I am so sick of aphids. Why are they everywhere? Lord, what did I do wrong? My farm has a huge natural population of aphids that just exploded once the succulent vegetable plants came on the scene. Once the veggies arrived, the aphids latched on way quicker than the ladybugs, lacewings and syphids could eat them. Geeeeze.
Farming is tough, for me. I guess that makes the triumphs that much better.
I have learned a lot of lessons this year. One is that, sometimes, farming sucks. I wanted to quit earlier today, which is only about the seventh time this year I have wanted to. How many of you farmers out there want to quit every season?
And, you know, farming is really good sometimes. It isn’t the panacea to man’s problems… trust me. There are way too many existential issues to tackle out there. To give advice to myself, don’t go into farming thinking it is going to simplify life… no way. It will make life way more complicated and you may experience anxiety and emotions that could land you in jail. BUT… it also does a magical job of bringing people together, giving one the feeling of accomplishment that most jobs lack, and puts you in touch with an aspect of reality that is god-reminding. So, it’s a mixed bag and the first-year farmer is somewhat of a martyr. Since I still don’t really know what I am doing, I make a lot of mistakes, but I am learning and I think next year will be so much better (idealism is essential in farming).
Ry and I have been holding down the farm the last couple of days - solo - just like it was until the last part of June. We have been harvesting and planting for the early fall.
So, I see a lot of good and also a lot of room for improvement out at the farm. As I may have hinted, the crops were a little water deficient this year - a product of ongoing drought here in the west and lower aquifer levels. That helped shepherd the aphids to some crops - summer squash, watermelons, cucumbers, winter squash, pumpkins. The aphids have been my biggest challenge, aside from managing limited water. Now we have the water nailed, thanks to Muffy and Glenn, who are the best farm supporters (they are the landowners).
Yet, the aphids have established themselves as a presence in the field and I am trying to plant stuff that they won’t eat, and if they like what I plant, I have been spraying GC MIte (Garlic and Clove oil base, for aphids, mites, thrips). It works pretty well. It’s pretty low-grade - no pesticide suit necessary, which works for me. Anyway, this is my challenge. We lost the summer squash to aphids, which may be just as well, because, after 3 straight months of zucchini and crookneck, it seemed that most (not all) the members aren’t missing it.
Well, I am just trying to congratulate myself for what has been a job well-done, and learn from lots of mistakes. There are 8 weeks of CSA left, and I’ve done and planted all I can for that, mostly.
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.
| Freshman: | |
| New Farms Coming Soon! | |
| Sophomores: | |
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| Graduates: | |
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![]() | Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm Poulsbo, WA |
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![]() | Willow Springs Farm Penn Valley, CA |
| Coyote House Farm Palermo, CA |
| Daily Grace Farms Crescent City, 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 |
| Freestone Family Farm Vernal, UT |
| 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 |
| Wise Moon Farm Redding, CA |