One of the most exciting thing that I’ve seen lately is the seven day forecast. It feels like we are underwater here and desperate for a few blue days to help us dry out. We’re seeing the fall-out of so much rain in the veggie fields. The tops of cabbage and broccoli have brown spots where the water sits, rot has developed in a lot of the winter squash and I’m afraid to look underground where the root veggies are still growing and storing their sugars. The raised rows that I prepared last month to plant garlic in are covered by stubborn puddles. The water has also hampered our construction projects–creating dangerous, slippery slides in place of driveways and instantly filling any hole you dig with a pool of water. A solid week of windy sun should go a long way in helping out.

We welcomed a little heifer calf, Winifred, in the chilly and wet wee hours of Monday morning. This is the first calf for Willa, one of our Jerseys. Winnie’s a wee one herself, part Jersey and part Devon, sired by our bull Hal. You may be able to catch a glimpse of her in the field directly behind the bank barn. One giant bruise later (on me not her) her mom has adjusted well to the milking stanchion, and now stands nicely for milking time.

Next Thursday (October 13) we are having our fall member dinner and meeting. Pick-up will be from 4 to 6 as usual with dinner promptly afterwards. Following dinner we will have a (quick) meeting where you will have a chance to share your favorite things about the farm this year, as well as what changes, additions, etc that you hope to see in the future. We make a lot decisions based on your input so please plan on joining in. RSVP to this email or at the pick-up so we know how many to expect.

***We’ve made a few changes from our previous dinners due to our larger size. This time around we are asking for everyone to bring a side dish, dessert and/or drinks to share. We’ll be making a couple of main dishes (one with meat and one vegetarian). This is a members only function. We are a big group now, in order to fit everyone in one area and have a concise and informative meeting we need to ask that only members attend.

In the veggie share: Ruby red sauerkraut, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, best sweet and hot peppers of the season, mesclun mix, kale, chard, cabbage, carrots, beets, leeks, onions, bunching onions, garlic, black and white bean. U-pick jack-o-lantern pumpkins for all kids. More broccoli, spinach and lettuce to come.

In the meat share: Beef, beef broth, chickens, chicken organs and feet. Help yourself anytime to lard and leaf-lard in the milkhouse freezer.

See you all tonight between 4 and 6,
Sara Kurak
Full and By Farm