It’s been a wild ride! This spring has thrown a few curve balls at us, but here we are, at the beginning of June. The farm team has done their best to get crops in the ground on time, harvest enough for Warehouse Market and Farm Share, and learn all their new roles. We were also very happy to get some rain this week, because it was starting to get dry!
On the negative side, we were counting on being able to use a piece of equipment called a stone burier this spring that we ordered and paid for in December. Because the Baltimore bridge was damaged, container ships got re-routed to Boston, and sat off the coast for weeks before they were unloaded. We still don’t have it, so we had to change our plans. We also bought and borrowed used gear, that didn’t end up working. We invested a lot in trying to repair and fix things that in the end we couldn’t use the way we wanted. We had to change plans again. We also spent time preparing new land that we haven’t been able to use yet because we didn’t have the gear for preparing the soil and irrigating the crops.
It is such a good thing that the farm team is so nimble and resilient. So willing to make a new plan, or take on a new challenge. I’m sure we will get everything sorted out as the season progresses, but this spring was full of surprises. We are also very grateful for the help and support we got from neighbours who are watching as we flounder a bit.
Below are photos from the last couple of months, and some introductions to the farm team.
Sarah Dobson, our longest-term employee had to leave at the end of April. She hosted a big send-off party that was like a reunion of Team AA over the last few years.Friday night mulch gatheringRachel has moved from the Market team to the farm team. They are responsible for harvest management, as well as greenhouse management with Eli. They are big, important jobs, and Rachel is handling it all with a very big smile.Steph used to do an amazing job managing the Warehouse Market in North End Halifax and is now doing an amazing job on the farm. They are in charge of producing and planting seedlings, and are working with Rachel on harvest.Here is Andrew loading manure to spread on Fox Field. Andrew is in charge of field management, cover crops to feed the soil, weed management, and transitions between crops. He is the unsung hero of the farm, taking care of so much of the background work that creates a good environment for crops to grow well.Here is an example of a scissor door Andrew built early this spring. We are trying this new way to access the field tunnels.Here is Eli training the team on new crop planning software called Tend. Eli is in charge of the crop plan and growing crops on the farm. It is a huge job and she is really stepping up to the challenge, and learning many new skills. She is also leading farm planning meetings, taking care of irrigation, in charge of wholesale orders, and is in charge of pest and disease control with Jen G and David. She has to have a lot of people skills because she depends on the whole team to get all the jobs done. She is definitely a compassionate and fearless leader.Andrew and Jen B are working together this year to do all the jobs to prepare land for seeding and transplanting. That means moving tarps, sandbags, and row covers. It is a very physical job. Olivia is also on this team and helps whenever she can while being a full time mom of a delightful new baby boy, Parker.Ben R is new on the farm. Here he’s planting tomatoes with Rachel and Andrew M. He is also helping Eli a lot with irrigation.Kristie is new on the farm this year. She brings with her a real love of farm ecology. Here she’s excited about finding a spider. She will join the pest and disease control team.Sarah and Mallorie are also new this year. Unfortunately both of them got stung by a bumble bee while they were working in the tomato greenhouse. We have bees in there to help pollinate the tomatoes. Here they are using aloe vera frozen cubes to provide some relief. Here Kristie found a leatherjacket while transplanting shiso. This is the dreaded larval stage of the crane fly. We’re going to keep an eye on them as they are known to eat lettuce roots.Here is David’s mother Hanna sorting price tags for the Warehouse Market. On the farm, everyone has a job. Hanna is staying with us, she is 88, and very active!Rows and rows of herbs and greens in Front field.Eli giving a farm tour to the two Gabs of Gourmet Gab. We had such a good time showing them around!
