By the looks of the latest wintry snowfalls, Winter has rolled in to the Essex and the Champlain Valley region with more of a bang and less of a whimper, and a few weeks before the Solstice.

Winter at its worst is about enduring the bitter cold and hoping you have enough firewood to last the season. At its best, Winter is a time for reflection—for a look back on the year and an opportunity to assess what lies ahead in the journey.

An Honest Assessment

I’m really happy with the progress we’ve made thus far on the farm despite our eagerness to dig in the dirt and get started.

Do I wish we were farming and actually producing something already?

Yes. I absolutely do and want nothing more!

But since we only bought the place in April 2014 and I’ve been working off-farm full-time to help build up the financial foundation for future farm plans, it’s not all that bad.

What Lies Ahead

I get a lot of my thinking (and everything else) done in the garage. It’s the perfect alone-time space for contemplation about what lies ahead for Triple Green Jade Farm

2015 should prove to be a pivotal year for us. In the Summer we hope to “kick-off” a few things at the farm. Stay tuned for news about our CSA.

Because of its location and easy access from Mountain View Drive, the garage will become our “farm store.” Every chance I get this Winter, you will find me there renovating away.

There’s a ton of planning and logistics to occur before Summer 2015 in order to make this a reality but I think we can pull it off!

Winter Reflections

Snow and icy weather have a way of slowing us down to nature’s pace despite our fast-paced daily routines. This is what makes the Winter up here so unique among the seasons.

On the plus side, it affords us the time to make plans and try to get all the little details right for what truly counts, if we choose to use the time wisely.

Related Stories

• Taking Down An Old Silo (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Bringing An Old Farm Back To Life (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)