Our week started out really nice. We had a celebration potluck for the Farm Skills Team. It was nice enough to be outside and great to be together. I am proud and excited to report that out of the eight participants, two have definite farm jobs, one is still pending, another is taking her skills to volunteer, and one of our participants is taking her expanded knowledge to educate and grow food for her community. There is one who plans to go to culinary school. The other two have skills and knowledge that they will carry with them, and I am positive it will impact their lives in many genuine ways.
Riley started on Tuesday. She is the first of our four Bowdoin interns who will be with us for most of the summer. It was another beautiful day, and she and Wendi helped me start to get flowers planted for our donation garden.
We had a gleaning on Wednesday. Lettuce and Hakurei were harvested, and more rhubarb went out to be processed. Another 150 pounds was donated–we are feeling good about this!
Terry, David, Lee, BJ, and Justin filled one of our grow tunnels with beautiful eggplant seedlings and sweet Carmen peppers. This tunnel became very weedy last fall, so we tarped it, then laid cardboard and straw over the beds. We gave the worms a couple of weeks to get to work, and these volunteers planted directly into those layers with mulch already in place. In the photo you might notice the sides are all the way up on the tunnel–it’s starting to warm up.
We had a few extra seedlings to share, and Justin had never tried, yes, you guessed it, Hakurei turnips, so I had to share some of those, too!
Thursday promised to be over 90, so we were watering and venting everything! I was worried our cool weather crops would just bolt.
Carol was plugging away on seed starting cucumbers this time. Thanks, Carol, for keeping us on track with seedlings!
On Thursday it was 91 degrees! Genevieve and Riley were suffering in the heat, and we called it an early day.
Friday was also 91. We had two “not used to the heat” school groups. They have been with us many times this season and were a great help. We tried to find them easy, out of the sun tasks, but it was hard for all of us. We wished them a great summer and hope to see them in the Fall when they will be studying indigenous foods, and, coincidentally, we will be growing some indigenous foods!
The weather forecast was for cooler temps and rain. I reluctantly started closing up tunnels and row covers. It was 91, but the prediction was for an overnight low of 41.
The Fix-It Team kept plugging away. (Thanks, Fixers!)
I think we might have given Denise and David heat stroke. I think their smiles in this photo are a bit forced! Thanks to you both for your determination to finish your assignment!
Now we are experiencing JUNE GLOOM. Apparently this is a weather pattern that happens annually, usually in May, when the weather reverts to April temps and precipitation.
I am loving the rain–we really needed it, but…the temperature Saturday was a high of 46 with a wind chill of 38!
Come on, seriously? The volunteers were freezing, my staff were freezing, and I was freezing. We found work in the tunnels to stay out of the rain, and any time it would stop, I would say, ”Check the weather app. How much time do we have?” Then we would run out and put hoops and row cover on vulnerable plants.
By lunch we were soaked, and Riley’s lips were turning BLUE!
What amazes me most about this week are the volunteers. They show up in all kinds of weather, smiling and chatting, all happy to be together doing meaningful work.
My final photo is of Riley and Genevieve laughing, giggling, and shivering! How lucky am I to get to spend time with these two?
If you would like to sweat or shiver with us, our GREEN THUMB CHALLENGE is happening on July 7, 8, and 11. It’s a fundraiser for Growing to Give to help us keep growing food for our neighbors in need. Similar to a walk-a-thon, participants commit to work a three-hour shift (times listed below) and find supporters to sponsor their volunteer time. Groups and teams are welcome, and it makes the time go quicker. Each person and/or team is encouraged to raise $500. Snacks and drinks will be provided and there are prizes for the highest fundraisers! Register Here.
This was a wild weather week. I hope the JUNE GLOOM passes quickly, because blue lips were not a good look on Riley. Thanks for joining us, Riley. We are excited to have you at the farm!
Always grateful,
Theda
A couple of save-the-dates to put on your calendar for the 2023 season:
September 16 | Farmyard Jam Community Music Festival & Farm Day
Join us for an afternoon of live music, food trucks, and yard games! Tickets will be available for advance purchase on our website and on site the day of the event.
September 18 | Scooping For Community
Patrons who visit the Gelato Fiasco shop in Brunwick and mention Growing to Give will have 75% of their purchase funds go towards our nonprofit!
October 15 | Volunteer Appreciation Day
Growing to Give volunteers are invited to join us for a celebration to show our appreciation to you for helping make it all happen. Location and time TBD.
November 15 | Brews for a Cause
Flight Deck Brewing in Brunswick will donate 20% of all beer and pizza sales to Growing to Give. Stay tuned for more details!