Turn Your Face To The Sky

Arthur and I drove down to State College on Saturday morning for the PASA (Pennsylvania Association For Sustainable Agriculture) Conference. We arrived in time to take a quick walk through the exhibits on our way to hear the keynote address.
The young man who took to the stage was unknown to us but we knew from past experience with speakers at this conference that his words would offer us new and interesting perspectives. We weren't disappointed. Ben Hewitt used his annual experience haying with a seasoned farmer (a story in itself) to bring into focus the great joy we farmers share and the challenges we face as our environment becomes increasingly commoditized and systems evolve to continue to support and shore up the status quo.
He concluded his talk with a long list of "Rules For The New Game" for he believes that nothing will change until everything changes. "Turn your face to the sky," he said and on Sunday morning, I stepped outside in the crisp cold air to do just that.

Ben Hewitt is a farmer and writer who lives in northern Vermont. I am anxious to read his 2010 book "The Town that Food Saved", which chronicles the story of Hardwick, VT, and the efforts to blueprint and implement a localized food system.

Onion's Sweeter Sister

I recently read that shallots are the onion's sweeter sister. While often considered smaller, milder onions, shallots are their own species within the allium family (onions, leeks, garlic). With the flavor of a mild onion with a hint of garlic, shallots have long been mainstays in French and Asian cooking. In my experience, shallots seem to become a part of the overall flavor of a recipe without the overpowering more subtle flavors.I've been growing shallots in the garden for several years and offered them for sale at the Farmers' Market last summer. Today I ordered seeds for my 2013 crop. Shall I grow some for you?

How Many Days 'Til Summer?

Our Potter County Farmers' Market group spent Sunday afternoon chatting, laughing, sharing a potluck dinner and planning for the 2013 market.
We determined that we would continue bringing our wares to downtown Coudersport every Friday afternoon beginning May 24. There has been a small change in the operating hours. We'll now begin at 1:00 and continue to 5:00 p.m. (We have found that there was little demand after 5:00 p.m.) Tentative Saturdays to be added including the Maple Festival, Memorial Day weekend, God’s Country Marathon weekend, Independence Day weekend, Woodsmen’s Show/Archery Show weekend, Labor Day weekend and the Falling Leaves Festival. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
We've also decided to explore an alternate location – the lot adjacent to the square (corner of North East and East Second Street) which is across East Second Street from the Potter County Jail. We feel that this site will be a bit easier to access for the public with more parking as well as less traffic noise and exhaust. Let us know what you think about this change for we want to preserve the option of moving back to the courthouse square if this location is not satisfactory.

If you're a grower, producer of high quality crafts, home baked goods, prepared foods, consider joining the Farmers' Market group. We have a set of guidelines that govern the Market and I'll be delighted to email them to you to see if you meet the criteria. Just send a comment via this blog and I'll get back with you.
As I type this, it's 50+ degrees and seems more like spring that late January. We enjoyed two January thaws this year. I can do without the mud, however!

Brrrrr......

This is what -2 looks like on this Wednesday morning in January. I'm glad to see the sunshine today and, for now, the winds have stilled.

In the background you can see the new orchard with those winter-hardy trees standing at attention in this bitter chill. We've had quite a bit of rabbit damage this winter. Arthur was out there yesterday painting the trees with a bio-dynamic concoction that helps heal the damage.
We're having a meeting of the Potter County Farmers' Market group this weekend to put in motion plans for the 2013 season. Let me know your suggestions for improving the market. We're interested in knowing what you are looking for at the market, what days/times are best for you and any other thoughts you have.
Stay warm.

National Agricultural Statistics

The USDA is spending lots of money to execute the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Since receiving my packet in the mail, I have received a phone call and a post card to remind me to complete the Census.

According to a press release, "The 2012 Census of Agriculture, the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation, is currently being mailed to millions of farmers across the United States. All farmers should receive a census form by early January.  Federal law requires all agricultural producers to participate in the census."
Under federal law, any information provided in response to the survey or census is to be used only for statistical purposes. (7 USC Section 2204g(f)(3)) The USDA will compile the information collected and release statistics on how many people farm, how many acres are in organic production, how many livestock are owned by different size farms, and much more. The information published is not connected to any person’s name or personal information.
One of the most important reasons to complete the survey has to do with our elected officials. Legislators often look to see what sort of farms are in their districts, so this information has an impact on how these elected officials view agricultural issues. Keeping close track of these statistics can help steer important debates over public policy on agriculture and food.
I will soon open the envelope and complete the survey with information from this little farm in rural northcentral Pennsylvania.
In the past couple of days, I've run into several folks who tell me they're regular readers of my blog. To all of you, I say thanks and I pledge to update a little more frequently. I've begun a list of potential blog topics so keep reading - and commenting!

Snow Melt

The thick fog has been a topic of conversation at the farm the past few days as we ride the roller coaster of high and low temperatures. It's all part of the "January thaw." According to Wikipedia, the January thaw is an observed but unexplained temperature rise in mid-winter found in mid-latitude North America. Son-in-law Jon ventured to the high tunnel yesterday to harvest a bunch of parsley for a family gathering. It was fresh and delicious.

December 28 Harvest

The snow was above my boots as I made my way through the garden to the high tunnel this morning. I unzipped the door and stepped inside to the now-familiar smell of damp earth. Snow had, for the most part, slid off the curved hoops and was deposited nearly five feet high on both sides, dampening the sounds from the outside.

Many of the raised beds inside are empty now - with remnants of a few small shallots and dried stalks of basil I had tried to save after the other tender plants froze in October.  We had planted two beds to carrots in late August and I had made several staggered plantings of lettuce and Swiss chard after that. You can see the Swiss Chard above. It seems that the greens have stopped growing and are waiting for warmer temperatures and more light. It will be interesting to see what happens as the cold - and the light - strengthens. I harvested some broccoli florets - enough for a meal for the two of us - along with some parsley and sage.  Carrots were my biggest harvest - aren't they lovely?
 Next year I'll be better equipped to plan for the winter harvest by starting the greens a little sooner and planting them nearer the middle of the high tunnel instead of on the edge as they are now.
We'll plant the bulk of the high tunnel to tomatoes, eggplants and peppers again in the spring adding plantings of herbs such as cilantro and basil and shallots from seeds. Our Farmers' Market customers begin looking for fresh tomatoes almost as soon as the Market opens in late May and, though I was pleased with being able to harvest tomatoes in mid-July, I'm aiming for a even earlier harvest in 2013.
Some of the carrots you see below are heading to the soup pot this afternoon but I've enjoyed some of their exquisite sweet crunchiness for my lunch!