This will be a place where CSA members and interested parties can come and check out what exciting occurrences are happening at the farm. There is lots to report already, even though the ground is covered with a fresh 10 inches of snow.
All of the seeds have been ordered from Fedco, High Mowing, Johnny's, and Turtle Tree, which are great local seed suppliers. In all, we have well over 150 different varieties of vegetables to grow this coming season. We have 21 different varieties of tomatoes, including a Roman Speckled paste tomato (pictured above), and 18 different kinds of lettuce greens! Very soon, I will be working in the greenhouse to start the onion, leeks, and scallion seedlings, so they will be ready to plant out the 1st of May.
Other exciting news, is that so far, we fit all the requirements to receive funding through NRCS's EQUIP program. Someone was out for a site visit last Thursday, and I still have all my fingers and toes crossed. If we receive funding, it could potentially pay for the deer fencing (over a $2500 expense), irrigation, and a new hoop house (up to $10,000)!! Pickpocket Farm falls into the beginning farmer category, which means we would be compensated for 90% of the cost of these items, except for the hoop house. The hoop house would be entirely covered! We are looking at the Rolling Thunder model (22' X 48') of hoop house for the farm. I like this design because it is moveable around the field. We should know by the 1st week of March, if we have been approved. If we are not approved, we will just be on a list, for the next round of funding.
You may be interested in some upcoming events in the state of New Hampshire:
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) will be putting on their winter conference, Saturday March 6th in Concord. Our family will be attending the Green Fair.
Seacoast Eat Local's Winter Farmers Market will be at Wentworth Greenhouse in Rollinsford on February 27th. This market is huge and lots of fun for families to attend too. Check out pictures here.
I wanted to share a fairly short and inspiring article from Eliot Coleman, Small is Beautiful (and radical). May the small farmer stand strong!
Check back for more updates as the weather warms up and please feel free to comment to tell me what you think!
Audrey Gerkin
Farmer