Answering the call to become a farmer at the not so tender year of 52 last July was nearly a spontaneous leap of faith. Those who choose to follow me on my sojourn through my first year of starting an organic permaculture farm shall bear witness to my trials, tribulations, and revelations (and may learn a few growing tips along the way).
New Harmony on a frozen January day
Frozen Beginning:
Although this winter has been unusually warm ( or perhaps a harbinger of the new normal with Global Warming) the ground has finally frozen. I am able to walk my back field for the first time that was too wet and dense with foliage to easily traverse before. Although the soil and ice below my feet feels as hard as steel, I sense not death but slumbering potential waiting for the sun to come back closer to the earth. New worlds and new possibilities for the farm arise before my eyes and my imagination.
After much anticipation (on my part anyway), I’m delighted to report that I have now recieved my certification from Bay State Organic Certifiers that states that all produce grown at New Harmony Farm is 100% organic!
Bull's Blood Beet Greens getting ready to be sent to the Natural Grocer in Newburyport
I am very proud to be the only Certified Organic CSA in the Greater Newburyport area (the next closest certified organic CSA is Green Meadows Farm in South Hamilton). When I first decided to take on being an organic farmer, I did not think twice about incurring the considerable extra costs of only using approved organic materials, the extra paperwork, and the certification fee as I believe that consumers should be confident in knowing that all produce they receive in their harvest share is grown to strict organic standards which are good for the earth and all its inhabitants. For the produce grown at New Harmony I am going beyond organic and planning on not using even the broad spectrum natural pesticides that can cause harm to bees and other beneficial insects if not carefully applied. My focus will be on growing my soil through the use of compost, micro minerials and other natural materials and natural foliar sprays to build up my plants nutritional value and immunity to pests and disease.
Stay tuned to this blog to learn more about New Harmony’s earth friendly growing practices and permaculture designs for our farm.
Thanks to the diligence and techno savvy of my husband and web wizard Michael, You are now able to give immediate gratification to your enthusiasm to become part of our New Harmony CSA by being able to join on line.
To join our 2012 Summer CSA on line click here.
