Humble Pie Farm

Full circle panoramic September sunrise view of HPF from the field edge. 

We're loving the light lines this time of year. So lovely. 

We're getting ready to end production for the season. The crazy rain last week kind of put the flowers, and us, over the edge. 

We've had a great first season on this farm, and feel good about the flowers and food that have left our farm for your homes and stores and restaurants and events. In this blog, this year especially, I ride this line of wanting to share the reality of farming, but not be too negative. Right now, you guys, we just need a break and some perspective. It's been a rough year. And wonderful in so many ways. But the consistent 15 hour days can get'chya down. The combination of intense weather, first year infrastructure-building, and just the sheer intensity of the farm-work lifestyle have left us very tired. 

 

Lindsey and Sarma have been wonderful employees and we're so grateful for their good work on our farm.

I was trying to capture my last Monday in the field before I resume my off-farm job regular M-F schedule. Hmm. Time for rest I think. No idea on the red aura. I'm not angry, really.

You can see many of those beds behind me are empty. We've taken them down for the winter and seeded them with cover crops. Soon we'll start building a bigger green house so we can grow more flowers, and some starter plants for sale in spring. We'll be investing in some spring bulbs and portable stable hooped tunnels for earlier flowers and spring wind and rain protection.

We've learned some things about this windy ridge. One of them is that we need some wind protection in spring. But we're not ready to build a big structure that requires a lot of capital and investment. We think these tunnels invented by Elliot Coleman are going to do the trick for next year. 

So, we have some work to do in the next few months. Not to mention order seeds, and make a production plan, and, and. Oh how I love farming on paper. :)

Clouds and flowers.

These sunnies have taken their sweet, sweet time. And the next planting too. With all the rain and clouds, they've really just been sitting in the field. And their leaves are turning purple with the chill in the air.

We left the farm last weekend for a few reasons, but also got to go bowling. It was so fun. As E grows and becomes more capable, it's really fun to do things as a family. And, preschool bowling shoes are so darn cute.

As you can see, Officer Earl did really well for his first bowling experience. "Tossed Salad" as Stretch was known on his college bowling league took the win. I held my own.

The moral of the story is: 

Living your dream can be really hard and simultaneously immeasurably rewarding and wonderful. 

We wouldn't have it any other way. 

And we're so grateful to our community for choosing local flowers and food so that we can continue to grow them.

Please come to our party on October 8th! We've definitely confirmed the jug band, and will borrow a cider press to make fresh cider by the Humble Pie Farm cup. That's right, your very first opportunity to get in on some HPF swag with our new adorable logo.

Saturday, October 8. 3-6pm. We'd love to see you.

Have a wonderful week, friends!

xo

J,M+E