06/14/2012
Hello Everybody!!!
(Our first update.....I would appreciate if one our 44 fabfans would tell me, does this message show up in your facebook notifications or you just see it if you happen upon our page...?)
Anyway, our season is underway! We are growing in the smaller, upper field which was once occupied by my old (legendary) horse Cecil and his donkey friend Victor (who is absolutely still alive and well!). They gave us years of fertilizer, but we have brought in much more of their old compost along with cow manure, leaves, and straw to get our soil conditioned to grow the beautiful, organic produce we are now producing!
First, may I introduce our farmers!! Both of them are too cool and busy and of-the-earth for facebook, so girls, if you spotted Nate at the market, that's where to find him! Internet stalking is out!
Nate Johnson is an old Foote school classmate of mine. Until about 7th grade, we had the same hairstyle (The Hanson Haircut-his better combed than mine) and could easily be mistaken for one another. Nate is Bowdoin graduate and a true jack of all trades. Along with being an accomplished painter and artist, Nate is an excellent carpenter, plumber, mechanic, surfer, beekeeper, chef, and vegetable caregiver! Truly, float an idea past him and he will make it a reality. Nate has been a willing, underpaid help on the farm since April when he arrived home from his cross-country drive from California. He has put the tractor and his bare hands to use clearing a massive space for our second greenhouse, and compost area, along with devising a totally awesome plumbing solution for our vegetable washing station. Overall, Nate is a gift. We are grateful for Nate.
Next up Jon Streiff!! Jon just arrived two weeks ago but has been our teacher and guide through the whole process of planning the garden, and bringing it to where it is now. Jon is a Hampshire grad, and pal of Nate's from high school. He has been actively working on farms since college, and is on a hard and fast track to become guy who can call himself "a farmer." He has worked on farms in western Mass, Portland Oregon, and all over the American South. Jon and his girlfriend Pesha (soon to join our squad), have just finished a six month farm hop, WWOOFing their way around our southern states. Jon has seen farming done so many ways. He has an infinite supply of ideas and energy! He has a vision for our farm, and he will see it through. I am so grateful for Jon and Nate, I can't even explain. They are the backbone of this project!!
So what is happening on The Land right now? Growth! Our season started off a little slow and rocky (though not as many rocks as I anticipated!), but after a failed lettuce crop, and some yellowish radishes (which were starving for nitrogen), we have hit quite a little groove. Going to market now we have a gourmet salad mix (inspired by the awesome Debby Farber of Martha's Vineyard), head lettuce, squash blossoms, baby zucchini, radishes, and garlic scapes! In the ground we have Heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, beets, carrots, onions, garlic, flowers, and (Jon's personal project) the corn/beans/squash trifecta. We are thrilled to be bringing all of this awesome stuff to the CitySeed run Edgewood Farmers Market in Westville, New Haven. The market happens every Sunday from 10-2. Look for us with the bright orange tent!
Thank you to my family for making this project possible. Everyone has put their weight and support behind us, and I feel really lucky. Seriously, yall are so awesome. And thank you to my manpal Brendan, who has loved and supported me and encouraged me to reach outside of my comfort zone to accomplish bigger things. He is also our trusty web coordinator, and I thank him for that. Our website will be updated sooooon. Also, thank you again to Jon & Nate. This whole thing is moving forward thanks to you.
More updates and pictures to come! Tell your pals to "like" our page and you will be a part of spreading the news that East Haven CT has a thriving little organic farm!
Love & Thanks (to all but the mosquitos, slugs and pests..)
Kit
