Week 19 Newsletter
Week #19 - Week of October 5th
Howdy folks!
We are almost there! Week 19! I know we all say it every year… but by golly this summer/season flew by. Last time I was writing one of these it was week 2 I believe, and I wrote little bios for each of the crew members (at the time). Since then a lot has changed. Some people left, others joined, I found out I am moving to California after this season, the sun is getting shy, and the end of season pests and diseases are starting to do their job, signaling that it is time for everyone and everything to rest. But do not fret, not everything has changed. We still have an insane amount of tomatoes, and Alex is still running late.
I can remember setting up the nursery and seeding the first flats back in March in disbelief that the season was starting, then talking with Sydney as she seeded the last flat of the season back in July, shaking my head and refusing to believe that we were nearing the end of the season. But here we are.
The amount of energy (literal calories, joules, watts, HP…) it takes to grow this much food is nothing short of a miracle. Shipping seeds and amendments, the labor of seeding flats, shuffling flats, shuffling flats again, drawing water from the well, watering, shuffling, prepping beds, planting, shuffling, weeding, pruning, trellising, harvesting, washing, packing, setting up the store, shuffling, answering emails, shuffling, cleaning the store, distributing, talking with Suzanne, cooking, waiting for Alex, listening to Alex talk about the ethos of Market Gardening, and finally consumption!
It is nothing short of a miracle. We could dive even deeper and look at the immense amount of energy being consumed and released by the biology within the soil to grow such beautiful and nutritious plants, but it is late and I need to go to bed, and you probably do not want a soil lecture while picking up your weekly share.
I am very appreciative of Alex for trusting me to manage the farm this year. I came into the season feeling very unsure about my ability to run this place, but Alex never seemed to share (or at least show) any doubt. I have learned more about farming this year than the past two seasons combined and gained a new respect for the previous farm manager (Simon), Alex, Kate, Suzanne, and the rest of the crew that make this all possible.
Lastly, as I finish up my last couple weeks here at the farm, and if you feel inclined, come say hi. I would love to shake your hand, give a dirt-covered hug, or just exchange kind words. I am the one with the overalls and the fluffy hair sticking out of the visor. While we grow food for some of the best restaurants in King County, you, the CSA members are the real reason Ecolibrium exists. So thank you. Truly from the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting a small sustainable farm and for engaging and creating community around one of the most primal, raw, and essential parts of life.
I lied, this is actually the last part… The farm is in great hands. You will see continued growth and improvement over the coming years that I am so bummed I will not get to experience. The leadership team taking over here are some of the hardest working, brightest, thoughtful, and interesting humans I have ever met. I highly encourage you all to sign up again for yet another great season here at Ecolibrium Farms.
-Farmer Frank