There are many transitions happening at this time of year. The forest is changing from green to bright colours to grey. The breezes are fresher and the evenings cooler. The sounds are changing from birdsong and frogsong to rustling leaves. The autumn smells of soil, rotting wood, leaves, and pine needles is so intoxicating. On the farm we are changing greenhouses and field tunnels from summer fruiting crops to winter crops. For many weeks, Sarah has been guiding the fall planting so we have lots of green goodness all fall and winter. Winter is so much better when we have sunny work to do in the greenhouses and field tunnels, and fresh greens to eat every week. All the work to make that happen starts in August/September. The end of summer is so busy that we had to put one person in charge of getting it done this year. Sarah was up for the job, and she led the farm team to make it happen. Colleen took on the job of making sure cover crops were established wherever vegetable crops were finished, or new beds were being established. We have never had this many cover crops planted! The rye protects soil from erosion, adds carbon from the atmosphere to the soil, and it also helps with weed control. I imagine the green blanket it creates is nice for all the critters and microbes that live in the soil below.

We invited everyone working with Abundant Acres Farm to a farm visit and staff dinner on Oct 18. It was a beautiful day and the golden hour before we ate was particularly golden as the sun went down. David made sushi and tempura for everyone and Zoë brought desserts. When David and I reflect on what Abundant Acres has become, much of it is because of Zoë’s hard work to develop the Warehouse Market. Her intelligence, loving spirit, and kindness really shone through. The customers and other staff love her so much. She is a bright light and we all appreciate her love for good food. The Warehouse Market was very small and quiet when we hired her, and now it is so vibrant and fun. Thank you so much, Zoë, for all you have poured into the Market and its people! Fortunately, Steph came on the scene last December, and is steering the boat now. Thank you so much, Steph. We can see that you are building a great team around you and you are bringing your own unique flavour and style to the Market. David and I are soooo grateful for both the Warehouse and farm teams, and it was such a blessing to see (almost) all of them together on Monday at the farm.