It seems like it was just last week when we were freezing, and volunteers were filling the tunnels with seeds and plants. Now those plants are being harvested and the second round, which were planted outside under row cover, are almost ready to harvest. Warm weather vegetables are now being planted and covered; cool tolerant plants are being uncovered and mulched. All this is being accomplished by our school groups (we had 3 this week!), our regular volunteers, a few new volunteers, and our Skills Team.

Our 3rd graders came on a cool wet morning and helped with some weeding as they sang along with Ian. After Ian taught them his work songs, they suggested some of their favorites. City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie was one. Who are these old souls?

A group from the Brunswick High School Interact Club helped us on Friday. The weather was cold and gray again, but that did not seem to bother them. They weeded and prepped an entire plot that is now ready for planting carrots. They removed row covers, moved heavy pallets, and lots and lots of sandbags. I hope my appreciation was evident because 8 young, eager volunteers working 2 hours = a lot! Now the farm looks much more organized, and the mowing obstacles are fewer.

Our final group was the Cheverus Environmental Club. They came for three hours on Saturday and helped us with an interplanting of 200 peppers,180 lettuce seedlings and 90 parsley plants. Again–so much help from 8 young adults.

We had a fun Saturday morning project that our group of Saturday 8 o’clockers got to see from start to finish. (They usually start a project, then the next group finishes their work.) John moved some topsoil/compost up to the new upper field for us to create some triangular beneficial raised beds. Carrie and I are interested in finding some more perennial vegetables to add to all our annuals. Last year we planted some Jerusalem artichokes (or sunchokes), donated by her Mom, which were well received with last Fall’s offerings. So, since these tubers are aggressive but beautiful plants, we are hoping to corral them in these new beds. We, of course, had to add some additional flowers, so as you come up the lane you will be greeted by a blast of color.

BOB’S BACK!  Our Fabulous Fix-It Team was joined by Bob who has been away for a few weeks. The team was working on another mower mishap (of course caused by me!). I was mowing in left field (in my defense the grass was VERY high), and I ran over a big black irrigation pipe. John and Burnham felt compelled to exhibit the evidence. Thanks, guys. Tom put the final touches on our coat rack, which was immediately put to good use, and Bob lassoed a few greenhouse projects that have been on his to-do list. We’re SO happy you all are on our G2G team!  I promise to try not to create any more mower mishaps.

We had 21 volunteers on Saturday, an amazing number of people who gave up part of their weekend to come and help us. Then there are the other weekday volunteers, gleaners, board members, and interns, all quietly doing their parts to move this Food Bank Farm forward. Maybe that is why the kids chose the City of New Orleans–we are like a train moving forward.

As usual, all of us at G2G are so grateful for everyone’s help.

Sincerely,

Theda