"Good farmers, who take seriously their duties as stewards of Creation and of their land's inheritors, contribute to the welfare of society in more ways than society usually acknowledges, or even knows. These farmers produce valuable goods, of course; but they also conserve soil, they conserve water, they conserve wildlife, they conserve open space, they conserve scenery." ~Wendell Berry

We have watched them from seeds placed in the soil, to unfurling leaves, reaching tendrils, climbing vines, rain drenched flowers, to abundant fruits.  The sweet peas have arrived!  Ninety two pounds of peas were harvested yesterday; over a period of five hours with ten hands steadily picking them.  What a joy it is to share them with each of you.  We hope you will enjoy them all the more, knowing they are coming to you from a local farm, grown with care, and harvested with much gratitude.  They are prolific and offering more fruits everyday, so if God wills, we will continue to harvest and share in the coming weeks.

The cool days and periodic gentle rains are providing an ideal environment for the continuation of spring greens.  An abundance of kale is standing vibrant and strong in the field, crisp from the recent rain.  The spinach has re-carpeted the beds from which the leaves were cut for last weeks share, and the young turnips have filled the space from which last weeks mature turnips were pulled.  All the crops are singing the quality of generosity as they give nourishment to us and then multiply to give more.  

The bee hive that was divided two weeks prior into two hives, echoes that quality of generosity and expansion, as the bees seem to have settled into their expanded quarters.  Bees are flying in and out with vigor, full of pollen and nectar.  We choose not to feed them sugar water, a practice often suggested when dividing a hive, and trust in nature to provide their needs.  It was a valuable lesson in trust, and we are grateful to see how they are acclimating and expanding into their new homes.  We have uncovered a row of spring kale that went to flower as a offering to the bees, as we have plenty of kale to share with all of you already.  One row now stands in glorious yellow splendor, with the bees dancing around all the flowers.

Another exciting project currently happening at the farm is the construction of a cobb oven.  This dream seed was planted years ago and nurtured with patience.  The seed is unfurling, as the pea seeds did, and nearing the time of fruition.  We hope to give it a test run or two over the next month as we widdle away at completing the dome, and then host a CSA potluck, complete with wood fired pizza with toppings fresh from the garden.  Updates on the way, as we await the fruits of the project.  This week as we enjoy our sugar snap peas, I am reflecting on the many metaphors and qualities the garden whispers and shines forth in to our hearts.   Our dreams are like seeds, when planted with good intention, faith, patience, the water of love, and attention; manifest as glorius fruits that give generously and without need of any return.

We invite you to follow us on Facebook for the full photo library of the project and more beautiful pictorial interludes!