Guest Newspaper Column
Recently I was asked by local foodie columnist, Kristin Jorgensen, if I could write about how the current drought is affecting my farm. I jumped at the chance to have a farmer’s perspective in the press! My guest column was…
It is Dry Out There
Last week in the afternoon I was busy weeding the tomatoes. With my head down focused on pulling weeds I smelled what I thought was an early dinner of barbecue. I continued weeding but soon the barbecue smell was too…
Calm Before the Storm
The bees have been busy at the farm, rushing around to every flower they can find. The blackberry’s flowers are turning into fruit, most of the tomatoes are covered with flowers, and soon the potatoes will have their flowers out…
Revitalizing CCOF’s North Coast Chapter
Quarter Acre Farm is certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers, CCOF. All CCOF certified members based in California belong to a chapter based on their regional location. For my farm the region is considered the North Coast which includes…
Sometimes You Get Behind
Thursday I finally planted dried beans, winter squash, and pumpkin seeds in the field. When I had made my crop schedule, back in January I had planned to plant these seeds at the beginning of May. So they got in the…
This Year is Different
This spring I’ve had people visiting the farm, for many this is their first time walking around my field. As soon as they arrive I feel the need to quickly explain to them, that my field normally doesn’t look like…
Harvesting off the Farm
I think of myself as an outdoorsy person cause I like being outside but I’m not the type of person that goes on hikes or camps just to be outside. I like to spend time outdoors completing a task or…
Bugs with Benefits
In the cool of the morning I walk through the field checking in on all the plants, looking to see what needs my attention. Frequently I find myself in awe of the various insects inhabiting the farm. Pests or bad…
Getting the Taters in the Ground
This week I planted 80 pounds of potatoes, which is a lot less than I normally plant. This year because of the drought I’m doing things a little differently. I’m dry farming the potatoes, the only water they are receiving…
Land Access
This past weekend I was down in Berkeley at Our Land, a symposium on farmland access in the 21st century. The audience was full of young farmers, experienced agrarians, agricultural nonprofits, food policy, and social justice workers. It was a…
Bird in the House
Last week after a morning of starting watermelon and squash in the greenhouse I returned in the afternoon to find the soil tossed aside and each of the seeds cracked opened with only the shell left behind. At first glance…
Back at the Market
Today I returned to the Sonoma Valley Farmers’ Market for the season. This spring marks the 5th year I have been selling at this farmers’ market. Attending the first market of season is like a celebration. Customers and vendors,…