be possible to do what we do, either financially or mentally, for that we are very thankful.

The other great luck that we have had is the excellent people we have been able to find and work with here on the farm, they make our days easier and more enjoyable.  With Jennie here we also know that going forward Peregrine Farm will continue to be innovative and sustainable.  We hope to be able to wish you all a happy holiday season on Saturday or at the special Christmas market on Tuesday, if we miss you, may it be full of warmth and fun.

Pictures of the Week

Warm enough for this toad to do some insect control

The miracle of a few Christmas anemones

What’s going to be at the market? Continue reading →