Fall on the Farm

In some ways, this might be the most beautiful time of the year at the farm. September often has consistent weather and this year the weather looks exceptional for the next two weeks. We'll be harvesting corn, cucumbers, squash, beans, basil and maybe finally a good picking of tomatoes next week.

As far as the farm work we are training berry vines. Strawberry fields are being reconditioned and readied for next year's harvest. In a couple of weeks, the pumpkin fields will die down, exposing the orange treasures of October. I recommend walking the pumpkin fields regularly to watch the startling changes that take place.

Over the last few years there has been a startling growth in our u-pick business -- especially berries. But sometimes I feel I need to open up some of our other crops for u-picking: corn, beans, cucumbers and late season strawberries. I am thinking more about opening these crops for u-pick in the future. It's just another chapter in getting people to have a relationship with our farm which I truly value.

Although I find this season to be beautiful, I personally struggle with the transition. It's hard to describe the way I feel. In the beginning the farm is all fresh and new and the anticipation is huge. The fall comes and the energy changes. It becomes a period of acceptance of the fall season. The uneasiness I feel may also be related to pumpkintime which, at times, seems like a carnival. There are parts I love like picking pumpkins and giving school tours. But, I shy away from some of the things other farms do like haunted mazes and pumpkin shooting....