I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer. Work on the farm continues, with an eye toward the approaching fall. For those who were not in the area, there was a good bit of a cold spot that passed through. The temps dropped considerably for a couple of days, and the low temp reached 41F here on the farm, with others in the area telling me they had localized temps down to 37F.

The crops in the field are growing okay, not great. The weather in general has been the biggest hindrance in having more veggies ready than I currently do. For those who already checked it, on the What’s Available page you will see that I was able to harvest a very small amount of Red Grape Tomatoes. And I do mean a small amount. Hopefully it’s a sign that I’ll be able to start harvesting more on a regular basis, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’ll also be picking some Snap Peas this week.

There is one specific issue that I wanted to address separately from the rest of the crop news. As some of you know, I have been dealing with a massive infestation of Colorado Potato Beetles. These pests are around every year, but usually in small numbers that I can handle with the natural-based insecticides I typically use. This year, they have been are here by the thousands. Normally, they’d show up, I’d spray, and it would be fine. This year the numbers showing up are in the thousands. I’d spray, knock the population down, and then with a couple of days there would be even more of them. I don’t know why, and frankly don’t care anymore. They have devastated about 70% of the Potato crop and started moving about the field. Finally reaching the line in the sand, I invoked the nuclear option, and am currently spraying the Potatoes with two of the less bad synthetic pesticides (rapid breakdown, limited plant interaction and uptake) in alternating cycles (along with the natural fungal-based treatment), and will unfortunately have to continue to do so until this problem is under control. This operation is currently limited to the Potatoes, and should it change, proper notice will be made.

The chickens are all doing well. I will have Fresh Whole Chicken available this week, along with frozen birds.

I got another batch of honey from Mickle Hollow Maple & Honey this week, so all the types will be available at the stand. I also placed an order with them for Creamed Honey (something they make only in limited amounts), and should be able to have it in a few weeks.

Sales of preserves have been brisk, and consequently, people are asking if I am running short. The answer is not yet, and if necessary will be making more in a few weeks to meet the demand for the fall.

I’m pretty sure there was something else I meant to include with this update, but cannot think of what it was, so this will have to do for now. Hope you all have a great week.