"It is a farewell day – to Courtney, who is off to Keeseville, and to Chad, who has been here full time with us for the busy season, but will now focus on his own projects. We send them both with lots of thanks, best wishes, and a few tears. One of the hardest parts of having … [Read more...] about Essex Farm: Farewells
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Full and By Farm: Water Issues
On Friday our spring ran dry. We cobbled together a makeshift water system for ourselves and the animals—siphoning out of the pond and trucking tanks of water down from the neighbors—interjecting short-term disaster control with long-term planning. Tuesday and Wednesday we buried … [Read more...] about Full and By Farm: Water Issues
Essex Farm: Keep Our Fingers Crossed
"Fickle weather! Most of the rain passed us by this week, falling just to our north and south. We did get about half an inch – more of a sip than the deep cool drink the plants are craving. We expect slow growth, late or limited second cut hay, and limited pasture this summer, … [Read more...] about Essex Farm: Keep Our Fingers Crossed
Full and By Farm: We Need a Drink
The scant quarter inchof rain we finally collected this week was not enough to make much of a dent in the dry soil. The vegetables and pastures are hurting badly for it with stunted vegetative growth and poor yields. Many of the crops that are starting to come in are coming with … [Read more...] about Full and By Farm: We Need a Drink
Essex Farm: Toils & Troubles
"It’s been a stressful week around here. Mark is still wrestling with his injury, trying to find a balance between the rest that his body needs and the work that needs to get done. All the plants want rain, and there is nothing we can do about that. Cash flow is tight – the … [Read more...] about Essex Farm: Toils & Troubles