(It Feels Like) February Newsletter

The Difference A Year Makes
There are a host of sayings that humans appear to be fond of that reference the change one can observe between one year and the next.  Sometimes, the saying references hope: "Wait 'til next year!"  Other sayings are meant to be comforting (especially after recognizing the prior one was difficult): "Every year is different."  And still others are meant to recognize a change for the better: "What a difference a year makes!"

March 15, 2018 at the Genuine Faux Farm

This got me to thinking.  What IS different this year and what ISN'T?  This would be enough to usually get me to do a 'dangerous pastime' post, but since we need to do a farm newsletter, you get this as the introduction.

The first obvious difference?  Consider the weather last year at this time.  We got very little for snow until late January last year.  The picture above shows our farm in mid-March.  Do you see any snow?   Nope, neither do I.  But, if you find a picture from mid to late April last year, you'll find snow.  We don't know what's going to happen in March and April this season, but I think we can already say that the year has been different from a weather perspective.

Another difference would be the attitude we have going into the season.  The farmers took a much needed break from the farm in January and that did wonders for our attitudes.  Evidence of this can be seen on this very blog if you are willing to check out the past few months here.

One item that remains the same is the pervasive worry we have every season that we'll work hard to grow produce and raise poultry only to have someone misapply chemicals around our farm.  In case some of you were wondering what happened after last year's misapplication, we can tell you that we received nothing for the crops we pulled out for food safety reasons.  In fact, it is unlikely we will find the energy or time to pursue it any further.  The process and system is stacked against the small grower of "alternative" crops in this state.

Another item that remains the same is the sheer volume of things on our 'to do' lists at the farm coupled with a good bit of 'I don't wanna' that often occurs when we are on the cusp of the season getting started.  Yes, the attitude is better, the energy is better and the outlook is generally better.  Yes, we're getting things done.  But, we're not quite willing to dive all of the way in just yet.  It's not entirely unlike the feeling everyone got when they were kids and there were only two more weeks of Summer before school started.  There's some excitement and anticipation for the new year, of course.  But, there's also a lot of the - 'but I was really getting into this Summer thing, why does it have to end?'

Well, ready or not - here it comes.  A different year.

Weather Wythards
We tried to psych-out Mother Nature in the last newsletter by trying to imply that she had already outdone herself with some truly outrageous weather in January.  She didn't need to do more to exceed 2018's silliness.  She laughed at us and gave us this past February.

February's Report

High Temp: 43
Low Temp: -16
Lowest Windchill: -53
Rain: 0.29"
Wind: 43 mph from West

Snow: somewhere between 28" and 36"

Year Report

High Temp: 49
Low Temp: -29
Lowest Windchill: -53
Rain: 0.57"
Wind: 43 mph from West
Barometer Range: 29.44 - 30.51
Snow: somewhere around 4 feet total.

You may notice that we only give snow estimates.  We can only give estimates when we get the wind we get.  It's just the way it is.  However, our measurements are largely corroborated by surrounding measurements.  It just so happens that the Waterloo, IA area set more records for precipitation.  If you take the link, you'll notice this was the snowiest winter (Dec-Feb) on record for Waterloo and the 3rd wettest.  It is particularly striking to notice the top 5 snowfall numbers are all year 2007 and after. 

Veggie Variety of the Month - Alma Papricka Pepper

We're going to stick with a warm weather crop again this month in hopes that it will help us all feel a little bit better about the 'slightly chilly' temperatures we've been experiencing of late. 

We have been growing the Alma Papricka Pepper since 2007 and see no reason to stop at any point in the future.  These plants are smaller than most pepper plants and they very much prefer a dry year as opposed to a wet year.  They do seem to appreciate being in a high tunnel environment for that reason.  You can harvest Alma's when they get the warm yellow color or wait until they turn red (or anywhere in between).  They will change color off the plant.  These have a sweet papricka taste that go well with fish, chicken and cheese.  We like putting them on nachos in August when the first batch of these treats are ready to harvest.

Song of the Month

Here's a song that has some lyrics I've been enjoying hearing for the past couple of months because we all could be so much more than what we are.  Alter Bridge's Before Tomorrow Comes.

Farm News and Announcements 
If you have been staying up with our blog posts or if you follow us on Facebook, you are already aware that Tammy and I held our own "GFF Retreat" about a week ago with the intent of really getting into the nitty gritty of what our farm is going to be this year.  Every year is a pivotal year in some fashion, but this year has an even greater significance.  We are working to create a set of measurable goals for this season that will be the baseline for deciding whether or not the Genuine Faux Farm will continue after this season.

First and foremost - we intend to succeed.  If our statements here have you worried, rest assured that we are not looking for excuses to move on to something else.  If that was how we felt about it, we would simply announce right now that we were done and proceed to the next thing.  What we are doing is trying to move some of the knee-jerk feelings that are inevitable during a growing season.  We're going to get tired, upset and worried.  It's part of the package.  We're also going to have moments where we're going to feel pleased and proud of what we accomplish.  We'll hear some positive comments and some negative ones.  We can't let the feelings of the moment dictate our future direction in isolation.  That's why we're trying to do some sound goal-setting.

Solar energy at the farm?  Adding solar power to the farm has been on our minds since even before the farm existed.  We have gone down this investigative path before and come to a screeching halt each time.  Maybe this time we can figure out the funding and the process? 

Reducing weeding time?  Gardeners everywhere will admit that weeding is actually a therapeutic occupation.  Growers everywhere will tell you that there is a limit to how much therapy is actually healthy.  Every year we make adjustments to our system in hopes that we can keep the labor manageable for the crops we grow.  After a couple of experiments last year, we feel that there has been enough advancement in paper mulch products that we're going to put it in a much more prominent place in 2019.  Many growers rely on plastic mulch and we just cannot see that as being the best solution for us as stewards of the land.  We are lucky that we do not have to rely entirely on our farm for income.  Because of this, Tammy and I can try things that would be difficult for other farms to do.  If we can succeed, perhaps we can encourage other farms to follow suit?

How do we deal with all of the water?  We have had a long-standing battle with heavy rains on this farm and it is fairly well chronicled on our blog.  Last Fall made most of our prior experiences pale by comparison.  Remember, we have some experience now, so it is actually much harder for us to be completely devastated by this sort of weather than it was in 2010 (for example).  And yet, 2018 chewed us up and spit us out.

Simply put, we have to put more measures in place to help us deal with wet weather extremes.  We suspect there is very little that can be done if we get an exact copy of September 2018, but are certainly taking that as a learning experience and we'll see if we can model a solution that helps us be more resilient in 2019.

Flowers - More Flowers:  Yep, I said that in the February newsletter to.  It's still our blog, so I can repeat myself.  Ha!

Thank you for reading our newsletter.  Stay tuned on the blog, our website and email during the next two months as we unveil our 2019 season.

Rob and Tammy
the Genuine Faux Farm