“All the ag rags are leading with news of the weather. “Unusual Weather Patterns Leave Farmers Scratching Their Heads”, reads front page of the Farm Bureau organ, Grassroots. This was New York’s second warmest winter on record, and the warmest March in North America since 1895. The fruit trees [at Essex Farm] blossomed early, and then a late-April freeze whacked them all, leading to a request from legislators to declare the weather a natural disaster, to get federal aid. I agree with the disaster part. The natural part, not so much. But back to here and now.
The beauty of extreme diversification is that our chips are spread all over the table. The late freeze was unfortunate, but not a dealbreaker. The first blooms on the Early Glow strawberries got nipped, but we’ll still get a crop. The asparagus that was up and out of the ground got knocked down, but it will keep coming. (We have our first taste of that in the share today, and in a few weeks we should have enough for all members to take as much as you want.) Pasture is coming slowly, and dairy cows are grateful for the beautiful 18” tall rye/vetch cover crop they are grazing in Monument Field, to supplement the grass. The dairy crew is moving the herd three times a day, so that they don’t wreck the slightly-too-wet soil. And isn’t May milk the most beautiful of the year…” [Continue reading | Kristin Kimball.]
Cattle grazing (Image courtesy of Essex Farm)
“I’m teaching a creative writing workshop at Black Kettle Farm on Tuesday, May 22nd, from 6pm to 8:30pm. We’ll do some writing exercises, discuss goals, and talk about how to reconcile the creative force with productivity. The workshop will focus on writing but I think anyone who works creatively (for business or pleasure) will find it useful. Way back in my old life in New York City, I used to teach workshops for a living and I am really looking forward to this, so please come.” [Kristin Kimball.]
All levels and genres are welcome, no experience necessary. Adults only, $10 per person, to benefit Lakeside School. Reserve a place by calling Lakeside at 518-963-7384 or emailing info@lakesideschoolinessex.org.
Also, the next Essex Farm tour is scheduled for June 9th, so keep an eye on your calendars!
Passionate about reading and writing stories, Katie Shepard enjoys discovering more about her home while writing and editing for Essex on Lake Champlain. Katie graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2011 where she studied English literature, philosophy, and Asian studies. Her first book Essex, New York Architecture: A Doodler's Field Guide was published in 2015.
Leave a Reply