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Hi Farm-ily & Friends,
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Ohhh January and the moss that is beginning to grow behind our ears… We hope you all are keeping busy and enjoying the slower pace that the winter season and rain brings. We had a few days of sun a few weeks back (remember..?) and it appears that the rain is back. Between the overflowing creek and the rising ground water the lower pastures are flooded out again. The Tualatin is just beginning to break it’s banks to join the party. Such a different winter than we’ve had the past two years – both which were a lot drier. They are saying that El Niño is having it’s second peak currently through the early part of the year and we should have higher than average temperatures Jan-March. We shall see!
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We’ve said it before that we are constantly amazed at the resilence of the plants growing in the garden with all the weather we’ve been experiencing (mostly wet, along with a few weeks of freezing temps and some bone chilling winds). We’ve been through it all in the past 12 months – extremely dry conditions and excessively wet… all of it feels like we’ve gained a greater perspective and new found respect for each season. Each one comes with it’s challenges and successes and we welcome the opportunity to grow better through them all and to have the experience and the confidence to know better the next time around.
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We’re still hoping for a little winter sun here in the 10-day. We just need a few days coming up to give the garden and the pastures a moment to drain and feel the ol’ sun on our faces. It’s amazing what a little sun will do! When it graced us for several days in a row Brian and I couldn’t believe the difference it made in our energy level and excitement to be outside. It felt like a renewed sense of vigor! We’ve been making progress though – both inside and outside. Two weeks ago we finally hit send on our big 2016 seed order and are busy making the crop, field and planting plans. A few days ago we headed down to Concentrates in Milwaukee to pick up a few 6 cu ft. totes of organic potting soil and a whole pallet of organic amendments for the garden and minerals for the cows. We spend more time off the farm this time of year (than any other) preparing for the season to come. Once the end of February comes along we seldom leave the farm except when we need some diesel for the tractor or need to restock the pantry with the food items that we don’t grow. My Dad came to visit a few years ago for 10 days in May and still jokes that he didn’t see me leave the farm once… haha. It’s a different kind of lifestyle that’s for sure… that always manages to keep us busy and able to grow amazing, fresh, nourishing food for our community!
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There is plenty to do on the farm too. One of my next projects is to get the propagation house all ready for the first vegetables seeding of 2016.. it’s less than a month away! We’re also getting the tractors all tuned up for another season of growing… so many things to maintain during the winter months and opportunities to improve upon the systems that are already in place. All day long while we’re working we talk about how we can improve the systems on the farm to make the work load easier, more efficient, more enjoyable and more balanced. It seems impossible to talk about farming as much as we do… but somehow there is always something to talk about (and get started on…) 😉
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The Winter CSA has been one of those opportunities that means finding a little bit more balance on the farm. Giving us the ability to spread out some of the workload throughout the year. . which could mean some pretty exciting things for us moving into the future. And can we just say that we have been loving the Winter CSA! The best perk so far is having access to so much delicious fresh food in the winter – with the Winter CSA it means that we (the farmers and the farm’s members) have eaten better than ever before. It’s been a truly enjoyable addition to the WHF CSA growing season and we’d like to extend a big thank you to all the first WHF Winter CSA members for joining us on this new journey! We’ve got some yummy winter goodies coming your way this week and look forward to hearing all the delicious home cooked meals you’ve prepared with them. Keep up the great work!
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And…. a big thank you to all of our amazing CSA members both new and old who have signed up for the 2016 Spring and Summer CSA season! We have just a few dozen shares available for the 2016 season so be sure to sign up quickly! Keep spreading the good word because it makes all the difference. As a farm-ily member once said, “keep your friends close and you farmers closer.”
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3 Steps to Signing Up:
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- Read all about the 2016 CSA season
- Fill out the CSA Sign Up Form & Member Agreement
- Mail or drop off a Check or Make a Payment Online to reserve your share
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Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We hope you all have a great week and stay dry out there!
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With kind regards,
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Your Farmers
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Jess & Brian
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dirty hands, clean hearts
working hands farm 
