These hot days in early August (like, over 100 degrees F) can wear us down a bit in the middle of the day. But, it’s a good pause to reflect on what we’ve been up to at Mendocino Organics. Shuffling between the home ranch overlooking Redwood Valley, three properties we’re leasing in Potter Valley, and one that we are leasing from the City of Ukiah is a lot to juggle. The different enterprises that we strive to weave together for a holistic farm organism are a tricky balancing act. Yet, somehow or another, we’re getting things done.
Vegetable harvest, primarily for the local CSA, is bountiful this time of year. We are getting our first slicer tomatoes in this week, summer squash is abundant, beets, and other spring crops like cabbage and cauliflower are still taking off.
Basil is so abundant that we are making a lot of pesto.
We are really starting to reap the fruit from trees planted three winters ago. Plums and peaches are soooo prime right now. The cherries were also wonderful – both sweet and sour!
A recent wonderful breakthrough for us was the availability of water (free!) from the City of Ukiah. Shall we grow alfalfa? More grains will come in the future…
We’re raising and selling more Berkshire pork – to local caterers, a little bit of local retail, our RSA restaurant – Bar Agricole, and a new account in Berkeley – The Local Butcher Shop.
And our grass, aka pasture and hay, is doing rather well. The sheep are happy, and we’re getting more comfortable tending flood waters, growing forage, and cutting hay.
Despite the hard work and heat, everyone is satisfied at the end of the day!
