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May Farm Tour Photos / Farm Work Day Info

March 26, 2008

Spring Overload

The winter can be dangerous because of nearly stagnant farm activity. What ends up happening is I sit around in the office not being able to get any work done because of the wind, rain, cold temperatures and muddy fields and what results is I sit around setting into motion things that we will do as soon as the weather turns to spring and I always forget how easy it is to over do that. The result of these great ideas are quite literally coming back to haunt me now. I have a truckload of asparagus crowns sitting in the shop, 700 new citrus trees neatly lined up in the front drive, a shade house full of squash, cucumbers and basil, three pallets of potato seed somewhere between here and Oregon, and an additional truckload of chard, kale and collards ready to be picked up – all of which are ready to go into the ground this moment.

I remember in college when the end of the quarter would approach and there were a handful of papers do with a stack of finals to prepare for and not nearly enough time for everything. There was this feeling that went along with that, similar to what is striking now, and if I learned anything in college it was: all that you can do is keep forward progress.

Everyone on the farm is glad that the fields are being worked and new crops are getting placed into the ground. The winter line up has been fun but the new season is here and the field and packing crews are ready to start harvesting and packing new things. The strawberries seem to be the next big thing. They are neatly arranged in their field at the feet of some of the oldest oak trees on the farm. The green plants are getting larger and their white flowers have emerged with the warmer weather.

The stone fruit mix of apricots, peaches and nectarines have completed their beautiful show of flowering. The weather was perfect for fruit set and there is not reason to believe it will be a poor stone fruit year. The tiny apricots can already be seen, they are green little specks, about the size of a bee-bee. It will not be long until the irrigation of this orchard begins.

The grape vineyard has also started its progress for the season. The dry, brown canes have shot out a bright green shoots that are neon in color. It will not be long until we are thinning the shoots, shattering the tiny grape clusters and pulling leaves.

This time of year it is easy to feel overwhelmed but the truth is that I am glad the plants are doing most of the work. I have no idea what goes on when a strawberry plant flowers, what the grape canes do to push out new growth, how the asparagus turns last summer’s energy from the sun into shoots this spring and I am really relieved that those plants have that all figured out and that they are on time and predictable.

Enjoy your boxes this week and rest assured that every part of our farm is doing everything possible to bring you tastes of the new season in as timely a manner as possible. - Thaddeus

Watch for upcoming events !!

Our Next Farm Tour is May 3, 2008.

FFTY Events 2008

Open to all FFTY customers:

Saturday, May 3rd, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Strawberry Harvest ⋅ Strawberry picking, farm walk, picnic
Saturday, August 23rd, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Tomato Harvest ⋅ Tomato picking, recipe swap, farm walk, picnic
Saturday, October 11th, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Picking Pumpkins ⋅ Selecting pumpkins for carving, farm walk, picnic
Saturday, December 6th, 11:00 am FFTY Farm Event – Grapevine Wreaths ⋅ Pruned grape vines will be used to make wreaths

Tickets Required (more information to come):

Saturday, July 26th, 4:00 pm Farm Fresh To You and Slow Food Yolo present an Heirloom Tomato Gala to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Kathleen Barsotti

Purchase tickets in advance; partnered with Slow Food Yolo
Tickets will be available in the beginning of April
Proceeds above expenses will go to the Kathleen Barsotti Non-Profit for Sustainable Agriculture. The specific purpose of the non-profit is to benefit the public by promoting sustainability in agriculture and life. The programs of the non-profit may include:
- Awarding scholarships to young women pursuing an education that focuses on integrating sustainable agriculture into our society
- Providing educational assistance to children of farm workers ⋅
- Educating the public about sustainable farming practices

Bring a picnic, family and friends to come out and see
the farm. Call or email the office with questions, and
we cannot wait to see you in Capay!

Farm News

April 16, 2008
Spring Heat

April 9, 2008
Farming Weeds

April 2, 2008
The Canal Season

March 26, 2008
Spring Overload

March 19, 2008
The Spring Rush

March 12, 2008
The Frog Hole

March 5, 2008
Light Brown Apple Moth

February 27, 2008
Herb Garden

February 20, 2008
Cental Valley Agriculture

February 13, 2008
Greenhouse Time