During an evening dip in the pond last week I was reveling over the deep brown of my arms and shoulders—about equal parts of dirt and sun—a sure sign that summer is well under way here and I'm in my happiest element. The squash and tomatoes are settling themselves in nicely … [Read more...] about Full and By Farm: Things Are Growing!
Essex NY Weather
Avalanche Season at Essex Farm
"It’s avalanche season, work-wise [at Essex Farm]. As long as the weather holds we are all under pressure to get things plowed! composted! planted! weeded! fixed! moved! while simultaneously keeping up with all the quotidian work that the great living machine demands. This … [Read more...] about Avalanche Season at Essex Farm
Eye of the Storm
"There is an eerie calm at Pok-O these days. Only 15 kids are onsite right now and a day group with a great history with us will be arriving later this morning. The staff has hit their stride for the spring and the weather has done nothing but agree with us for the … [Read more...] about Eye of the Storm
Farm vs. Storm
"The thing that makes farming so interesting – and sometimes so heartbreaking – is the unpredictability that is built into natural systems. You really can’t count your chickens before they hatch. As farmers, our impulse is to control as many variables as we can (which is how we … [Read more...] about Farm vs. Storm
It Continues to Spring (or Sprung?)
"Thunderstorms came. Yesterday, another notch on the post of 'what defines spring' was violently slashed as lightning dotted the turbulent skies in the middle of the afternoon. As we began our afternoon activities, we heard the first rumblings and quickly acted switching one … [Read more...] about It Continues to Spring (or Sprung?)