September Things: Popcorn Harvest & The Organic Farming Conference

LEARNING BY DOING: POPCORN HARVEST

The very anticipated time is here, well, at least by Jake and I: popcorn harvest!

We aren’t exactly acquainted with the nuances of growing or harvesting corn, so it’s been a fun journey of asking friends and Googling random questions about timing, curing, and storage. But from what I’ve gathered, the husks are drying down and it’s time to take the popcorn off the plant.

There is some worm damage (a bit frustrating, but there is still plenty of usable crop, and maybe this is just to be expected with an organic system? I don’t know!). Shucking the corn is essential for getting it dried down, so our space-saving solution is to hang the cobs in our storage container.

Now, every other week or so, we take some kernels off the cob and bring them home to test if they’ll pop. And once they do, we can transfer all the kernels off the cobs — we got a friend with a hand-crank tool from the ’50s? — and put them in jars for long-term storage.

I have no idea how much we’ll actually yield, but it sure has been a fun process.

Alongside the corn, we’re starting to harvest our dry beans. I think those will amount to just enough for our personal stash, but it’s still very fun to see all these beautiful little jewels come from the earth.

There’s a lesson in here somewhere about learning by doing. As much as you can learn from books, friends, and Google, there is nothing quite as educational as doing it with your hands. There is no day in farming without learning. And it’s such a good reminder that the best way to become familiar with something is just to do it.

THE CENTRAL COAST ORGANIC AG CONFERENCE

Jake and I also had the honor of being invited to speak at the Central Coast Organic Agricultural Conference. We were representing farms that have recently transitioned to organic on the opening panel for the conference.

It’s always encouraging to be a part of these events and to be surrounded by so much information and so many resources for organic farming in our unique area.

One of the questions asked during the panel was, “What is one resource that has helped you be organic?”

I prefaced my answer with the fact that our transition was relatively easy because our farm was pasture before it became a production site. The resource I wanted to highlight was you, our customers!

Being certified organic has been met with so much support and has opened the door for lots of intentional conversations about why we grow food the way we do.

I wanted to thank you all for supporting our farm and trusting us to grow your food. We think it’s such a high honor!

TOMATO TASTING

A quick shoutout to the SLO Seed Exchange group! We hosted this epic group of growers, storytellers, and seed savers at the farm for a potluck and tomato tasting last Saturday. It was so wonderful to connect over the unique challenges of growing on the Central Coast, swap stories and seeds, and share our little farm with you all.

Thank you for all the encouragement and for reminding us how special it is to have a community of people growing, saving, and sharing together. If you’re interested in connecting with these growers, you can find their group on Facebook, or I can connect you personally :)

Cheers to sharing seeds and growing traditions!

THIS WEEK’S HARVEST

We are definitely feeling a shift in our harvest rhythms, and we’ll continue to feel fall approach.

The slowing down of the winter months is looming. Our summer crops are feeling tired and slowing down, while the fall crops are starting to have their moment.

Expect cauliflower, kale, carrots, beets, and cabbage to have their time again!

And peppers are shining right now. September is their time in our milder climate.

Visit us at our Farmstand on Mondays (4-6:30) and see the garden! Find us at the Morro Bay Farmers Market on Thursdays 2-4:30!

Summer Crops

• Heirloom Tomatoes

• Paste Tomatoes

• Miniature Slicer Tomatoes

• Cherry Tomatoes

• Zucchini

• Armenian Cucumbers

• Lemon Cucumbers

• Bell Peppers

• Gypsy Peppers

• Sweet Carmen Roasting Peppers

• Edamame

  
  Greens

• Mellow Mix is back!

• Head Lettuce

• Kale

• Chard

Roots and Bulbs

• Garlic

• Fennel

• Golden and Chioggia Beets

• Red Radishes

• Mini Purple Onions

Fresh Herbs (also available at the Co-op!)

• Tarragon

• Genovese Basil

• Thai Basil

• Tulsi Basil

• Sage

• Cilantro

• Dill

• Thyme

& Strawflower Bouquets!

To good food! and good company!

Your farmers,

Jake & Jesse :)