Agropraxis Farm

Working with nature is a cornerstone of biological/ecological farming. At times we want to use the calendar to help us determine the time for sowing and transplanting. This year is an example of the flexibility and patience needed from a farmer to mesh an early season crop plan with natures’ whimsy. The calendar says one thing and the world on the farm is not in sync with that printed paper guide.

Typically early, plants are hardening off and would go in the ground soon. When the Stella Natura calendar urges action, like transplanting or direct seeding , the chore is done.  With the extended late winter cold the ground remains unworkable.  The calendar recommendations seem absurd. So the chores are delayed.  Nature has no calendar, just the unfolding of cycles that can wobble and deviate from the expected. Eventually the season will arrive. The plants will be moved to their prepared spot in the field and we’ll all wait to see what nature offers next. Flexibility, patience and more “experience” in dealing with nature…

On Saturday my darling wife and I travelled the back roads of south west Michigan to attend a meeting of Volunteers at Fenn Valley Winery,  http://www.fennvalley.com/ .  We are a part of a group of Food and Wine enthusiasts that are trained and volunteer to help this outstanding Michigan Vineyard and Winery put on events and activities for its guests. It’s always good to be among friends and fellow farmers  and to share food and wine! Last year was a great one for wine grapes and we were introduced to some of the new wines. Fenn Valley has some great events planned for the coming year and I hope you will consider attending those that may appeal to you.

Our wanderings through this part of our state took us through Decatur, MI  to stop at Southern Michigan Seed., http://www.smsseed.com/. Through a farm friend I found this great family operated business. They provide cover crop, pasture and vegetable seeds. I picked up untreated cover crops for the market gardens at Tillers International. I added some open pollinated, untreated sweetcorn  seed  they offer. Normally this business would be busy with farmers and gardeners but was quiet. We had a moment to greet and chat. Always nice to do when weather changes the way folks go about their activities.

Driving through the fruit and blueberry portions of the region showed us that snow lingers and the typical early spring greening is still a ways off.  Patience is the lesson from nature…

Farmer Pete