The winter cover crops in our fields look like beautiful lush green carpets. They are important to improve our soils by building organic matter, suppressing weeds, resurface and supply plant nutrients to our crops, reduce erosion and improve water quality. In a few weeks they will be mowed and tilled back into the earth. Our [...]
"To plant a seed and believe that it will germinate, out-compete weeds, bloom, set fruit, and be harvested and sold at a fair price is a great leap of faith." - Organic farming pioneers, Denesse Willey of T&D Willey Farms in Fresno,CA For some it may be a trivial matter but for farmers and gardeners [...]
During a discussion about the farm’s finances, Constance wondered whether the prices we charge for our crops reflect their true cost. What does a bunch of carrots in your CSA share really cost? Is the $2.00/bunch we charge customers at the farmer’s market a fair exchange? Pricing is complex and not an exact science. In [...]
Once again mother nature is stirring to commence another seasonal cycle of life. The strawberry plants are starting to sprout new leaves and flower buds, signaling that the winter energy stored in the soil is starting to push up to the surface. Right now is a good time to remove any weeds growing in the [...]
The last two weeks of dry weather offer a welcome window of opportunity to get some early field work done. Seeds are not only being sown in the greenhouse but directly into the soil in a number of well drained fields, dry enough for the tractors to get in and prepare some planting beds. Sowing [...]
Farmer Tom here - one of my favorite things to do during the winter months is pruning our apple orchards. Pruning is an important activity which I view as a conversation of sorts, where the main objective of every cut is about the long term well-being of the trees. You only get one opportunity at [...]
The last 7 days we have enjoyed the visit of a group of 8 Williams College students who, together with their teacher, have been exploring California’s Central Coast foodshed to learn about food and farming issues as part of a 4 week-long winter course. With the weather being so nice, they had a chance to [...]
Many of the vegetable varieties that grow well here on the farm during the winter season belong to the Mustard family. Although each variety will vary in appearance, you can always tell from their cross-shaped flowers that they are related, hence another common family name they are known by is Crucifers or Brassicas. The more [...]
Happy New Year to All!!! 2013 is the beginning of our 19th Growing Season, and all of us here at the Farm recognize our resilience is built upon and supported by a diverse and interconnected community of people, plants, and animals. We are grateful that we have been able to nourish and rely on this [...]
With Winter upon us I welcome this period in the farming cycle to take some time to reflect upon this past year's accomplishments, challenges, and learning opportunities. The germinating cover crops blanketing the moist dark soil feel peaceful... almost comforting. Where only a few weeks ago we were still busy harvesting crops, now the fields [...]
