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May 2023

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May 2023 Newsletter

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I write Spring time greetings to all who read. Spring is a wonderful time to be alive and celebrate the change of seasons. Here on the farm, we are enjoying spring to the fullest. The flowering trees are blooming. The grass fields and hillside pastures are a lush green.

The birds are returning from their southern homes, including Barn Swallows and Purple Martins.  We depend on Purple Martins and Barn Swallows for fly and mosquito control on the farm. Their singing is an added bonus.

Another highlight of spring is the school picnics. These are held at the school during the last week of the school year with all of the parents and students attending. The afternoon is full of volleyball and kickball played with friendly competition between the fathers and students.
For all of the growers in our co-operative, onion planting is almost complete and the plants are off to a great start. We are aiming to be planting corn and beans around the first week of May. It is always so amazing to watch the tender young plants emerge from the ground 5-12 days after planting. This year we planted 100,000 onion plants with the help of our neighbors. We expect to harvest around the end of July and hope for at least 80,000 lbs.

While standing in my onion fields each day, I am struck by the beauty and simplicity of life. Despite the many challenges that farmers face, there is something truly special about working the land and being able to provide nourishing food for our families and communities.

So as you enjoy the onions that we have grown, I hope you will also take a moment to reflect on the beauty of life and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Whether you are a farmer or not, we all have a role to play in creating a more sustainable and just world. And together, we can build a brighter future for generations to come.
A cultivating implement
A simple, yet handy implement we use to cultivate. Easily pulled by a draft horse.
But farming is not just about providing food. It is about cultivating a way of life that honors the earth and the gifts it has given us. It is about living in harmony with nature and embracing the rhythms of the seasons. It is about hard work and perseverance, and about the joy of seeing the fruits of our labor. With the coming of spring, the cows and horses are being turned out to pasture. One of my personal favorite scenes is a horse on pasture with a baby colt frisking by her side. Here on our farm, we are anticipating the arrival of one colt in June.

As a farmer, I am inspired by the teachings of my ancestors and the values they passed down to me. We believe in living a life that is grounded in faith, community, and stewardship of the land.

Beef and cheese are ready to ship – shop now on ChopLocal