This has been a winter like we haven’t seen in many years have we? Actually I am on of those nuts that like to see snow that stays awhile in the winter time. I do however prefer to have temperatures in the 20’s instead of single digits or worse. I would also like a few more sunny days.
I was just thinking that whoever named the seasons must have had year like this in mind. For after all this dreary weather we have been having they are saying we might have 60 degrees by the end of the week. Just like it has been lurking in the shadows waiting to spring upon us.
We have had a short winter but an eventful one. The Columbia market went this year until the Saturday before Christmas. I had produce in the fields I wanted to plow for this spring so I didn’t think I was going to get any fall work done. However after the market close it finally got dry enough to get most of the ground plowed. One field never was dry enough so I got some compost spread on another field instead. I sure could have used a couple of more days but I spread on December 23 and then it rained all day on December 25. That pretty much finished the season as the rain was followed by snow and cold. Oh well I was ready for a rest anyway.
Christmas was quite different for su this year as it was the first time that neither of our children would be home for Christmas. It works a lot better for Jake to come home after the first of the year as Christmas is a very busy time for him. Because of that both of our families postponed our Christmas get togethers until our children were home. Christmas day was very quiet around here. Our children were able to get here the second week of January and we were able to enjoy a week with them. It was the first trim we saw our second grandson James and Rosie got in a lot of Grandma cuddling time.
Last summer it became aware that I had developed a hernia. I went to a doctor who told me she thought I could wait until after the busy season to have it fixed. Actually I found out that I had two. This is away a very scary time for Rose as I am the only one that really knows how to deal with her environmental illness. So I was able to get the repairs done while the children were here. Actually two turned into five and a half hour surgery became two and one half. She was really glad to have her kids there.
In all the years I have been in the vegetable facet of farming I don’t believe that there has been a year that he possibilities have been so exciting. The local food movement is really catching on and there is great opportunity. It is also very frustrating for me as I don’t have the resources to take advantage of the opportunity. I have been trying to get a couple of different videos made to put on my website explain my dreams but the weather and working with someone else’s schedule it hasn’t happened as fast I had hoped. Please continue to look at the website for updates. As most of you know, I don’t have a traditional CSA because of our remote location. In most CSA’s besides the cost of your share, you are required to contribute either some time and labor to the farm. In our CSA you have not had to do that. This year will be no different except for the fact htat I need help in promoting my dream. All I ask is that you look at the videos when they get posted and if you would like to see the dreams come true, then spread the word to all your electronic contacts encouraging them to view my site. I truly want to improve my ability to provide local organic food but I have come to realize that to arrive at my goal I am going to need some help.
To explain all this in deal in this letter would make it several pages long. I did not want to burden you with that much time in this letter. It will be faster in a video and hopefully will better convey my passion so I hope each of you will check out the website. We are also looking to put up another hoop house to extend our season.
We hope to have a little less rain and a little more selection this summer. We hope to be able to serve each one you again this season. Please let us know of your intentions as soon as you can. If some of you find yourselves struggling because of job loss or slow down, please communicate with us and let’s see what we can work out. Hope to hear from you soon.
Your friend in farming bringing you food with integrity.
Jim and Rosie Thomas Jr.
