They are beautiful…those chickens (and cows) in the mist

This week in the produce pack we have spinach, beet greens, sweet summer turnips, baby kale, small salad mix, and cilantro.  On the side table we have eggs ($3 or $5 depending on size), chinese broccoli (gai lon) ($3), and rhubarb ($3).

Today Mark from Newport Pumps installed a pressure switch on one of our pumps.  Until today, irrigating crops and watering livestock has been a delicate balance of checking water pressure, knowing which valves are on or off, and turning the switch on and off manually. David set up the system so we could irrigate our best field by the river, far from the pump.  Most of us were quite perplexed by the system.  David had been mentioning this pressure switch for weeks.  Until today I didn’t really understand.  Pumps in houses have pressure switches.  When you turn on the tap, water comes out.  Turn it off, water stops.  Brilliant!!  There is so much I take for granted.

Let me introduce you to the Abundant Acres crew.  David is our fearless leader and visionary comedian.

David bunching spinach

Bruce is now in his third year at Abundant Acres.  He is learning the farm ropes and is teaching David and I.  The three of us have been doing a lot of learning and growing together.  Bruce will be doing a lot of the produce pack distributions.  He enjoys construction and other big projects.  He is the one who is usually late for lunch because he always wants to finish the job.  Isn’t that great?

The boys dividing jobs at their morning meeting. Bruce is on the far right

Benjamin is the kind of person who approaches jobs with a kind of laser beam attention and focus.  He is fast, strong, AND good.  And did I mention he is a fantastic cook too?  His recipes will be appearing from time to time on the recipe page.

Benjamin innovating in the tomato house

Marshall was the next to join the team.  The way he moves, you can tell he’s happy.  He brings farm experience, strength, brains, and endurance.  But what really distinguishes him is his joy.  He is able to connect with each team member and cares about how they are doing.  Today he set up a fabulous colourful hammock so every member of the team could have a weekly 15 minute nap in it.

Marshall is always having fun

Lori was the last team-member to join us.  She lives close to the farm and is very well connected to the community.  She’s spunky, and sweet, yet tough.  Bruce has seen her chase a big drunk man out of the kitchen, threatening him with a spatula.  Lori is also an entrepreneur and has a catering company.  I hope some of her recipes will make it to our website as well.

Lori bunching turnip

Nadege and Hilary have been contributing in many ways too.  They are willing and cheerful and we love having them here.

Nadege makes the best salads! I think she would be a great radio host 

Hilary helping with fencing the livestock. The grass IS greener on the other side.

Produce pack hosts and customers are also big contributors to making the farm work. Thank you so much!

At the Bedford pick up.