Freshman Farmer | New Organic Farms Set Roots

September 2nd, 2011
Daily Grace Farms | Blog

Yesterday I awoke to find the apple tree had been taken out by the wind gusts, one third of the tree lay helpless on the ground. Today I rise and find a single solitary chicken has escaped and the entire pea planting has been scratched out and devoured. It was done with great care and precision, she left a beautiful little trough and mound in her wake where the peas had been, complete with chicken prints so there would be no mistaking who had been there. If that was not enough excitement to fulfill her gourmet pallet she some how managed to meandered over and let herself into the green house where the evening was spent sampling the tomatoes, one by one. I wonder, pray tell, which was her favorite?

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Plan B

August 31st, 2011
Daily Grace Farms | Blog

WINDYYYYY… Postponed the pea planting projects today. We are experiencing 25 mph wind gusts, that is the official record anyway. It seems to me a more accurate rendering would be “sustained gusts” as they really don’t start or stop, they just keep coming. Irrigation is difficult as well, sprinkler is about 6 yards up wind from the crops it is supposed to be watering….. another reason to put drip irrigation back at the top of the projects list!!! I will be picking huckleberries from our edible landscape plantings later today and making a wonderful cobbler for the family

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Networking

August 30th, 2011
Daily Grace Farms | Blog

So, yesterday I was reading about another farm on facebook. They have a problem with crows eating, well actually just nibbling the apples on their trees. The crows peck a bit here and there, just enough to ruin the entire fruit. Why the crows can’t just eat one WHOLE apple and leave the rest alone we will never know. I was thankful though that I did not have that problem. I have picture perfect apples on my tree. Enter today’s walk about the farm, something I do every morning that… Read the rest of this article »

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August 23, 2011

August 23rd, 2011
Freestone Family Farm | Blog

Greetings from Freestone Family Farm! As I read over my first entry I am reminded of how excited I was this spring. Mind you this blog was written in April. This is not to say I’m not still excited, it’s just that the reality of our ability has now set in. And the reality of how much work there is still left to do! Goals for 2011: Increase production to a full acre. 50 subscription csa program. High tunnel. Garage with a commercial kitchen. Accomplishments to date for… Read the rest of this article »

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Diversify

August 20th, 2011
Driftwood Farm | Blog

From early on, we have hoped not only to grow a diversity of crops, but also sell at a variety of “outlets.” Since we’ve done pretty well at the Farmers Market with what we are able to produce, we haven’t spent much time trying to find other places to sell our veggies. Luckily, there is a vibrant locavore community here, and two locally owned businesses (both of which had made the short list of ones we hoped to sell to) have approached us over the season at the… Read the rest of this article »

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Seasonal Firsts

August 18th, 2011
Daily Grace Farms | Blog

First cherry tomato! First fruits setting on the eggplant! First fall planting completed! First wooley bear caterpiller (black on both ends orange stripe in the middle) First rite of the fall season….. The Crazy Spider Dance! Time for this farmer is marked less by the clock more by the seasons and this week the shadows began to lengthen, the morning air had a crisp bite to it and yes I experienced the Crazy Spider Dance, a definite sign fall is just around the corner. The Crazy… Read the rest of this article »

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Magical Sunday

August 16th, 2011
Daily Grace Farms | Blog

Rare is the day that the weather and my schedule work so beautifully together. Sunday morning I arise to glorious SUN with only the slightest breeze. The whole family had their own plans for the day (away from home). I was free!!! No meals, no taxiing service, no commitment!!! (things that usually keep this farmer from farming) Out the door I ran, fed the dog, chickens and the sheep then weeded, weeded, and weeded some more. Nine beds total ready to replant with winter crops.… Read the rest of this article »

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HELLO, Welcome to Daily Grace Farms

August 13th, 2011
Daily Grace Farms | Blog

I am honored to be included in the newest class of FRESHMAN FARMERS! Thank you, Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply for this wonderful opportunity! Special thanks to Matt and Angela @ Driftwood Farm for the warm welcome! Daily Grace Farms is now in its fifth official month of business…. Wow, how time flies. I started the year out with grand plans to have a 5 share CSA and to sell at one or both of our local farmers markets. The launch of the CSA program was a huge disappointment… Read the rest of this article »

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Vampires Beware

August 12th, 2011
Driftwood Farm | Blog

Ok, sorry, I know that’s a cheesy title. We recently harvested our garlic. Last year, we hung it in the barn to cure, but it seemed a bit too cool. This year, it’s in the garage, which stays more warm and dry - so when we open the door, we are greeted by the strong, delicious aroma of a favorite crop! We have had great success with the variety called California Early White. In our compost-amended, sandy loam soil, the bulbs have grown large and healthy. We… Read the rest of this article »

Tags: garlic

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Finding Balance

July 27th, 2011
Driftwood Farm | Blog

Here we are, in the thick of the growing season, and we’ll be missing the farmers market today. A ‘perfect storm’ of busy season at the day jobs, lots of farm work, and variable weather have created a situation where we don’t really have enough produce (at harvestable size) to make attending the market this week as worthwhile as catching up on things here. The alternating foggy and sunny weather have meant that it’s been difficult to properly predict when our produce (mainly leafy… Read the rest of this article »

Tags: balance, hours, rest, timing, weather

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Three farms are starting from scratch.

They are turning the dirt and hoping to be successful enough to turn a profit, and to become a valuable part of their communities as suppliers of organically grown food.

Peaceful Valley is giving them a head start by offering them special pricing as part of this Freshman Farmer program.

The Farm Blogs

Freshman:
New Farms Coming Soon!
Sophomores:
	Daily Grace Farms Crescent City, CA
	Freestone Family Farm Vernal, UT
	Wise Moon Farm Redding, CA
Graduates:
	Coyote House Farm Palermo, CA
	DeepSeeded Community Farm Arcata, CA
	Driftwood Farm Fort Bragg, CA
	EarthDance Farm St. Louis, MO
	Ellwood Canyon Farms Goleta, CA
	Four Frog Farm Penn Valley, CA
	Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm Poulsbo, WA
	Home Plate Organic Farm Orleans, CA
	Honey in the Heart Farm Nevada City, CA
	Willow Springs Farm Penn Valley, CA