This week of tropical breezes and warm rain showers seems to be extending our growing season. We had another 1,000 pound donation week, closing in on 13,000 pounds. The tomatoes are coming to the end of their epic production and the zucchini plants were pulled. 1,300 spinach and lettuce seedlings were planted, they were a donation from Songbird Farm in Unity, ME. Thanks to their generous donation, we should have lots of late season greens to donate and hopefully the spinach will be there for us next Spring. Seven very determined women were able to accomplish this planting in their two hour volunteer time slot! While this was going on, Carrie and I were helping to pick, wash, weigh, and box 475 lb. of produce with the help of four Merrymeeting Gleaners. Lots of activity, multitasking, and collaboration gave us all a huge sense of accomplishment.
Finn and Vera, with Mom Emily, were part of this busy day. They harvested lettuce, washed it, and boxed it up in the field. The dynamic duo were very helpful in transporting these boxes back and forth. It is great to see them arrive with big smiles on their faces. Sometimes I get a High Five!
Saturday is typically a day when we get extra help. Volunteers are so generous in spending part of their weekend helping us at G2G. This weekend I got to see several special summer friends–Paul and Raizel and Riley. It amazes me that these extremely busy students find their way back to us to donate some of their precious time. Paul needed to check on his goat friends, and Raizel brought along another Colby student to help out. Here they are cleaning lots and lots of leeks with two Bowdoin students, who came to do a Saturday gleaning.
We have had an ongoing joke about tomato hornworms. Some people detest them, others are fascinated and one person in particular says he would try one, if cooked properly. These insects were celebrated at our Saturday end of Summer potluck. Andrew actually researched insect desserts and came up with these strangely appealing and, at the same time, appalling creations!
Last week I remarked on our not so successful broccoli crop. Here I am displaying our prize winning head. It actually measures 3 inches across! You win some, you lose some. Those hot July and August days sent the wrong signals to this broccoli crop. Very tall and green, but no broccoli heads in sight.
Although the temperatures were very summerlike this past week, the colors of Fall are beginning to appear. Most of us at the farm like sweatshirt weather and love living where we get to witness the beauty of the changing seasons. The farm is such a great place to experience this firsthand.
Thanks to our regular volunteers, our new friends, and my summer friends who came this week. We were able to accomplish so much because of your generosity.
Sincerely,
Theda