Hello all,
I can't believe we are already preparing to deliver our last Spring Basket for the 2020 season! If you have not already done so don't forget to sign up for our Summer CSA program. We just opened up another 50 baskets but they have been selling quickly so don't wait to long to sign up! We are focusing primarily on our CSA program this year and until further notice will only be attending the Port Perry Lakefront Farmers Market starting on July 4th. This has been a tough decision to make but believe do to the current situation, feel that our time is best spent focusing on growing your food, not standing at a market. The CSA model allows for this option.
What an interesting season 2020 has become, what started with the same humble beginnings every season brings: seed orders in January, garden and business plan ready to execute by March. Has become a daily evaluation of next best steps, and new circumstances. I am glad I was born a farmer and learned from a young age to adapt quickly, and accept change, and the lack of control that every season brings or I wouldn't have had as many tools to cope with this new world we live in! I am watching as our centralized and global food systems are failing. Dairy farmers are dumping milk do to lack of processing facilities, large abattoirs are being shut down do to outbreaks with no other alternatives for processing, produce is rotting in fields do to labor shortages. Sad that so many people are struggling to put food on the table, while so much food is being wasted. There isn't a lack of supply it is a monopoly in the distribution systems and regulations that control our food supply that are the problem. Every community needs an egg grading center, an abattoir, a mill, and produce production. These are in my view a necessity to food security locally and I hope that this message is not lost as people return to work, and step back on the roller coaster of life. We cannot afford to let the awareness wax and wane, now we need the community to continue to demand for local food, and advocate for the pillars it needs to succeed. There are many organizations such as NFU (National Farmers Union), EFAO (Ecological Farmers Association), COG (Canadian Organic Growers), NON-GMO Project and such that you can search out and stay informed with!
Most of all just continue to support our local small businesses!
For the farm update I have to say, I am excited and nervous all at once! We have all our first plantings and seedings in the field and are keeping on schedule with our improvised team! But winter has come back???? I have faith in a plants will to live, so we won't be peeking under the row cover blankets until Monday! Keep you posted!
Cheers your farmer, Jess
SMILE!
"Putting the Culture Back in Agriculture!"
