Oh, what a Spring it is!

I awoke this morning to 38 degree temperatures here at WSF and tried to think through our next two weeks in terms of production and greenhouse propagation. We need to focus and work through the ups and downs of an Ohio spring to achieve perhaps the best start to a growing season I’ve seen since 2009. In farming, productivity and prosperity are illustrated through visibly short windows of time. A cool, wet spring fosters success later in the season. We move quickly to make changes in our farm plan to accommodate these weather trends.

Here are some highlights of our early production schedule:

HEAD LETTUCE. Our spring lettuce crops look excellent this year! Our red butterhead lettuce, Skyphos, has grown exceptionally well. Look for these to appear in our June CSA boxes and enjoy their sweet, blanched centers. Another excellent early lettuce, Bergams Green, will bring tremendous crunch and loft to your summer salads.

SUGAR SNAP PEAS. We have two successions of Sugar Snaps planted this spring at WSF. Last year we planted many with the prospect of filling early CSA boxes. However, the 90 degree May temperatures brought our peas two weeks earlier than expected. They became very starchy and had little field holding qualities in the drought conditions. This year we expect to harvest peas over a three-week period in June. Additionally, we have sown some Snow Peas to enjoy this spring as well. They are growing slow and steadily. We’ll have to keep the crew from eating too many of these in the field while harvesting. Sugar Snaps are perhaps the most aptly name vegetable of all!

RAINBOW CARROT MIX. I can taste them already… The color, the texture, the intensity. Although our summer carrots don’t have the same sweetness as the fall storage varieties, they do bring a wonderful flavor to raw dishes. They convey our soil quality and minerality the best of any WSF product. I would expect these to be ready for harvest in late June this season.

We have a great crew this season at WSF, especially our new work share members. They have been very helpful to our early season production. We have shared many funny stories and enjoyed getting to know these new folks. We have transplanted seedlings, propagated plants in the greenhouse, hoed our early raised beds and familiarized them with our systems on the farm. We still have a few work share available for this season, and it’s a great way to get involved at Wayward Seed Farm. For more information, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com.

Enjoy the spring season,

Farmer Adam (Welly)

It’s Springtime at Wayward Seed!

We are gearing up for our first outdoor plantings of the year here at Wayward Seed Farm. It has been a cold but productive March and the greenhouse is loaded with plants ready for transplant. We have a large amount of cauliflower and summer green cabbage that we are going to try for the spring planting. Cauliflower doesn’t always head well in Ohio’s hot Spring weather, but we wanted to give it a try in our most fertile field. The rich, moist field behind the facility always gives the plants a good head start, so cross your fingers for some big, June cauliflower.

Adam Utley has been busy preparing our facility for returning workers and our new work share members. The equipment is repaired, oiled and ready to fire up. The first head lettuces will be transplanted on Friday if we can get a few more windy days to dry out the raised beds. We’ll also see if our local deer herd will be on hand to observe our lettuce plants as early season appetizers.

Our first work shares start on April 15^th and we are very pleased with the initial response to the program. Seven members have joined the work share team. If possible, WSF would like an additional five work share members. We will post the details of the program again, hoping to spur more interest from the community. It is an exciting moment for the farm. We are maturing as an operation and increased interaction with our member community is a rewarding facet of Wayward Seed’s development.

Until next time…

Farmer Adam

PS: For those of you counting, our first CSA shares will be delivered in just 10 weeks!

A Wayward Seed Farm Family Potluck

Hi, I’m Adam Utley. Some of you know me as “the other Adam, Adam #2, or simply, a member of the Adams.” I’m looking forward to the start of my fourth season at Wayward Seed Farm. I’m originally from Warren County in southwest Ohio, and I studied religion at Miami University (Ohio). After three years of community-based organizing with Latino immigrants in South Minneapolis, and after two years of garden-based nutrition-education work with kids in Philadelphia, I learned that home is not too far from where I started. I now live with my wife and a cat in Plain City. We attend church at Summit on 16th United Methodist near OSU campus.

In my short time here, I’ve had the distinct opportunity of soil testing and tilling, farm planning, business planning, grant writing, record-keeping, maintaining organic certification, greenhouse repair and management, planting seedlings and seeds, killing weeds, operating trucks, trailers, tractors, designing equipment, facilitating community forums, procuring materials, marketing, harvesting, washing, packing, loading, delivering, sterilizing, fertilizing, and getting to know our members. Much of this I’ve gotten to do while having funny and stimulating conversations with smart people. I hope that many of you will consider our “Work Share” program in which members will pay for their share by working hard with us for five hours each week.

After a few years at Wayward, I don’t know of any better way to learn about growing organic vegetables than by doing so hands-on for profit. Trying to become a professional farm worker has also taught me about myself–my limits and lack thereof, desires, fears, and my own human nature. I’ve learned that beyond the ideals of environmental ecology and eating well, good farming requires the connoisseurship of flavors and a love for business. It is a craft that requires creativity, mental toughness, and the ability to improvise. It is a discipline that will take a lifetime or longer to master. On top of the knowledge base required to get started, farming depends upon the precisely calculated risk of entrepreneurs to finance land, equipment, and skilled labor in full consideration of the larger economic conditions at work. Despite the great tragedies and challenges we face in our country, my experiences at Wayward Seed Farm have now made me more proud than ever to be an “American” and to call myself an “Ohioan.” Learn more about the “Work Share” program by clicking here. I’ll see you on the farm.

Before I go, I’d like to invite you to join us for our first annual Wayward Seed Farm Family Potluck on Sunday, March 24th at 6pm at Wild Goose Creative! Whether you’re a current member or a CSA newcomer, we hope you’ll join us! This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow members, share a great meal and introduce the farm to your friends and family. That’s right–guests are encouraged!

Wayward Seed Farm will provide service ware and non-alcoholic drinks. (Feel free to BYOB.) Please bring a main dish, a side dish or a dessert that serves at least 4-6. Share your selection with your RSVP to farm@waywardseed.com or by clicking here. Since it’s just around the corner, please RSVP as soon as possible, but not later than March 20th. For more information, including directions, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com or visit www.wildgoosecreative.com. We’ll see you on the 24th!

2013 CSA Work Share Opportunities at Wayward Seed Farm

At Wayward Seed Farm, we harvest and deliver more than 250 CSA shares each week for 25 weeks per year, in addition to a robust farmers market and wholesale schedule. We have developed “work shares” because we want to give our members the opportunity to be involved at a much deeper level on “their” farm. A “work share” is the exchange of labor for a CSA share.

Work share members work together with full-time Wayward Seed Farm crew members. Our expectations are high. The jobs are physical. The work can be heavy, exhausting and repetitive; hot, cold or wet. Good physical condition is a must! Ability to repeatedly lift 30 pounds is a must. Although you may be in great physical condition, you will still discover muscles you never knew you had. You may find yourself in unfamiliar or uncomfortable positions for a sustained period of time (squatting, kneeling, stooping, bending). We work in ALL weather.

A work share requires a commitment of 5 hours of work per week for 25 week term (as defined in the Frequently Asked Questions section below) in exchange for one (1) Weekly Vegetable and Fruit Share. You will commit to a shift and work that shift for the entire season. Requests for permanent change(s) will be accepted in writing and decided upon within one (1) week. Requests may or may not be approved, and decisions by Wayward Seed Farm shall be final.

Shift options:

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 7:00am – 12:00pm or 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am – 12:00pm
Friday: 7:00am – 12:00pm

Frequently Asked Questions:

What will I be doing?
You will be involved in all aspects of vegetable harvest and post harvest including washing, bagging, bunching, weighing, counting, and sorting vegetables. You will weed, trellis, transplant, and mulch. Each shift has its own rhythm. There are many one-time jobs; some jobs repeat themselves week after week.

I’ve never done farm work before. How will I know what to do?
Each job will be explained and demonstrated (when applicable) by a Wayward Seed Farm crew member. You must listen carefully, follow directions, work hard, and ask questions. Working hard means keeping your hands moving, not stopping and chatting with the person working next you. (This doesn’t mean you can’t talk, you just have to keep working.)

Can I share the responsibility with my spouse, partner, housemate, etc.?
No. It is best if one person in a household makes the commitment to work the shift. It is unacceptable to simply send another person in your place.

Is there a difference between the morning and afternoon shifts?
Yes, morning shifts are spent primarily in the fields harvesting (but sometimes there is work in the packing shed). Afternoon shifts are spent primarily in the packing shed working with the vegetables that were harvested in the morning (but often there are outside jobs as well). With that said, our work is sometimes dependent on weather, and therefore, being flexible is the key to our success.

Can two of us come each week for 2.5 hours?
No. Leaving in the middle of a shift is not helpful for the farm.

When does the work share begin?
We have two schedules: April through September, and June through December. The first will begin the first week of April (1st-5th) and continues through the third week of September (16th-20th). The second work shares will begin the second week of June (10th-14th) and continues through the first week of December (2nd-6th) to coincide with the CSA delivery schedule. (As a part of the second work share, the week of Thanksgiving is an “off” week, as we do not deliver CSA shares.)

Can I work for an every other week share?
No. The work share is a 25 week commitment as defined above, which will earn you a Weekly Vegetable and Fruit Share.

Can I bring my child along?
No. We are working hard. The work is not geared for children. The farm will offer opportunities for families to come out and have fun.

Can I bring my dog out with me?
No.

What if I need to miss a shift because of vacation, illness or other conflict?
You can make up your shift. With the exception of illness or exceptional circumstances, prior notice is required. Your options will include working a double shift or two shifts in one week. Please consult with Adam Welly for more details and to get approval.

Can I work evenings or weekends?
No. Our farm work is only performed during the day on week days.

What if my schedule changes mid-season?
If you know your schedule will be changing mid-season we can talk about it and plan accordingly. If your schedule changes unexpectedly mid-season, we will do our best to accommodate it. In either case you will be able to switch to another shift that fits your schedule. If accommodations cannot be made that are reasonable for us under the circumstances, your work share will be terminated at that time.

I am a teacher/student and can only work during summer vacation, is this possible?
No, we really need workers for the entire 25 week season.

Is there an orientation?
We will hold an orientation on a Sunday in late March in the afternoon, for all work shares. All family members are invited! Also, a written Work Share Commitment Agreement will be required to be signed at this time.

After looking at all of this I would like to do a worker share. What should I do next?
Call or email Adam Welly at 614-226-8548 or adam@waywardseed.com. You can discuss details and specifics before making the final decision together to make the commitment and attend the orientation.

Work shares develop a special connection with the farm, farmers, and other workers, and develop an appreciation and understanding of organic vegetable production. Come join us on the farm this summer!

Excellent Soils, Great Crops, and the 2013 Wayward Seed Farm CSA Preview

Winter on a farm can be pretty desolate, cold and quiet. Snow covered fields, idle machinery and the occasional Cardinal at the bird feeder. However, here at WSF we are busy as bees researching and developing our most hopeful CSA season to date. Our team of Adam, Adam, Kristy, and of course Jaime have been calculating our needs for this upcoming season. Yes, that’s two Adams…

We have a lot to evaluate when planning our growing season here at WSF. How many members do we expect to join our CSA? How many seeds do we need to source? What new varieties of vegetables do we plan on growing? What can our wholesale partners expect us to grow in terms of acreage or quantity? The list goes on and on. Back in 2006 when Wayward was in its inception, I thought naively that “I will work 6 months a year, and have 6 months off” if I become a market gardener. Little did I understand the rigors of committing oneself to a trade like farming?! We make incremental progress each season with a dogged effort to become more professional in this pursuit of organic farming.

This season WSF is pleased with the return of our most recent addition to the team, Ms. Kristy Gerlich. Hailing from New Jersey, Kristy has worked on many organic farms here in Ohio and the East Coast. In her second year here at WSF, she will be particularly focused on our salad production and vegetable seedling succession. Her presence will provide additional management focus to our operation.

After many conversations with members this fall we have decided to focus our efforts for 2013 on usability and diversity in the CSA this season. We will increase production of the beloved Shishito pepper from Japan. I am also focused on Celery Root for next fall; hopefully we can grow some large ones that could be thinly sliced for raw salads. We are also going to increase our paste tomato field for this season with a tentative U-Pick date of September 1st. We grow an excellent variety named Marianna. It has a determinate fruit set and all of its fruit will ripen in a short period of time. Our idea is to schedule U-Pick around this tomato in hopes of a large harvest for the members. Paste tomatoes have excellent shelf life and are good for countless dishes in the kitchen. There should also be some hot peppers at that time of the season for salsa preparation.

We had a really successful 2012 season with sweet potatoes, winter squash, and of course potatoes. They will continue to be a staple of our late summer and fall shares. They provide utility and storage within the share that can allow a family to consume more perishable items first. It is our belief that the 2013 growing season will be cooler overall and we will be able to produce more greens, onions, and of course carrots during the hot weather period. Last season was daunting, and I like to tell folks that 2012 was a “good, bad year.” Our facility at Oakvale has been wonderful. During those 103F days, we had a cool 72F in the building. We didn’t even run the AC. It is a concrete block building and maintains a cool temperature when we are washing vegetables. I literally sang its praises all season long. Long term we might be able to extend the CSA season to 30 weeks due to our increased storage capacity and heated building. Christmas CSA shares anyone?

At lot has been discussed recently in the media about the Stanford study regarding the nutrition levels of Certified Organic to conventional produce. They concluded in the study that organic foods did not have higher nutritional value than their conventional counterparts, but did have significantly lower levels of chemical and residues. I believe the study is flawed in one important way. It doesn’t have anything to say about LOCAL Certified Organic food sourced very close to home that was picked within 24 hours of delivery. I thought to myself when reading the punditry from The New York Times to Mother Jones, “This isn’t a black mark on organic, it is a positive sign for local, sustainable, and organic.” In the 2012 season here at WSF, we didn’t spray a single drop of Certified Organic pesticide, truly making our produce “chemical free.” We are here every day to answer your questions on our farming practices and strive for a “relationship based food source for you and your family.” Many of our members say the CSA is making a positive impact on their children’s consumption of fruit and vegetables. The sustainable farm movement should, and hopefully will continue to pave the way for a more nutritious and hopefully tasty future. As always it is a pleasure to grow for and know our members. I look forward to seeing you all soon at the farm or market…

But before I go, a quick reminder of our annual CSA Open House at House Wine in Worthington tomorrow. The event is open to everyone. Whether you’re a current member of the Wayward family, a CSA newcomer or just simply curious about local farming, please join us!

The event will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, January 29th from 6-8pm at House Wine. For those who wish to enjoy a drink, House Wine will offer $5 wine pours and $4 craft beers until 7pm. Reservations are not required. Also, there will be plenty of free parking. For more information, including directions, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com or visit www.housewine.biz.

Be well,

Farmer Adam (Welly), Wayward Seed Farm

Happy New Year

Happy New Year friends and family of Wayward Seed!

While some consider January a slow time of year, we’re plenty busy here at Wayward Seed! Early last year we hosted an event at House Wine in Worthington and it was such a rousing success that we’re back to do it again.

The event is open to everyone. Whether you’re a current member of the Wayward family, a CSA newcomer or just simply curious about local farming, please join us! (And bring your friends!)

The event will be held Tuesday, January 29th from 6-8pm at House Wine in Worthington. For those who wish to enjoy a drink, House Wine will offer $5 wine pours and $4 craft beers until 7pm. Reservations are not required. Also, there will be plenty of free parking. For more information, including directions, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com or visit www.housewine.biz. In the meantime, let us remind you to reserve your share today!

The 2013 CSA will remain the same. Each week you will receive approximately 9-11 items in your share, with roughly 7-8 vegetables and 2-3 fruits. New in 2013, we will offer a vegetable only share, including approximately 7-9 vegetables for $650. The shares will last from mid-June until early December, and we will continue to offer supplements to your share.

We have many bi-weekly and half share members who will be looking for partners again in 2013, and we are happy to help make those connections.

Visit the store and process your order at http://waywardseed.csaware.com/store/ today. You are welcome to select supplements now, or wait until the start of the season. Also, you are able to select a delivery location; however, they will not be confirmed until the spring. And lastly, if you are splitting a share, we will still need to process your payment manually. Please email us at farm@waywardseed.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We believe the checkout process is a simple one, but if you have any questions or suggestions please contact us.

Here’s to 2013!

Recipes: Week of November 5th

A Well Fed Seed: Week of November 5th