Springtime = Haytime

The hayfields are beautiful and green. We plan to begin cutting this week. The only problem is a lack of water. The hayfield in this picture has only had one rain since it was fertilized this spring. I expect that we will cut about half of the expected volume. As you can see, the quality is great, but we will need to plant more summer annuals to supplement this ryegrass crop. What has otherwise been a beautiful spring now badly needs some rain. Same Problem, different crop. We are having to irrigate the strawberries to a level that I hadn't expected. Fruiting strawberries need around 1 inch of rain per week. I had planned to supplement rainfall with irrigation to achieve that 1 inch per week. However, if there is no rainfall, it takes 16,000 irrigated gallons to apply 1 inch of water to the root zone of these plants. We are having to do that basically every week. I don't intend to complain. I decided a long time ago that this email/blog would be a place where I could be honest and transparent with customers. When things are good and beautiful, I tell you that. When things are challenging and stressful, I share that as well. Thank you so much for supporting what we do and caring enough to be engaged in how your food is produced. Even when it's hard, I'm still proud to be your farmer.