1st week of March 2009

March is here and after a bitter cold day earlier this week with sharp wind and single digit temperatures, the sun is shining with predicted temperatures in the 50's. Spring is on it's way! There are still plenty of things left on my winter list to complete before outdoor work comes in earnest and the sunshine helps put a spring in my step to hustle and get them done. It will be several weeks till the ground can be worked but it's time to start seeds indoors in preparation. So far I have an early batch of tomatoes (Stupice, Sungold and New Girl), snapdragons, onions, leeks and broccoli (Umpqua) started. Here I am transplanting my tomato seedlings into packs with my little helper looking over my shoulder. I'm anxious for my seed order to arrive so I can start more seeds. Today I brought my stevia and lemon verbena plants up from the basement so they can bask in the sun by the window and start regrowing. Also cheering our window are the pussywillows and forsythia we cut several weeks ago and are now blooming. The first flowers of the year.

Our winter education continues as we watched the documentary, The Future of Food. This made us really stop to think about the implications of just a few large corporations controlling the world's seed supply and whether placing patents on various seeds and genes is a wise thing. One company is estimated to already own some 11,000 patents on plants and genes making it technically illegal for anyone to grow what their company "owns" without permission, even if it is accidental through pollen drift or other means. The time is so ripe for more small farmers and gardeners to carefully scrutinize their seed sources, start saving their own seed and voice the need for GMO food labeling in the supermarket. I am working on a list of what crops I want to grow out for seed this year. Ironically, the evening we watched the DVD, I received a call to give a program on heirloom seeds for a local historical society. Other educational opportunities came from visiting other small farmers, both in person and through reading blogs on the internet. One evening we had a delightful visit with Amish friends who are growing cut flowers and looking to start a CSA and we were able to swap seeds and valuable information while enjoying popcorn and English walnuts. Coming up I have several opportunities to educate others in various settings (see Events for details.) I am learning how limited I am in accomplishing all I would like to on our farm but discovering the beauty of inspiring others to grow things where they are. We just got an e-mail from a regular egg customer with pictures of their new chicks - you would think they were new parents. Sure, we'll be losing an egg customer in a few months when their hens start laying but something so much more valuable has been gained knowing we were able to encourage them and share advice on chicken raising.