I encountered a very busy time of year recently. Every day has its own unique challenges and tasks. We are doing three markets per week and we do our CSA pickup twice per week. That takes up a lot of time. Between harvesting and the produce exchange, that is most of the time.
However, we still have to do successive plantings because the CSA goes for another 12 weeks. We have done 12 weeks, and only 12 more!!! I am excited only because I look forward to fulfilling my committment to the CSA members. So, fitting in the successions is difficult becuase (a) we have run out of space in the farm and are now double cropping and (b) the time for planning and planting is limited.
I don’t like double cropping a space, but on small acreage and doing what I want to do, it is an inevitability. This makes me know that I need more space for next year, so don’t just tax our small space.
The aphids have become a presence on the cucurbits, especially the squash. I am trying to keep on top of them using GC Mite, which is a garlic-clove- cottonseed oil spray. It is pretty effective.
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: | |
![]() | 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 |
| 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 |