Well, I just read my last post on May 1, 2018. So much has happened since then. The remodel for the wash-up station and storage area was completed - water, electricity, insulation all around, clean area to process and pack produce and a cool place to do it in. The East field is open and fenced. I planted out half of the field last year, building the soil and trialing about half of the crops on Harmony Baking Company’s top 20 list. Its a joy to build relationship with that company.

This year, the field will be doubled, increasing to a total of 20 - 4 ft. X 40 ft. raised beds. I’m hoping to provide all of the crops on Harmony’s list plus have a showing at the Estacada Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 11 am-3 pm at the Wade Creek House across from the Library uptown Estacada. The first Market is May 11th so put it on your calendars and come check out our table. And check out the calendar on our website to confirm the Saturdays we will be at the market.

We have exciting projects already starting this year. The farm kitchen remodel is in full swing and will be completed before March is out. I’m already researching and gathering information about different food preservation methods and products that can be made from the produce coming out of our gardent this year (salsa, chutney, pesto, sauerkraut, kimchi…). I hope to start classes in the kitchen as early as August with the windfall of produce available at that time of year.

Also, I have an application in with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, a federal program that encourages and helps land owners practice good land management that preserves our natural resources. They have a grant program that provides high tunnels to farmers to minimize soil erosion and extend our growing season. I’m hoping to be a lucky recipient this year.

Tomorrow I put the first seeds into pots in the greenhouse. We’ve still have snow on the ground but I can’t wait any longer. The garden is beginning to wake up and I want to be ready when its ready to be planted.