At this time of year, we have the hardest task on the Cedar Ridge Farm. For almost all of our volunteers, this is worse than digging raised beds, pulling up deep-rooted weeds, or pushing wheelbarrows of compost back and forth to the plots. It is the difficult—almost...
One of my friends who helps on the farm each week has learning difficulties. Sometimes they help him see things that I would otherwise miss. Like how funny zucchinis are… and let’s face it, they are! Even the word “zucchini” is funny. If you check the farm harvest...
“I have some bad news,” said the arborist. “Your ash tree is infected with Emerald Ash Borer and, in accordance with USDA regulations, I need to cut it down and take away all the lumber for burning. My heart sank. In addition to the cost and the loss of a huge...
Today marks the beginning of autumn—my very favorite season. On the farm, the early morning chill sharpens my senses. The flowers blaze in fiery shades of red, orange and yellow, enchanting a dozen butterflies. The freshly pulled carrots release a sweet, earthy smell...
Not everything we plant makes it to harvest. This year, squash beetles have destroyed whole rows on the farm. It’s difficult to see hard work, seeds, and water go to waste, and it’s sad to admit that we won’t be able to pass whole crops along to the...
The seed catalogues make farming look so orderly and easy: neat rows of weed- and bug-free onions and carrots. Eggplants ripe and dark with luscious foliage. Uniform-sized, unblemished green peppers. The photos never show groundhogs munching away on the cabbages,...
