Monthly Summary– July 2013

General Observations:  July was another hot month but things carried on at the farm. The crew was able to get a lot of weeding, mowing and other maintenance taken care of leaving the farm looking tidy and awesome. Mike was out for some time because of back injury but Colleen was able to manage the farm and keep the crew hard at work.

 Equipment (70 hrs): Despite the difficulties with machinery last month, the crew managed with what was available: The Kabota got some mowing time in before getting stuck in the eco cluster. The John Deer was used to load compost into the trailer for easy compost spreading, and the Billy goat helped with the BGB cleanup. The weed wacker was used to clean up the pathways and edges in the corner garden. Also, the ATV got looked at and it was decided that a part needed to be replaced.

Administration (63 hrs):  Mike is out for a few days due to a bad back. Colleen takes responsibility for ongoing farm operations and crew members pick up some extra tasks like payroll and other paperwork.

Infrastructure (87 hrs):  The crew worked around the farm to get it nice and trimmed. The farm perimeter got mowed along with the area around the peach, cherry and hazelnut trees. The farm stand area and the walk in cooler were all cleared out. It took some work but the farm looks kempt.

Greenhouse (61 hrs): While thinning, Colleen noticed that the Swiss chard is being seeded too heavily. It was recommended that it be seeded at 1-2 seeds per cell. The following vegetable succession was seeded (7/17) and two interns are assigned to seed the one after that (7/23). Overall, things were running smoothly in the greenhouse.

Composting (10 hrs):  Compost was laid on a few beds in the Corner Garden and 3 Big Garden Beds. A trench was filled with compost for leeks and scallions. Compost was also laid on 4 beds in Central Field South to prepare for planting (7/9).

Planting (119 hrs):  New Vegetable and Flower successions were planted! Carrots and lettuce (3 varieties: red oak leaf and green and red romaine) were planted in 2 big garden beds. The crew direct seeded 4 beds worth of beets in the central field. Also, 2 beds of cucumbers, 1 bed of kohlrabi and 2 beds of basil were planted in the corner garden. The crew direct seeded 2 Big Garden Beds with field lettuce and planted kale, chard, beets and cabbage in field beds. Flowers were the last thing planted this month. (7/27) Planted 2 beds of flowers and (7/30) planted 4 beds of flowers.

Crop Care (306 hrs): As always there is much to do crop-care wise around the farm. Greenhouse tomatoes got hit first with some weeding and pruning. Then the field tomatoes and leeks were next. Both were weeded and mulched and the tomatoes were strung. Other things also got weeded such as: green beans, salad mix, carrots, grapes, blackberries, kale, and chard. The Green Oakleaf Lettuce was unfortunately abandoned because of “crazy grass growth”. (7/18) A note is made about the importance of keeping a constant cycle of irrigation going especially in times of high heat. (7/22) The crew used the 100 gallon tank to water the trees.

Harvesting (363 hrs): (7/10) Green beans and Summer Squash are cleared from the Big Garden Beds.  As usual kale, chard, beets and salad mix are all harvested. However, on 7/12 the number of pounds desired was 80. However, 76 pounds was all the crew could get. (7/15) 4 tables of Mountain Mint were harvested. (7/18) Flowers were harvested for bunches. Towards the end of the month the carrots were too mushy and the decision was made to not harvest.

Handling (88 hrs): (7/4) Mike started off the month by donating extra produce.  (7/5) Then, Colleen trained the crew in hydrocooling, and explained difference between “producer” and “processor.”  After that, things fell back into their regular groove.  The crew hydro cooled kale, chard, beans, and salad mix.  (7/21) Mike washed eggs while Colleen bunched flowers. (7/25) Crew focused on importance of “containers” and harvest log.

Marketing (115 hrs): (7/7) Markets seem slow.  This was possibly due to heat wave and holiday weekend. (7/13) Markets picked up.  Decent amounts of produce sold at both market but it was still not a busy as usual. (7/21) Third tent set up for the first time at markets! However, there was a lack of: beats, radishes, and eggs.  Note was made that cases of portabella mushrooms were moldy and not sellable.  Also, packing micro greens at market was not working, and time should be set apart during the work week to pack.  (7/27) Both markets very busy (yay)!  Market managers counted 913 cars.  At West Windsor, we almost completely sold out and at Summit we made $4075.

Special Projects ( 19 hrs): (7/2) Micro greens harvested, and sunflowers were sampled.  (7/11)  Micro greens were and cilantro was added to the mix. (7/23) 12 trays were seeded.  Note is made that harvesting should be done during the work week preferable on Friday, and sun flowers need to be harvested early (before fuzzy true leaves show) for best taste.

Weather:

Week 1:  Heat wave. Rainy, humid week. Temperature started in the mid 80s but ended in the 90s.

Week 2: Heat wave. Temperature in the 90s. Thunder storms with heavy rain.

Week 3: Heat wave still going strong. Temperature in the high 90s. No rain, dry conditions.

Week 4: Heat wave finally comes to an end. Temperature in the 80s. Thunder storms with heavy rain. Humid days.

Sales:

Combined Market Monthly Total: $17,793
YTD Market Total: $33,231

Monthly Summary– April 2013

Logs reviewed and summary prepared by Malangie.

General Observations:

 April was a busy month. The crew worked on special projects such as the spinach trials and growing microgreens. The regular day to day work was kept up of course i.e. seeding, planting, and weeding. But they also dealt with unexpected challenges along the way: Frost took some tomatoes and basil while a chicken sickness claimed the life of a chicken.

Equipment (62 hrs):

(4/5) Big Red returned from repairs. (4/7) Replaced battery on IH140 and tires on both Kabota and Case 265. (4/14) Introduced 2nd Years to starting and servicing the Kabota. Weed wacked corner garden bed edges, pathways and tops to prepares them for planting. Mowed garlic bed edges with Billy Goat in preparation for tractor cultivation. (4/18) Introduction to the BCS Rototiller which was later used to till 2 Big Garden Beds. (4/29) Mowed Central Southeast Field and introduced new mowing skills such as adjusting widths and proper positioning for mowing along the fence line.

Administration (44 hrs):  

(4/1) Hour sheets made and the crew took a short field walk for discussion. (4/4) New crew uniforms arrive! (4/11) Introduction to the farm’s finances: account reconciliation, bills, payroll ect. (4/12) Market and WiC application filed. (4/15) Note made that a crew working together with a leader is better for morale.

Infrastructure (51 hrs):

(4/6) New coat rack made for SHOOP. (4/15) Note is made that maintaining clean, clutter free work areas also increases morale. (4/17) Hens moved winter quarters to First Field in 579 Northwest end. (4/19) Purchased new feed from Lakeview Organics and will compare it to the Nature’s Best feed. (4/28) Mowed Corner Garden’s access and borders, field below compost area and the alleys in Vegetable Garden B North Perennial and Vegetable Garden A North Perennial which would provide smooth ride for the IH140. (4/29) Compost delivery arrived.

Greenhouse (212 hrs):  

(4/2) 4th succession of basil seeded along with 5th succession of trial spinach. (4/3) Made more room available in greenhouse by moving some of the spinach trial to tables in the farm house gothic, some kale and cabbage (from 1st Succession) into the hoop house with extra remay. Also seeded red and gold beets for 2nd Vegetable Succession. (4/5) Finished 2nd Vegetable Succession and moved beets, Swiss chard, collards and trial kale into hoop house. Also, started potting tomatoes for the market. (4/11) Took inventory of herbs available for sale. (4/12) Finished potting tomatoes for market and came across space issue in the greenhouse which pushed the idea of moving the house tomatoes into Farmhouse Gothic (hesitated because of cold forecast). (4/16) Began seeding first flower succession. (4/20) Finished potting herbs for sale and took inventory to fax over to WEC. (4/21) Frost damage in Ralph’s House to market tomatoes (15 count) and basil (32 count). The seedling death continued in hoop house where the tomatoes and basil without secondary remay were 50% frosted. (4/22) Further assessment of the loss highlights the shortage. Decision is made to use both own and market seedlings to plant in Farmhouse Gothic and use newly seeded tomatoes for main crop. This will ensure that there will be enough planted to supply the farm and have some extra for seedling market sales.

Composting (43 hrs):  

(4/9) Training in spreading with Earth and Turf. (4/15) Composted short beds and east border beds in Corner Garden. (4/23) Composted Vegetable Garden A & B North Perennials (used up 1 big trailer). (4/24) Composted 3 Big Garden Beds and then broad forked them. (4/29) Took a quick walk to the compost area and decided where to have the net delivery dumped.

Crop Care (148 hrs): 

(4/3) Cleaned up remay, sandbags and some plastic from Big Garden Beds, Vegetable A & B and Central Field. (4/4) Got some weeding done in Farmhouse Gothic. Then moved onto weeding the garlic beds. (4/14) Used a trailer load of woodchips to mulch South border bed in Corner Garden where tulips are. (4/15) Hand weeded Hyssop and Sweet William. Also scuffle hoed peas. (4/17) Weeded in Ralph’s House and used the 265 to get in between garlic beds and make hand weeding easier. Also, weeded some asparagus. (4/18) Started up the irrigation for the Big Garden Beds along with remay and sandbags. (4/19) Finished asparagus weeding and moved onto strawberries. (4/23) Weeded the herb garden, fertilized older fruit bearing trees and got Casey’s placental tree. Also got another hour of weeding the strawberries in and worked on 3 garlic beds. (4/27) Set up more irrigation in the Big Garden Beds, Perrenials, Veg A, Corner Garden and the green house. Note is made to stay on top of irrigation rotation and remay management. (4/28) Used the IH140 and 100 gallon tank to water fish and kelp  onto strawberries, peas, collards, kohlrabi, head lettuce and herbs in the Corner Garden.

Harvesting (28 hrs):

(4/21) Harvested a tray of spinach which yielded ¾ lbs. (4/18) Harvested and weighed spinach. (4/26) First harvest of stinging nettle.

Handling (18 hrs):

(4/14) Washed, packed and delivered eggs to WEC. Note made that the ‘New Girls’ (’12) are still laying small eggs. Spoke to Stalin from Nomad (NAME) and he took 2 dozen to see if he could use them.

Marketing (25 hrs):

(4/27) First seedling delivery to WEC ($444). A beautiful display of tomatoes and basil was set up.

Special Projects (5 hrs):

(4/11) Ordered 200 containers for microgreens. Later, discussed spinach trial and pricing. (4/12) Worked on photoset for spinach trials and set up irrigation for microgreens. (4/14) Chicken coop clean up day! Also worked on some fence extensions for the ’11 Girls. (4/18) Seeded 1st Succession of microgreens (4/26) Quarantined bird from day before now dead. On further inspection of the flocks, they both seem to have same sickness. Sick birds isolated from healthy flock and plans made for them to be culled.

Weather: 

Week 1: Sunny during the day with cold even freezing nights, dry conditions.

Week 2: Warm days lead to a heat wave with and thunderstorms at night at the end of the week.

Week 3: Sunny, yet windy and cool, saturated conditions.

Week 4: Sunny with a bit of overcast in the afternoons, hot and dry towards the end of the week.