A Frame Throughout the Years (& Orders for 3/29)

The frame was purchased years ago, while we were still in our land-clearing/preparing (dreaming and hoping) phase of farming. We got word of a nursery on the other side of town going out of business. We wielded power drills, sawzalls, a borrowed truck and trailer, and a handful of friends to dismantle it, with a promise of a case of beer at the end of the day.

Since that sunshine-filled and memorable day. this frame has sat, propped up by pine trees at the edge of the woods. Waiting. We have since put up two smaller and simpler frames, and one larger and stronger frame greenhouse. Each matching the needs and particulars of the situation. The time wasn’t yet right for this frame.

We started this business, as many of you know, without any real capital and a general avoidance of debt. This approach has its upsides, but it also means a greater propensity to have a set of at least 10 different tasks or issues screaming for our attention at all times. Our job in running this business is sometimes to be able to pay attention to the 10 (or more) distinct cries and decide what really needs immediate attention and what can wait a bit.

For the past two years, the propagation greenhouse has been hollering, but not quite loudly enough to garner action. This year, it became an unmistakable shriek. (Can you see how many trays of seedlings are in the photo above?? We really don’t want them there.) Not conveniently, this year the need for a barn also became an intolerable howl.

And so, while we don’t wish to be still working on these building projects in March (almost April!!), this wet and cold winter (along with other cries for our attention) dictated this less-than-lovely schedule. Regardless, it will all get done, and the vegetables will grow. And then we will all eat and be happy.

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This Week’s Harvest, for ordering by our Market Share CSA Members:
Chard, Kale, Salad Mix, Spring Onions (Scallions)…plus Pepper Jelly, and our Naturally Leavened, Hearth Baked Bread.

Upcoming Events at Broadfork:

Spring Farm Tour and Plant Sale
Saturday, April 26, 2014 2:00 – 5:00pm
Guided Tour at 3:00

Forest Days at Broadfork Farm
A spring session for Homeschooled students, ages 5-7 and 8-12
Tuesdays (April 22 – May 13) from 9:30am – 1:00pm. See details on our Events Page.

2014 Market Share CSA Members: Choose your selection through our Online Store to order for pick up on Saturday at our farm or Good Health Herbs from 9am – 12:30pm (in Brandermill) or in the Byrd Park area of Richmond on Sunday morning (details in online store.)

Everyone else: Please sign up for our 2014 Market Share CSA and start placing orders now. Our Farm Stand will open up again as soon as there is enough produce to fill it, and we will return to our booth at the farmers’ markets at some point in April.

Our amazing Farm Share CSA provides you with a weekly share of vegetables on Wednesdays, May through September (summer season) in exchange for an investment in our farm in the preceding winter or spring. Sign up is going on now! Pick up locations forming around Chesterfield and potentially Richmond. Learn more here.

Sample week’s share from September 2013.