ReFlections of a ReFarmer--Thoughts on the coming season from J

2022 has been a wild ride so far. The unusually warm and dry weather has been interspersed with some of the coldest days I’ve ever experienced in March and April. These swings are changing up how the plants are responding, but luckily most of the fruit trees seem happy; the mulberries are looking fantastic this year and showing up extra early. We expect them to make an appearance in the first few CSA shares of the season. The cherries are not far behind the mulberries and all the young stone fruit trees are looking healthy and should be fruiting for shares in 2023. The late night freezing temps were not so kind to the row crops. The early-planted potatoes were scheduled for early summer shares, but they suffered a small setback last week when the temperature dropped into the high 20s on the farm. Sadly, we also lost almost all of the annual early-planted squash and cucumbers, but the old faithful zucchini are thriving as they always do in the area. They will be ready (assuming no more surprises from nature) in the spring shares coming soon.

Leafy greens are looking fabulous this year. Our favorite lettuce, kale, collards, and chard from years past are growing well and looking happy. To add to the mix, we are trialing 5 new lettuce varieties. We are looking for varieties that are delicate and tasty in the summer heat and a few look quite promising.

We are also testing several varieties of slicing tomatoes. They are not something that we have grown much on the farm, but we have had several requests in our annual CSA member survey. We selected varieties known for taste, most of which are AAS (All-American Selection) winners so they should meet our flavor expectations. They are already in the ground and beginning to flower so we are hoping for fruit earlier than with varieties we have grown in the past. 

All farm projects evolve and our protein programs are also being reimagined. This season we are trialing another heritage meat chicken, the American Bresse. The heritage birds are slow growing but more flavorful than commercial breed and the Bresse is known as one of the best tasting birds in the world. Heritage birds are a long-planned project for the farm. Unlike with conventional breeds that have been bred to infertility, heritage eggs can be hatched on the farm and eliminate our need to import from breeders outside California. The American Bresses are expected to be better adapted to our climate and should be happier birds on the farm as well.

Also, on the protein side is our new partnership with Avdis Ranch. They have offered our CSA members an exclusive share of ground beef grown within the city limits of Sacramento. Their cattle are raised completely on grass by third generation cattle farmers who value their animals and environment as much as we do at the ReFarmery. Their beef is not only responsibly raised but some of the best tasting I’ve ever had. There are few farms whose meat I will eat and Avdis is one of them. If you are interested you can have it added on as a monthly addition to your CSA or find them at the North Natomas farmers market when in season.

With the return of spring, comes a new season of CSA shares. Our season is when we make good on the promise of the farm to our members and supporters. If you are receiving this email, you are one of the two and we thank you.

Sincerely,