I always feel fortunate to have so many of you inquiring about how everything is working here on our farm. As the outdoor growing season is rapidly drawing to a close, I am pleased to report the warmer and drier summer resulted in strong yields of our forty different crops.
Demand for what we grow was and remains strong as we transition into our hydroponic crops of tomatoes, lettuce and greens. This strong market is due to you, our loyal customers, and our entire farm team appreciates your support.
Our new processing and cold storage center, located on the exact footprint and designed to appear as the original rambling barn, added much to the efficiency, quality of produce, and comfort of our field crew and other team members.
Fully staffing our farm team continues to be challenging in some areas, but this year, our core crew of forty would work whatever days and hours needed to make sure all our fields and greenhouses were productive, our farm kitchen and bakery kept cooking and baking every day, and our farm market was ready for business. Folks don’t realize that the first member of our team would start at 2:30 am, and the last one would finish at 10:00 pm, seven days a week.
I also wish you to know that the work ethic among our student workers was outstanding. Any criticism of youth work habits and lack of ambition would seldom be evidenced here on our farm.
We are well underway planning and preparing for our 2025 season. Our greenhouses and equipment have weeks and months ahead of repair and maintenance with the first seeds scheduled for germination in mid-January.
Our continued focus will be on food production from our fields, greenhouses, and farm kitchen. As part of that, we’re often communicating and collaborating with other New Hampshire farmers. Kyle Lacasse, our farm’s production manager and president of the New Hampshire Vegetable and Berry Grower’s Association, will be hosting a committee this month tasked with fruit and vegetable strategic planning for the New Hampshire Food Alliance. In December, many members of our farm team will be attending the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference.
Given the large number of loyal and supportive customers, and our passionate and hard working team, our farm will be in good shape for the 2025 season.
Before 2024 ends, however, our team is focused on helping you have a tasty and festive Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday season. Stop by and see us! We’ll be open through December 31.