Gather

Well, it looks like we are heading into the (extra) busy season on the farm!  

We thought May was busy with seedlings to plant and garden beds to prepare.  But then we came to mid August!  Not only are the gardens bursting with daily harvests needed on beans, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs and flowers, we also need to dry, preserve, bake, freeze and ferment the harvests.  Weeds have multiplied and still need attending to; last plantings are being done for late fall harvests; winter hoop house gardens are being planned; chickens need daily attention (they will be starting to lay any day now!); cover crops are being planted and straw mulch needs to put down as we prepare for winter; we are starting to save seeds for next year.  Then there is firewood to order; our hoop house end walls to build so we can close it in for winter; maybe a new roof to put on our house; and of course the regular list of daily chores and household maintenance…

The days are full, and my word this week has been “gather”. 

As you read above, we are in gathering mode every day, taking buckets and our garden cart with us to the fields and hoop house, never coming back to the house empty handed.  We have enjoyed sharing what we gathered in our gardens at local markets this past week, and in the veggie boxes that we bring to Winnipeg each Thursday.  We are also excited to try out the idea of putting up a NEW MINI FARM STAND on our driveway (starting this week or next), to further share what we have gathered from our fields with the local community who drives by.   The farm stand will be open Friday afternoons, featuring our garden veggies and upcoming pumpkin/winter squash harvest in Sept-October, along with other farm goodies. 

This weekend we also had the opportunity to gather with a community of people to help with a cob oven building project on our friends’ farm.  This gathering reminded us of the importance of community in our life.  Despite being busy (we all are), it’s important to take time to slow down and gather with friends and family.  Our farm-life goals are not only to cultivate gardens, but also to cultivate friendships.  Taking time to gather together in person, doing hands-on projects together, builds these relationships where we can share our skills, share meaningful conversations, share ideas and resources, and support each other in a variety of ways.

In light of all this “gathering”, we are planning a few exciting on-farm Field-to-Table workshops in September!  If you want to come gather with us to learn about veggie fermentation, making fire cider, or soap making, please check the workshops out here.  We would love to have you gather with us at Swallowtail Farmstead for these hands-on skill-sharing afternoons.