Here's our little rototiller doing the next round of field prep. Fergus and Ben, our two newest crew members spread pelletized chicken manure into the field, one bucket per bed. I drove over the beds and incorporated it with this little piece.
Hopefully by the next round of amendments, I will have finished repairing our drop spreader, then the tractor can do the whole job, saving time and wear and tear on our bodies.
Here's our little rototiller doing the next round of field prep. Fergus and Ben, our two newest crew members spread pelletized chicken manure into the field, one bucket per bed. I drove over the beds and incorporated it with this little piece.
Hopefully by the next round of amendments, I will have finished repairing our drop spreader, then the tractor can do the whole job, saving time and wear and tear on our bodies.
And here are the final steps in one:
Bed mark out with our basket weeder. This way our rows are nice and straight for mechanical cultivation.
Planting! What you see to the left is the first round of outside plants for 2025! Let the games begin! Carla is doing a decent job in a supervisory role.
Bed mark out with our basket weeder. This way our rows are nice and straight for mechanical cultivation.
Planting! What you see to the left is the first round of outside plants for 2025! Let the games begin! Carla is doing a decent job in a supervisory role.
It snowed! Actual snow accumulation! Lucky for our spinach, it is tucked away safely in one of our caterpillar tunnels.
Animal Sign!
An owl pellet? Or one from some other bird? I'm not sure. But what I do know that this is evidence of some wondrous bird helping us to manage field pests. Thank you birds!
An owl pellet? Or one from some other bird? I'm not sure. But what I do know that this is evidence of some wondrous bird helping us to manage field pests. Thank you birds!
And more bird sign?
A track! Ground birds don't have the back toe found in song birds and perching birds, making their tracks distinct!
A track! Ground birds don't have the back toe found in song birds and perching birds, making their tracks distinct!
Evidence of the night bird hunting for worms.
Fergus has lots of knowledge about animal sign and pointed out this evidence of a Woodcock hunting in our field. If you have time, I highly recommend watching a video of these silly birds. Here's one Fergus shared with me. I will add that they likely don't think of themselves as silly, who am I to designate them as such?
Fergus has lots of knowledge about animal sign and pointed out this evidence of a Woodcock hunting in our field. If you have time, I highly recommend watching a video of these silly birds. Here's one Fergus shared with me. I will add that they likely don't think of themselves as silly, who am I to designate them as such?
Ahoy!
Another week gone by and we are almost back at market time. This week we will have delicious tender lettuce to add to our collection of offerings. And yesterday before the snow we got turnips and radishes seeded, along with our first bit of cabbage. We have a lot more cabbage to go!
This year feels like getting an old ship back in shape. Imagine the creaking you imagine when thinking about a ship. That is what I feel like. That is what my equipment feels like. Am I the ship or is the farm? These are the deep questions I get to ask myself while sitting in the dark waiting for my baby to fall asleep. Or sitting on the tractor, traveling back and forth across the field slower than walking pace.
Whatever the case may be, were creaking and cracking as we get back up to speed.
Everything is broken or in disrepair. It makes sense. I haven't been boots on the ground since 2021. But man oh man! It is a lot to catch up to. Take the tractor (an Allis G) we use for basket weeding as an example. It is one of our main tractors. We use it weekly and call it OG for "original G." It had a split side wall on one of the rear tires, extremely low gear oil in the case, the chain on the basket weeder (its main implement) was too long, the front tires were rubbing the frame of the implement when turning, and a bolt interferes with the lifting and lowering of the baskets, causing the implement to get stuck and clog up. The tractor functions through these ailments, so an operator may not notice they need attention but over time, each of these will cause a bigger problem: a flat tire; broken chain; worn gears; worn bolts. Most of these issues decided that this April was the time to come to a head! Each implement and machine has had its own set of like problems. Checking 'em off one by one is the only way forward!
Here is a repeat about our fundraiser for Stockbridge Community Outreach. In January, when i hear the first hints of federal support of food programs being pulled, I was really upset. That money is important. It helps food banks and pantries have access to healthy food to distribute to people that need it. And it helps the people in all our communities eat better and live healthier lives. I believe in helping each other out in our tough times. Everyone goes through them. That's what community is all about.
I was feeling really powerless and had the lucky shift to consider what I could do to help rather than spinning out in despair. Because growing vegetables is in my wheelhouse, this is what I figured I could try. The money raised through this gofundme does directly to the cost of production of vegetables for our community. If you have been considering contributing but have questions, please reach out. We are now almost at 20% of our goal! Way further than I really expected to get. I am invigorated by the support this venture is receiving and hope that we get closer to our goal yet!
No one can do everything but we can all do something.
Cheers,
Helen
she/her/hers
In this email:
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Arugula Raab
Head lettuce
Kale Raab
Micros: Dill! Kale, Radish, mustard mix!
Pea shoots
Spinach
All Manner of Deliciousness
Apples: Evercrisp, Gala, Pinata, Modi, and Ida Red. From Almar Orchard (Eastern only)
Cabbage
Carrots by Yoder
Kohlrabi
Potatoes! Yum!
Daikon
Watermelon Radish
Sweet Potatoes from Yoder Farms
Purple Top Turnips
Fall Squash: Autumn frost
Coming Soon
??
Farms we are collaborating with:
When something sold by us is grown by another farm, we will always label both to support them and so that you can make informed decisions.
Not all the farms we are working with are certified organic. If they aren't, you better bet we know them well enough to trust their growing practices. This is both because we have asked them about how they care for their land and what materials they use, but also because we are friends. We have asked each other questions and shared information and resources over the years. We know most of them well enough to have had dinner together and to call to share family news. This collection of family farms are our community and our colleagues. We are proud to know them and to work with them.
Almar Orchard, Flushing, Certified Organic
Cinzori Farm, Ceresco, Certified Organic
HillTop Greenhouse and Farms, Ann Arbor. They supply the eggs from free range, happy chickens.
Jacob's Fresh Farm, Dexter
Sunnyside Produce, Homer, Certified Organic
Titus Farms, Leslie
Yoder Farms, Leslie
Patty's Mashed Turnips
From: All Recipes
These hot buttery mashed turnips always reminds me of the holiday season when my grandmother prepared this dish for the family.
Ingredients
Instructions
Another week gone by and we are almost back at market time. This week we will have delicious tender lettuce to add to our collection of offerings. And yesterday before the snow we got turnips and radishes seeded, along with our first bit of cabbage. We have a lot more cabbage to go!
This year feels like getting an old ship back in shape. Imagine the creaking you imagine when thinking about a ship. That is what I feel like. That is what my equipment feels like. Am I the ship or is the farm? These are the deep questions I get to ask myself while sitting in the dark waiting for my baby to fall asleep. Or sitting on the tractor, traveling back and forth across the field slower than walking pace.
Whatever the case may be, were creaking and cracking as we get back up to speed.
Everything is broken or in disrepair. It makes sense. I haven't been boots on the ground since 2021. But man oh man! It is a lot to catch up to. Take the tractor (an Allis G) we use for basket weeding as an example. It is one of our main tractors. We use it weekly and call it OG for "original G." It had a split side wall on one of the rear tires, extremely low gear oil in the case, the chain on the basket weeder (its main implement) was too long, the front tires were rubbing the frame of the implement when turning, and a bolt interferes with the lifting and lowering of the baskets, causing the implement to get stuck and clog up. The tractor functions through these ailments, so an operator may not notice they need attention but over time, each of these will cause a bigger problem: a flat tire; broken chain; worn gears; worn bolts. Most of these issues decided that this April was the time to come to a head! Each implement and machine has had its own set of like problems. Checking 'em off one by one is the only way forward!
Here is a repeat about our fundraiser for Stockbridge Community Outreach. In January, when i hear the first hints of federal support of food programs being pulled, I was really upset. That money is important. It helps food banks and pantries have access to healthy food to distribute to people that need it. And it helps the people in all our communities eat better and live healthier lives. I believe in helping each other out in our tough times. Everyone goes through them. That's what community is all about.
I was feeling really powerless and had the lucky shift to consider what I could do to help rather than spinning out in despair. Because growing vegetables is in my wheelhouse, this is what I figured I could try. The money raised through this gofundme does directly to the cost of production of vegetables for our community. If you have been considering contributing but have questions, please reach out. We are now almost at 20% of our goal! Way further than I really expected to get. I am invigorated by the support this venture is receiving and hope that we get closer to our goal yet!
No one can do everything but we can all do something.
Cheers,
Helen
she/her/hers
In this email:
- Generally important notes
- WE ARE HIRING! Visit our Work With Us page for more info. Please share it with people you think fit the bill.
- A link to our Stockbridge Community Outreach Project
- Notes for members (or potential members!):
- Find a copy of the 2025 membership agreement here.
- Now offering $100 CSA memberships with a $10 bonus. Please email for more info.
- If you shop with us regularly, consider signing up for our farm membership (CSA). This is the perfect time to do it as it offers maximum support to us and the most opportunities to use your balance over the course of the year.
- If you love our produce, consider giving the gift of food to someone in your family or friend. We are an especially good match for people that want to eat local fresh food but don't know how to get started. I love talking recipes, environmentalism, telling animal stories, and eating raw vegetables on the spot.
- Here is link to our Social Justice page on our website. It is a list of resources to keep active in effecting positive social change.
- Fresh From the field
- Recipe: Patty's Mashed Turnips!
- Member Info-
- Royal Oak members: If you haven't received an email from me regarding any remaining balance you have, please send me an email and I will get it to you.
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Arugula Raab
Head lettuce
Kale Raab
Micros: Dill! Kale, Radish, mustard mix!
Pea shoots
Spinach
All Manner of Deliciousness
Apples: Evercrisp, Gala, Pinata, Modi, and Ida Red. From Almar Orchard (Eastern only)
Cabbage
Carrots by Yoder
Kohlrabi
Potatoes! Yum!
Daikon
Watermelon Radish
Sweet Potatoes from Yoder Farms
Purple Top Turnips
Fall Squash: Autumn frost
Coming Soon
??
Farms we are collaborating with:
When something sold by us is grown by another farm, we will always label both to support them and so that you can make informed decisions.
Not all the farms we are working with are certified organic. If they aren't, you better bet we know them well enough to trust their growing practices. This is both because we have asked them about how they care for their land and what materials they use, but also because we are friends. We have asked each other questions and shared information and resources over the years. We know most of them well enough to have had dinner together and to call to share family news. This collection of family farms are our community and our colleagues. We are proud to know them and to work with them.
Almar Orchard, Flushing, Certified Organic
Cinzori Farm, Ceresco, Certified Organic
HillTop Greenhouse and Farms, Ann Arbor. They supply the eggs from free range, happy chickens.
Jacob's Fresh Farm, Dexter
Sunnyside Produce, Homer, Certified Organic
Titus Farms, Leslie
Yoder Farms, Leslie
Patty's Mashed Turnips
From: All Recipes
These hot buttery mashed turnips always reminds me of the holiday season when my grandmother prepared this dish for the family.
Ingredients
- 7 large turnips (that's about 2 quarts of our turnips)
- 1 cup milk or to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook turnips until tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Strain and rinse.
- Mash turnips with a potato masher in a large mixing bowl. Add milk and butter.
- Mash to desired consistency and season with salt and black pepper; serve hot
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