Focusing on Success

I realize that I go through an analysis-phase every season. It has something to do with September and the start of school for so many people. I think.

Also, there is enough of the season completed that it makes sense to evaluate while things are still fresh in our minds. Again, I say this every year - often in newsletters...and now, blog posts.

And, while it has been a difficult season, it helps our attitude to look at some of the successes we've had this year.

• Growing Black Krim tomatoes. These have to be some of the best tasting tomatoes we grow. And, over the last few years, CSA members and farmers' market customers have become fans. The problem? Tomatoes in this class are notoriously difficult to keep from going bad before you get them to the customer. Also, the production season of 'marketable' tomatoes is shorter than many other types. So, we tried a couple of things this year and we are seeing success. Black Krim has produced through the entire peak period (Aug 17 to present) this year. The same number of plants have doubled 2008's record production and tripled last year's mark. Part of the strategy - quickly pulling any bad fruit from the plants to prevent spread of any fruit disease. Another strategy is pulling them on the 'front edge' of ripe. Waiting for them to become 'fully ripe' (soft with deep color) only asks for splits and failure to travel. And, happily, they rapidly reach full color in 24-36 hours off the vine and there is no appreciable taste difference. The problem is that this is a developed skill (to recognize the correct stage to pick) that I cannot quite explain. So, it is a task that can not be delegated. It's a good thing I like the task then!
• Finding better timing on our last summer squash and zucchini planting. (see below post)
• Weekly emails to CSA members. While we may have missed (see this week's bounced email for Thursday), we've found the weekly email to be a good way to disseminate information and remind everyone of the impending pickup for the week. We've found that 'attendance' (if you can call it that) has been better than last year. And, special situations have been handled much more easily from our perspective. In prior years, we admit to having fallen back on a more generic reminder and/or have completely forgotten to send them out. Part of it is a function of our internet connection (slow) and the other part is a function of the amount of time spent in the office (very little) during the summer and fall. But, it is clearly an important thing to do - so we'll do our best to stick with it!
• Improving mechanical skills. NOTE: we are not claiming expertise. "Improving" can mean something as small as changing the oil on a tractor. But, the reality is - we are getting better at maintenance, making repairs and using the chewing gum and baling wire fixes and modifications often necessary to keep things going on the farm. In prior years, we would often shy away from these tasks. They are still not the first thing either of us wants to do - but it isn't as scary as it once was. Last year's move to two JD lawn tractors of the same model is a key to this. Consistency is helpful.