We are very excited to announce that applications for next year’s Freshman Farmer program are now available here.

We want to see more organic farmers nationwide supplying their local communities with seasonal, organic produce. In order to help do this, we will help new farmers offset initial financial costs by allowing selected applicants deep discounts.  In exchange, Freshman Farmers will maintain a blog, take photos, post financials, shoot video footage. We hope that by doing these activities, Freshman Farmers will help to educate and inspire the next year of applicants.

If you know of any first year farmers who are passionate about growing organically, please forward this information to them. Deadline for applications is December 31, 2008.

Download the application by clicking here.

I just returned from a great vacation.  A week-long climbing trip in Bishop and Joshua Tree. It had been a while, but on the trip, I don’t know if I thought about the farm more than a few times.  Sad?  Not really.  It was just really nice to get away, incorporate other facets into my life.  Balance, it dawned on me again and again this year, is key to surviving. Period. That maxim holds for the farm.  I know that we are created to be such good workers in this nation, and that’s… Read the rest of this article »

Our marathon PVC gluing session is almost over.  Too bad because smelling that PVC glue sure is a lot of fun.  I think it’s bad for your brain, but I’m not sure.  I think it’s bad for your brain, but I’m not sure. I think PVC glue might be bad for your brain, but, I’m not sure. We were drilling in a cover crop of Vetch and Rye today.  We used about 1000 lbs for the 10 acres. The fertility that winter cover crops create more than pays for itself.  A winter without… Read the rest of this article »

I know this is one issue that a lot of small farmers have dealt with, particularly those that sell at farmers’ markets and directly to the public in some way.  As direct-sellers, we are in the unique position of being able to set our own prices.  Obviously, we must work within a given range, or if we go much higher, there must be a really good reason for it.  So, we can go for Wal-Mart “organic” produce prices (which would be low, and, being in Wal-Mart, affordable), or, we can… Read the rest of this article »

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… Read the rest of this article »

Rain is coming at the end of the week.  That means on the new field, all the plumbing needs to be done and the cover crop should get laid down. It’ll be a busy week, with one more market on Tuesday. Andrew Read the rest of this article »

The last Saturday market was a good one.  Shoppers came out like they haven’t in weeks.  All of the many regulars were sad that the season is ending and they all wondered why we can’t go on, even a little bit longer. I wonder the same thing, but understand that the market has never geared up for that sort of thing.  We need an indoor spot for the winter because the inclement weather wouldn’t be good for anyone shopping. People just want fresh produce, and once they start coming… Read the rest of this article »

The year has run its course for my peppers.  Not even a few for the market tomorrow :( They were really tasty and prolific this year - bells, gypsy, red and golden marconi (personal favorites), corno di toro giallo. The peppers got the best of everything. The most water.  Adequate fertilizer.  Sometimes both at the expense of other crops.  Nevertheless, inherent in this system is the season. Pepper plants die around now.  No way around that in this neck of the woods. Now, I wouldn’t go… Read the rest of this article »

The CSA ended yesterday, Wednesday.  It was a good year. Now it’s time to finish the garlic planting.  I’ve got the hardnecks in the ground - Music, German Red, Mexican Purple, Chesnok Red.  Now I’ll finish the softnecks - Cal Early, Cal Late - and move onto the onion transplants. Nice weather for all this, low 80’s.  I would forgo the sunny weather for some rain though. Andrew Read the rest of this article »