I’m not generally one for New Year’s resolutions (okay, maybe I am, but my new year feels like it starts in March when we fire up the greenhouse!). But this year, I do have a resolution that I’m gunning for—blogging and newsletter-ing more for the farm!

The thing is, I write a LOT about life on the farm (like almost every day I write something farming-related), but I don’t usually post them. Maybe it’s concern that everyone out there is already so inundated by words and emails, that no one has time for more words. And some is that internal editor that doesn’t want to share our farming good news (which can feel like bragging) or our challenges (which feels like complaining). When I can’t decide what to do, I just post a picture and don’t dig in to what goes on behind the photo.

So that’s my resolution this year—to blog more about the fun and adventures that are farming and eating around here, in all their joy and challenge.

And I’m kicking off this resolution with pictures celebrating the pluses and minuses of 2019 (look, I’m hedging on my resolution already by cheating with photos :) I hope you all have a happy and healthy 2020!

Sunrise on the farm

This year’s persistent geese made sure we were up and at ‘em early each morning!

Greenhouse tetris

We are saving our pennies for a greenhouse expansion, but until then somehow managed yet again to run 50,000 seedlings through 600 feet of space!

Water (or mud?) wheel

Planting with the waterwheel was an exercise in staying warm and dry-ish with all the spring rain

The farm meteorologist

When you are a farm dog that doesn’t like rain, spring 2019 was a rough one for you!

New high tunnel is up!

We expanded our greenhouse population, which will let us plant more for early farmers markets in 2020!

A rare day to weed!

Rain and wet soil kept us focused more on planting than weeding this year, which means we really enjoyed getting chances to catch up

Racing the rain

Amy and Rose raced more than a few storms to get the U-Pick flowers in the ground!

Spring broccoli extravaganza!

Some crops flourished in the spring—these guys were planted in a field that we weren’t even able to cultivate and still were happy!

Happy peas

Another wet weather loving crop—we trialed a few new pea varieties this year and are looking forward to growing more of their deliciousness next year!

A rainbow of color

I love the moment when everything is all chopped and ready to go into the pan. My favorite veggie is in here—rainbow chard stems!

Summer of the allergies...

What a year for pollen, it took out 4/5ths of the team, including poor Beulah.

Our helpful farm dog

Beulah likes to help with any hand planting and harvesting… potatoes are her favorite crop

Husk cherries galore

We’ve been working for years to develop systems that work for some of these crops and are loving reaping the rewards!

Eggplant whisperer

As usual, we have more eggplants than anyone really wants. Each year I grow 25% less and they produce 200% more, I just can’t help growing too many!

Tasty tomato trials

Outside tomatoes usually taste better than tunnel grown ones, but this year we found some new cherry tomatoes where they get even sweeter inside… yum!

Cover crops for the win!

After yields of planning, we finally have enough fields to really cover crop, which made a huge difference in this wet spring to have all that plant material on the ground!

Tractor time

The farmers that cover crop (seed) together…

Pre-bath carrots

Amy and Angela with the day’s muddy harvest! We had such a great team this year to get all the veggies grown, harvested, and washed (and out the door to you all!)

Materials testing

Plastic is the bane of our existence as cold-climate veggie growers. It really extends the season, but it’s icky. This year we trialed some longer lasting fabrics, which worked great so far!

Fall squash time!

Bringing in the harvest after enjoying a weed-free season (thanks to the aforementioned fabric trial)! So many squash this year…

CSA share packing!

Putting the magic together takes a team!

New van, new Tetris challenge

We got the van to better protect the veggies, but then of course maxed it out right away, making for another Tetris challenge (and enough head knocking we invested in a helmet)!

Hiking!

We haven’t been good about taking any days off in the summer, but managed to this year, thanks to everyone holding down the fort back at the farm. It was exciting to get to start exploring our beautiful state when it’s actually warm!