Farm Blog

Thank you again for braving the blizzard to celebrate, connect with great food, and 'planting an orchard'! Just imagine all those future cherry trees (don't forget to squat:-).
I am so uplifted from all the good vibes, intentions, laughter and seeds shared and planted.

We were able to raise $850.00 in funds! This will go a long way, thank you! Additionally, with all the seeds donated today and from what I've gleaned from others, The women growers in the Sine-Saloum region will be able to plant out a couple hundred row feet/farm. In the past we've planted shared 'demonstration beds' ie since many of the farmers share space/land to grow on we've constructed seeds beds to trial different varieties, plant insectory herbs and flowers and share techniques. From there seeds are harvested and shared forward amongst the individual farmers. So in essence your generosity helped plant teaching/learning/eating/

sharing beds of veggie, herb, and flower goodness!
 

I will honor my commitment and extend the immense gratitude, generosity that was shared during the workshop with the women farmers in the following ways:

Work with NCBA CLUSA Farmer to Farmer Program to transfer funds and mail seeds.
I'll also email and share highlights, photos forward later this week in celebration of our workshop success.

I am tentatively set to travel there Nov/Dec. or January in 2016.

I also finally remembered the name of third grower group, JUBO (means widespread). If you're interested in learning more about how they got started, here's a link to an interview I did as part of my last Farmer to Farmer adventure in Senegal.

I Will keep you in the loop as the project evolves and thanks again for sharing your generous spirit!

For the chocolate lovers:
Becky Otte, who made the amazing truffles, has more of her chocolate goodness to share and is selling some of her creations just in time for Valentines. if you're interested send her an email: raonine@gmail.com

Also Here is a link to Roots Chocolate website.

For the Fruit Lovers:

I've enclosed a handout of some of the different fruits we grow at our farm as well as a flyer highlighting this season's events at the farm! We'd love to have you venture out and tour the orchard, come visit us (though not nearly as cool as the orchard poses we did during the workshop).

Thank you again for helping me transition from being a butterfly weed seed (ie wind pollinated, not knowing where or how my intentions, projects might stick) to more of an oak or cashew seeds - wherein I can deepen my awareness, provide support in the same place(s) in Senegal for the growers and in my backyard in Wisconsin:-). Here's to planting the seeds of the as yet to be imagined on and off the yoga mat! Wishing you all much abundance.

Happy Mid-winter!

Yours in hardy kiwi,
Erin


PS If you are into exploring the planting side as well as enjoying more local fruit creations, we'll be hosting a Local Fruit Tasting May 16, details on our website.

 

Summer Solstice Re-cap, Sizing up the Season

With the solstice now past and the deep of summer ahead of the prow, it seemed like a good point to assess the year so far.

The start to the 2021 growing season was auspiciously benign by comparison with a number of recent years.   Green-up was long but steady -- a pleasant contrast to the extremely cold late-Springs we’ve seen in the past half-decade when tree-buds only broke in the third or fourth week of May.

The slow warm-up made for good results from the early-season vegetables, with the single exception of peas.  Having been planted into delightfully dry and workable soil in mid-April, they sat for nearly two and a half weeks before receiving any appreciable moisture, and their germination reflected it.  So, unfortunately, there will be no peas in the vegetable share this year.  Otherwise though, planting was – by contrast to Springs in the late Teens -- blessedly uneventful, with warm soils allowing good tilth, and enough moisture during May to germinate carrots, beets, scallions, corn, beans and vining crops.

beets - shiraz 6-26-21.jpg

June’s early, dry heat was a challenge for the lettuce and radishes, both of which were inclined to bolt earlier than usual.  Steady irrigation from our water catchments countered some of that.  On them up-side, the drought in June seems to have so far kept insect populations – barring the ubiquitous potato beetle, of course -- in check.  We’ll see how this plays out now that a significant change for the rainier has commandeered the month’s final week.  Our pickling cucumbers have lately shown signs of visitation from cucumber beetles, with possible transmission of leaf mosaic.  Our tomatos – otherwise in strapping health now that the rains have come – are also showing the inevitable onset of Septoria on their lower foliage.

Heat and moisture have definitely pushed plants into earlier-than-normal production.  Currant harvest has commenced as early as it ever has. Garlic has finished nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, with the first 400 heads already pulled and washed.  The upcoming July 5th share will include (in addition to currants and garlic), broccoli, cabbage, beets, carrots, scallions and potatos, along with the usual compliment of herbs.  Look for it at the usual time, only on Monday instead of Sunday.

Rob washing garlic to cure before braiding. Photo by Erin Schneider

Rob washing garlic to cure before braiding. Photo by Erin Schneider