Freshman Farmer | New Organic Farms Set Roots

Posts Tagged ‘farming’

Amazing Journey

April 12th, 2010
Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm | Blog

Sara here!

I know that we’ve said this before, and I don’t want to come off as an amateur, because I’ve learned a lot, but Jared and I have absolutely no experience with agriculture prior to 3 years ago, this being the 4th, so we are still encountering new experiences almost everyday. We are also a newly married couple who are working out the kinks of sharing life, work and a business. I’d love to brag and say that we’re handling it all with amazing finesse, but, well, I’m not going to do that

That said, we both very much enjoy what we do, and each other (most of the time) and are so grateful for all of the opportunities that have been afforded us, and are so thankful to be a part of the community where we reside. We both have no desire to do anything but this, and will continue to do that as long as it makes financial sense for us, and if we need to take a break from it, will return to it as soon as we can afford to.

We had the first Poulsbo Farmers Market this week, and all I can say is WOW! it was a blustery day, but we had a great turn out. The market it’s self has doubled since last year, and was maxed out, vendor-wise, which is very exciting. I didn’t have a chance to snap any photos, but hope to have some for next week.

We’re very much looking forward to the new market that we will be a part of in Suquamish which has it’s opening day on the 14th.

Jared and I have been seeding, transplanting, and hardening off all of our little darling plants. This year will be the first year that both Jared and I will be able to spend a majority of our time on the farm, so it will stand as a template for future decisions and are very much looking forward to see what the results will be.

back to the field!

Tags: farming life, Poulsbo Farmers Market

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And Switch

August 10th, 2009
Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm | Blog

I just closed out a wonderful tour with the band the Fleet Foxes. This 12 day run took us to DC, PA, NJ, RI, Montreal, Toronto, MI, IL, and MN. I do enjoy mixing this talented band. Our experience on SNL was replayed tonight so I hope maybe some of you caught it?

I’m really looking forward to that first day home when I spend hours walking our rows looking at all the new growth and developments on the farm. I’m always taken back by the changes that occur in only a mere few weeks. My wife, Sara, has been doing a fantastic job taking care of everything. I can’t wait to hear all the stories! Tomorrow I return to the dirt and I’m ready for the switch. Sara has made a schedule that’s working for her so instead of me coming home and freaking out on work overload I’m going work with the schedule she’s developed and not work myself so hard. I hope this will help restore balance and provide time for us to enjoy our lives and our farm. I can’t wait to be back with the farm!
BTW: Please look for video on our blog as I’ve finally learned how to uploaded some footage and did so backstage during the concerts. I hope PV post some edits soon!

Tags: solo farming

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Trying My Best

May 2nd, 2009
Hand Sown Homegrown Heritage Farm | Blog

Here it goes, I need to stop complaining about farming to my wife. It’s hard work, I’m fine with that but I love it dearly and I need to keep on keeping on. I honestly believe farming is what me and my wife should be doing. I need to stop believing that I’m going to fail at this for some darn reason and continue to farm the best that I and my wife can. I need to still tour as long as I can. This is a challenge as we are barely making it right now. … Read the rest of this article »

Tags: farming life

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Fall Vacation

November 19th, 2008
Four Frog Farm | Blog

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 »

Tags: climbing, farming, vacation

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Fair Pricing

October 30th, 2008
Four Frog Farm | Blog

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 »

Tags: capitalist, economics, economy, farming economy, groceries, market value, money, pricing, tomatoes, wal-mart, walmart, whole foods

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Terrible Day

August 25th, 2008
Four Frog Farm | Blog

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… Read the rest of this article »

Tags: advice, aphids, farming, pests

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Why I Farm

June 30th, 2008
Four Frog Farm | Blog

I have been asking this question of myself all throughout the season. It’s not on my mind because I am unhappy with the farming; on the contrary…I am contented with how the season is going and am trying to affirm a deeper purpose with this work. I farm because I love it. This activity makes me feel happy. If I weren’t farming I would want a big garden, and I would probably make the garden bigger and bigger until I was farming. Ideally, I farm to be a greater, more valuable… Read the rest of this article »

Tags: community, CSA, farming, garden, grass valley, making a living, nevada city, northern california, organic, service, sierras, vegetables

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Ryan’s first entry

April 23rd, 2008
Four Frog Farm | Blog

This is my first entry of the Freshmen Farmer Blog. My name is Ryan Montgomery, and I am going to be Andrew’s main helper on the farm for the season. I have known Andrew since I was two and we have been pretty much best buds ever since. Andrew told me he was starting his own farm about 5 months ago and asked me to help. I kind of was hestitant at first, but then I jumped on the chance. I figured this would be a great adventure and something I needed to experience in my life. I am very… Read the rest of this article »

Tags: farming, hard work, ryan

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Part 4 - Checking In On The Farm

April 7th, 2008
Four Frog Farm | Blog

[display_podcast] Andrew’s farm has really begun to take shape. Irrigation is laid out, tomatoes are in the ground, and he is starting to talk about the first boxes… yum! As it takes shape, it is great to realize that the challenges are all worth it, and are a vital part of farming. To view the video larger, either download it to your computer, or click here to watch it on YouTube Read the rest of this article »

Tags: boxes, CSA, farm, farming, growing, irrigation, video

Posted in: Videos

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The True Romance Of Farming

March 20th, 2008
Four Frog Farm | Blog

Today was just one of those days where I looked at the field and all of the transplants that are strong and healthy, and I thought: “Man, this is awesome.” Today was the romance version of farming. And how could it not be romantic when you’re doing exactly what you love? It doesn’t matter that my wage per hour would probably qualify me for a host of government programs (alas, no subsidies for the vegetables I grow - does that make any sense!). This is the only job I’ve… Read the rest of this article »

Tags: farming, good times, greenhouse, peppers, transplants, work

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« Older entries

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