The fall vibe deepens: chilly mornings, pervasive dampness even when rain is absent, a general dimness that resolves to gloom by nightfall. Quiet seems the dominant state, where we all go about our tasks of harvesting, cleanup, crop protection, and even packing csa shares with little commentary or animation. Still, we very much enjoy our daily tasks, and continue to feel a deep satisfaction in and gratitude for this meaningful work. It's just a bit melancholy right now, seeing the rotting stems and buds of crops which grew riotously only a few weeks earlier. We miss the basil and tomatoes and manic harvests when there was so much to bring in we thought we couldn't possibly do it, and yet we did. The lovely thing about farming is that it's fully in the grip of nature's cycle of life, death, decay, and rebirth. So we know this rotting gloominess will continue for a while and then another shift will occur, the days lengthen once again, and as if by sudden, seeds will sprout, the land blush a bright green. And for yet another season, we'll be farmers again.
This week's photo: Arden on our Kubota tractor, discing damp fall soil in preparation of sowing a cover crop of rye and vetch, which Ashley was able to complete the next day. By the end of the month we should see a light mist of green across the ground, and then the next stop: Spring!
Extra Crops Available for Swapping or Purchase this week: Apples (Cloud Mt. Farm Center, Everson), Brussels Sprouts, Shiitake Mushrooms (Cascadia Mushrooms, Bellingham), Red Beets (Cabrera Farms, Mt. Vernon), Eggs (Misty Meadows, Everson), Kohlrabi, and Celeriac.
Important Dates:
Final CSA Deliveries: December 2nd and/or 9th depending on share frequency and initial signup date.
Delivery Thanksgiving Week: TUESDAY, November 24th (to assist those members traveling out of area for the Holiday)
Pork Share Deliveries: November delivery is on Tuesday the 24th. December delivery to be confirmed.
