On Saturday March 9th we will have the first Open Farm Day of 2013 here at Full Belly Farm. The main activity of the day will be our visit to several corners of the farm riding on on a tractor-drawn trailer. We will make special stops at the asparagus to see how it is growing, and to pick some flowers from the colorful fields. The baby lambs are always a highlight of this early spring tour — the ewes are just starting to give birth this week! We may also visit our greenhouses which should be bursting with tiny plants, the compost pile, the pig pen and our mobile chicken coops!
Spring energy is exciting and quite different than winter, summer and fall. We are expecting, preparing, and watching. We hope that the weather will be gentle for the fruit trees as they bloom. We want the pollinating insects to be plentiful. We are finishing winter projects and going crazy trying to stay on top of spring projects. The farm spring energy infects all of the farmers here and it may also infect you if you come to Open Farm Day!
After the tour, we will sit down together to share a picnic lunch. If it’s a warm day you may decide to visit Cache Creek for a wade or maybe to watch for the many bird species that can be seen there. You are also welcome to take a self-guided walking tour around the farm.
Open Farm Day is an opportunity for us, the farmers, to try and express to you, our members, how much we appreciate your participation. We are doing our best here at the Farm, to grow a diversity of fruits, nuts and veggies, while also taking care of this land, our crew of employees, and even thinking of future generations. If you’re eating the veggies in your CSA box, you are already connected to Full Belly, but a visit to the farm can make that connection even stronger.
Philosophical questions about food tend to come up during our farm tours: Why should I care where my food is grown? Why does it matter if there are family farms left? What does it mean to be an organic farm? You’re welcome to bring your questions and start the discussion. On a more practical note, you can also swap recipes with other CSA members.
Plan on arriving around 10:30. The tour trailer takes off at 11:00 am sharp. Bring your extended family, a picnic lunch, a sun hat, a water canteen, comfortable shoes and lots of questions! Kids are encouraged to come – we will be seeing lots of fun animals and, hopefully, we will harvest a few yummy snacks. There is no fee for CSA members and their families. No reservations are needed.
If you have questions, please email Hallie, our tour coordinator, or call the farm office, 530-796-2214.
It is transplanting time at the farm! Jan (driving the tractor), Jordan (left), and Ana (right) are transplanting Red Russian Kale, to be harvested later this spring.
