I suppose if this update was titled it would be something like – The Woodchuck Strikes Back, or maybe – Revenge of the Coyotes, or perhaps Skunk Wars. And yes, all three are here, and all three are serious problems. Hope all of you are doing well in what has quickly turned into Fall here in the mountains. For those I talked to last week, it certainly seems like that feeling of change was accurate, as the quickly changing and dropping leaves are demonstrating. Ah well, and though it is what it is, I’m just glad I ordered as much firewood as I did.

The few crops that are still growing like normal in the field are doing fine so far. As I thought though, Sweet Corn won’t make it this year, as the cool down will slow their growth to next to nothing. The forecast lows over the next week (in the low to mid 40’s) will also surely take their toll. Deer have been actively eating the Tomato plants and any fruit that are even approaching ripe enough to pick. Can’t say that in the 14 years I’ve been growing stuff here, that I have ever seen the deer go after Tomato plants, much less Sunflower and Gladiolus leaves. Then again, maybe they know something we don’t.

Anyway, the chickens are still laying at full steam, and with the feed issue apparently resolved, they are laying many more Large and XL-sized eggs. Jumbo eggs are still fairly scarce, but do make an occasional showing. In the less than positive chicken news category, I have had to separate and bring one of the layer hens inside, as she was being constantly pecked and harassed by the other hens. If anyone is looking for a pet chicken, she is available to a willing and able home. Additionally, the new batch of meat chickens are getting bigger every day, and I swear there are times you can see it happening.

I was able to make some more Preserves this week, so the smaller size Raspberry and Strawberry-Rhubarb are once again available. I get the feeling that I will probably have to make a few more batches over the next couple of weeks just to keep from running out completely before the end of the season.

Lastly, I would like to make a request. For people who come by the stand would you please let me know if you are planning on being here past Labor Day. I usually scale back operations pretty quickly afterwards, since kids are usually back in school, however, given the current state of things I get the sense that more people than usual will be around after that time and I would like to make sure that I either harvest or get enough that it will at least come close to meeting demand. So if it’s possible, please let me know.

That’s about it for the update this week. Thanks to all of you, I sincerely appreciate your support of the farm. Hope you all have a great week.