Farm Report 12/23/23 - It’s almost a wrap!

Farm Report 12/23/23 – It’s almost a wrap!

Just when I thought we were finished for the season, the weather shifted, and we were able to continue with projects and more harvesting!

So here is what we have been up to:

Our new storage shed kit arrived on a giant pallet. It took seven of us two hours to move and organize it in the greenhouse. We wanted to make sure all the lumber was there and keep the snow off of it so it would be accessible for a possible weekend building project.

But the snow arrived, which put the thoughts of building the shed on the back burner. Shifting gears, I called Judy to see if she would help Carol and me harvest greens. Judy delivers to a small group of retired folks in Lisbon. They are on very limited incomes and always welcome fresh spinach and Swiss chard. Even though there was snow on the ground, the tunnels were warm and cozy–easy picking. Judy took her greens to Lisbon, and Carol dropped off the rest at MCHPP.

The weather warmed up, the snow melted, and the Fix-It Team arrived to start putting the storage shed kit together. John Newlin set us up with a perfectly laid gravel pad so the team was able to lay the floor and start to put the sides up. On day two, the rafters went up, and we closed in the end walls. The weather was perfect for being outside and being together again! Thanks to John Hayes, Burnham, Diana, David, Tom, Dylan, and of course, our team leader….Bob! If the weather continues to cooperate next Friday and Saturday, we might be able to get the metal roof on.

As the season was ending, there was a question that kept coming up. “Theda, was it a successful season?” Our total production numbers were way down due to rain, stressed plants, more rain, bugs, more rain, and rain. Being an eternal optimist, I like to look at the bigger picture.

1) Lots of Children visiting.

2) Volunteers smiling. We were privileged to have over 200 volunteers this year, logging over 4,000 hours!

3) A beautiful organic farm with thousands of pounds of vegetables growing.

4) Our goal to extend the seasons is happening. December 19th–baby carrots and spinach harvested!

4) A fantastic, supportive team of women running the farm.

5) Finally, we had two new little people join as volunteers this year. Their task is putting smiles on all who encounter them! They are very good at their job!