Spring, often the most anticipated season in Vermont, as our winter’s are long, even when you love winter. On our farm, we were under snow from November 9th to just about tax day. Yes, that is 5 months of full snow cover.
So Spring is exciting for the farmers, the livestock, the plants and we presume for visitors and our farm shoppers alike!
A few photos that capture some of the joy of Spring.
The week started off with a fabulous May Day (rain delayed) celebration on the Northfield Common. Huge thanks to Cassie & Charlie of Farmor Farm for instigating (and doing the heavy lifting) along with the Northfield Farmers Market & Recreation Committee for this great community event!
The vibrancy, colors and diversity of our hoophouses, which have brought joy and harvests throughout those 5 months of outdoor snowcover. Tomatoes are going in amidst various salad greens and edible flowers in our EverBed system (more on that soon!), allowing them (and the soil microbes) to enjoy some cover and companionship. While the tomatoes grow, we also get to continue to harvesting greens.
It was a big week for our two Boars, Rin Tin Tin & Balto, this week as well. After a long winter vacation in our south barn, they got to go for a walk and meet up with our sows. We wish we had a video of Balto, nearly kicking up his feet and galloping down the hill, or of Tiggles & Tabitha, veering off course to graze the green grass and find a nice mud puddle. Seems they too are excited about Spring.
Mari did capture a great moment during chores between Christina & Rin Tin Tin, our large, Tamworth boar. Truly the piglets and sows often get all the attention, but Christina had a nice moment of appreciation with Rin.
Here’s to all our staff who really lean into their work, in all the seasons!