Author Archives: Katie

For the past three years, our family has taken a weekend off from the farm in July to head to the beach and enjoy a temporary break from summer in the valley. By this point in the season, we’ve finished … Continue reading →

As an almost year-round CSA farm, we find ourselves pretty much always planning mode. We have to think well in advance around here so that we have veggies ready for winter and next spring. And, then in winter and spring, … Continue reading →

Hey y’all! It’s hot out there, have you noticed? Our outdoor thermometer broke a few months ago, but the internet tells me that right now (at 8:30 pm) it is 93° at the McMinnville airport. And it got up to … Continue reading →

Those parents in the crowd (or folks who have participated in childcare of siblings, nieces, nephews, etc.) will know that babies are pretty all consuming. When we started our “family farm” back in 2006, I’m not totally sure how we … Continue reading →

And, just as was predicted when we basked in all that early warm dry weather this winter, here we are now in a very dry almost-summer season. Summer officially arrives this weekend on the solstice, but WOW the sight around … Continue reading →

Dear friends — We had some “pea woes” this last week. It was a perfect storm of a disappointing planting, miscommunication, strategy error, and eager appetites. Here’s the deal — first of all, this year’s pea planting has failed to … Continue reading →

When we went to bed Sunday evening, a brisk wind had picked up, leading us to consider closing windows and prepare for rain. Good thing, because we woke to bright flashes and crashes of thunder in the middle of the … Continue reading →

I have written about the organic certification process many times over the years. Back in 2009, I published an article in In Good Tilth making a strong argument in favor of the certification process and questioning the use of the … Continue reading →

I suppose it’s not terribly surprising to hear a farmer say that she has food on her mind. But, oh I do. Food is, of course, a pretty common subject of thought around here. We grow it, harvest it, sell … Continue reading →

As the kids and I were riding bikes this week, I was struck by the sight of a few blooming rose bushes amidst so many willows and blackberries. Although the blackberries were definitely not planted by us, the willows were … Continue reading →