Here's an update on our CSA membership drive. Mailers have been sent out to all of our contacts. They've just been out a week or so. We've received one renewal and signed up two new accounts for a total of $800. Not bad but certainely I was hoping for more. This is a common problem. I always get a few sign ups right off the bat. Last year I think we went the whole month of February without a single sign up. I can't have that scenario again this year. So I will continue to push and put it out there. The good thing is that so far the average sign up is just over $250.00. If we got our 50 sign ups that we are shooting for that would put us in right where we need to be. The down side is that people tend to procrastinate and send in their money later in the spring. Kind of defeats the porpuse of operating as a CSA farm. We need money now:)
I have seed orders on hold until we receive the money to pay for them. That's a critical item but only a small picture. I need about $1,000 just to get my first initial order. I am trying to place orders with split ship dates to spread out the expense. I have to have potting soil to get started. This one has to be paid in cash all at once. It's about $800.00 plus $100.00 for fuel/ferrie and an entire day driving to pick it up and returning. I just ordered my new flat seeder. There's a $1,000.00 right there. It all adds up fast. Our deer fence was badly damaged by falling branches and trees from the earlier storms. A good portion of it will require total replacement. At least $2,000.00 just for materials. There are other items I need but seed and soil are obviously the basics. Please get those sign ups in foks! We really need the operating capital to move forward.
Frost damage... It looks as if most of the greens in the hoophouse's were damaged beyong saving. I'll be turning beds and re planting this week. It's a bummer. It's going to set us back on our february deliveries. This time of year we're looking at about 12 weeks from sowing to first harvest on greens.
Weather... Everyone's all freaked out because the Farmers Almanac is calling for another snow storm for February. I was watching the weather report from the U.S. Farm Report this week. Ironically western washington is about the only place in the country right now with decent weather. Looks like we are indeed going to get another Arctic blast around the beginning of the month but only for a couple of days. Our 90 day forecast is for above average tempratures. this would be quite typical weather for an El Nino year, in which we normally see a warmer second half of the winter. Anything could happen. The reality is that the forecast's are only accurate for about three days out, so to say we are in for another storm or good weather is mere speculation. It will be what it will be.
The chickens are starting to lay again. Sure is nice. The eggs are far superior to anything available at the market. Our free ranging ladies are happy and enjoying the spring-like weather, fresh grass and worms.
It's good to be motivated again. Lots of clean up going on and that makes me very happy. This is a lovely time of year when the weather has been like it has. It Looks like I will be able to get in the fields for some field prep this next week. That would be really nice and help us get a jump on planting the early stuff like peas, favas and greens.
The days are getting longer by a couple of minutes a day now. It makes a big difference on how much can get done in a day. It's just dawning here right now. Time to get out there, It's going to be a big day. It's pizza day too! Yeah baby!
Take care,
Farmer John
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Yes it's that time of year again! We are pushing hard to get community members to signup for our CSA. CSA stands for community supported agriculture. CSA is a system of farming where the consumer takes on an active finacial role with the farmer to assist in early capital needs of the farm in return for a share of the harvest. Having this early influx of capital assists the farmer in purchasing seeds, fertilzer, potting soil and supplies for the upcoming season. It also gaurantees the farmer has a market for the produce to be grown. Full details of the program and an erollment form can be downloaded from our website. Call or e-mail us if you have any questions. We are counting on having strong sign ups to kickstart the season. We need your support more than ever this year. Won't you please consider becoming a member.
There is alot happening behind the scenes right now. In particular we are dealing with alot of storm clean up. Our deer fencing was badly damaged by falling trees and limbs with the earlier storms. Can't do too much until we deal with that. Most of our seed orders have been placed and we are starting to receive our orders. I'll be sowing here before you know it. I'm really hoping we'll get some decent weather this spring.
I always get so excited this time of year. It's always a little overwhelming but I just can't wait to get started. Sometimes just thinking about starting is harder than actually getting out there and doing it. It'll all come together once we get going.
I did some field walking yesterday, surveying the damage from the last storm. The outdoor greens are looking a little beat up but I think they will recover if we get a few sunny days. The turnips, cabbage and kale seem to be unnafected. Thankfully one of our sites is situated on some dry ground and with any luck I'll be able to do some bed prepping next week for the first round of direct sown cool weather salad greens. Mostly Asian's, kales and mustard greens and a couple of beds of lettuce. Peas and fava beans will be close behind. I like to get those in by President's Day. I'm starting some early tomatoes again this week indoors. I've tried this many times without success. Perhaps this time it will work?
I have a couple of off island supply runs to make, just waiting for some memberships to come in so I have the money. It's time folks.
We have commercial deliveries beginning again in February, hopefully we can jump right back into things. Pray to the sun gods.
Tine to roll.
keep it real.
Farmer John
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Howdy all. It's snowing again! I woke up today thinking about all the things I should be doing, including a small harvest. The snow was lightly falling with just a trace on the ground. Nice day. Before I could really get going though it had begun to come down pretty hard. Actually it was the most beautiful snow I think I've ever seen. Huge flakes mixed with small ones gently drifting down. Before I knew it I had myself a snow day. In some ways there's nothing better. It's as if all things of importance take a time out and God is giving us more than permission to take it easy. Sometimes it's not so easy to take the hint. Gotta go harvest, gotta go harvest, like a little gnat inside my head is telling me what i need to do. What I really need to do is just be still. Mother Nature is in charge here. Listen. It's all so quiet when it snows. Everything is muffled and calm. That's what's she's saying. it's OK You don't really have to go out there. Unless you want to. Customers will understand. Of course I try not to let anyone down but today I have a note.
My favorite snow day memories are from many years ago when I lived in Flagstaff, AZ. It always seemed to be tradidtion that when we got a big snow storm and most things would shut down, a hearty group would always congregate at this funky little Mexican joint called Martans Burrito Palace. They didn't sell beer there but you could bring your own. mmmmm mmmm a food memory I will never forget. Early morning juevos rancheros or chiliquiles or a big honkin burrito enchilada style with rice and beans and an ice cold Coors light. Yes my friends, it is good to be alive.
Keep well, kick back and enjoy the snow.
Farmer John
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I'm back! Sorry for the long delay on the blog scene. Life has been chaotic for me for the last few months. rest assured all is well at Maple Rock and I am gearing up for the new season. This is actually a busy time fo us here. I am still making a few commercial deliveries of of a few items . Salad greens, turnips and cabbage mostly. The early snow knocked us down for a little bit but things are recovering. Most of our restaurant accounts close for the month of January. We will still be making deliveries to our retail customers. Mostly the month of January is spent planning and aqquiring seeds and supplies for the spring planting. I actually normally do a little sowing this time of year too. Mostly hardy winter greens inside the tunnels, they normally are ready for harvest in early March. My favorites are tatsoi and spinach. I'm also planning on an early sowing of tomatoes as an experiment. I've tried this before without success but I've seen it done over in Skagit Valley so I'm trying again. The farm that does it over there is Hedlin Farm in La Conner. They plant theirs on boxing day and start harvesting torwards the end of May. Thats pretty impressive. It's also really expensive and not real eco friendly. They plant theirs in heated greenhouse's without the aid of artificial light. Thats the curious part. Normally it's not so much the temprature as it is sunlight so I'm unclear on just how they pull it off but they grow some damn fine looking tomatoes. I'll be starting mine indoors in the house on a very small scale. I'll choose an early, reliable variety like Stupice or Glacier, Northern delight or perhaps New Girl. We'll see what happens.
Seed catalogs are pouring in like hot cakes. I've learned over the years to throw most of them away. I stick with the companies I know and trust like Johnny's and Territorial. I jokingly refer to seed catalogs as farmer pornagraphy. They make everything sound so sexy. It's hard to narrow down on what you know does well with all of those tempting descriptions of new items being offered.
I'm planning on cutting back on the number of varieties I'll be growing this year and devoting more ground to salad greens. I say this every year and follow through still and never seem to have enough greens. I've taken on Rosario Resort as an account this year and they use alot of greens so I'll at least be doubling production to accomodate the volume. That means I have to make some brutal descions on what not to grow. I can think of a few right off the bat like corn, pumpkins and winter squash melons and peppers. Others for consideration are summer squash, green beans cauliflower and even broccoli. For me this is one of the harder parts of being a market farmer. I love growing (and eating) all of those things. To consider not growing them seems sacrelegious. In reality though it comes down mostly to a financial descion but not entirely financial. I still need to grow a few standards to be able to offer to my long standing commercial accounts who rely on me for a few specific items. I've had good success in honing my growing and harvesting techniques on greens to the point where I feel like we do pretty well with them. Items like corn and pumpkins are beautiful to see in the field and I love them but they don't return much to the farm in the way of capital. That said, the thought of not biting into a fresh ear of corn in the summer or handing a child a pumpkin at halloween is a sad thought. Oh the dilema of market farming!
Anyway, Looking forward to seeing 2006 come to a close. It was the most successful year we've had on the farm but on a personal level was very challenging. I'm glad it's over and I am looking at the new year as the beginning of a new chapter in my life and seeing Maple Rock Farm, myself and my new family grow together in harmony, peace and self reliance.
Keep well friends,
Farmer John
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Feeling a little more overwhelmed than usual right now. I have a lot of tilling and cover cropping to be done at all of the MRF sites. It helps to just think about one at a time. Get one done and then move on to the next. Keeping a list helps so I can at least have the satisfaction of crossing a project off that list. (One of my favorite things to do) Those of you who know me well, kmow that I am a habitual list maker. It's the only way i cam keep my focus on all of the things that need to be done. I often joke that I would'nt be able to go to the bathroom without first consulting my list. It's true!
Heres a sample of my lst of things to do today.
check and reply to e mails
check phone message's and return calls
call to see if I'm working off the farm (if so the following items must wait until another day)
till and cover crop beds at lone cow farm
spread manure, till and cover crop beds at mrf 3
spread manure, till and cover crop at home farm
tll and cover crop potato field at Youngrens
clean chicken coop
buy chicken feed, restock bins, feed and water chickens cull flock
water greenhouses
harvest and deliver greens to Ship Bay
sort tomatoes
call accounts to see if they want to buy tomatoes
Call CSA accounts for harvest and delivery
clean out delivery truck and store pumpkins and winter squash
call mechanic to schedule truck for repairs and maintenance
clean harvest station
bank deposit
mail paperwork to accountant
mow
take down fence around pig pen till and cover crop
flip compost piles
rake leaves and put into compost piles
split fire wood and re stock woodshed
That oughta do it. Looks like a day to me!
Keep it real.
Farmer John
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