WEEKLY UPDATES FROM THE FARM

This past week marked another spin around the sun for me, and with each passing year, I'm reminded of the passion project that has grown into our beloved farm box subscription program. It's incredible to think back to where it all began—over 13 years ago, when I volunteered to help set this up. Back then, we had just 40 customers, and John had us packing the boxes inside of our fridge! We've come a long way since those early days.

I hear whispers of school starting and feel the days getting shorter, but I’m still hanging on to every last bit of summer. There’s just something about the warm, sunny days and all the fresh, vibrant produce that makes me want to stretch this season out as long as possible. Luckily, we get to enjoy a little extra summer magic. Our growing season doesn’t quit when the calendar says it should—tomatoes stick around until December! So, while fall feels like it's peeking around the corner, I’m not saying goodbye to summer just yet.

I'm excited to share a line of skincare products that aligns perfectly with our commitment to clean, natural living.I've always believed that truly clean skincare should be so pure, it’s almost edible. A local friend of a friend started making tallow-based natural skincare products using beef fat from our farm! We butcher cows for meat here, but we can't sell it due to tight federal regulations.

Our store is bursting with my favorite season's freshest produce. Sweet bi-colored corn, juicy yellow peaches, watermelon that sets the bar, and cantaloupe that reminds me of quintessential california, are ready to brighten your meals and satisfy your taste buds. If you ordered corn last week there was a picking miscommunication but it's a go this week!

Selling our produce through our CSA program and farmers markets is not just about offering fresh, local food. It represents a model of agriculture that minimizes regulatory burdens and maximizes direct connections between farmers and consumers. By supporting our CSA and farmers market stands, you help maintain a system that prioritizes sustainability and local economic health. This direct-to-consumer approach allows us to focus on what we do best—growing organic, nutrient-dense, delicious produce without the heavy hand of extensive regulation.

I always think things are going to slow down for the summer. Maybe it’s because the kids are out of school and there’s not such a structured schedule. Interestingly, the more relaxed pace of family life during the summer contrasts with the intensity of farm work as it's one of the busiest times of the year. With the longer days and warmer weather, there's a sense of urgency and excitement in the air. The crops grow rapidly and there’s always something that needs tending- whether it’s watering, weeding, harvesting, or preparing new beds for planting, the to-do list seems never-ending. It’s a time when we quite literally see the fruits of our labor as the fields burst to life with ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, sweet corn (now available in our store), and more.

Our hearts go out to anyone affected by the Lake fire that started Friday afternoon near Zaca Lake. I was in Santa Ynez this morning and saw a lot of fire trucks racing by. We are very thankful for our dedicated firefighters that help keep us safe. Although it's pretty smoky in the Santa Ynez Valley, we're continuing to harvest as usual.

Happy fourth of July holiday week. By choosing to celebrate with locally grown produce, you’re not only treating your family and friends to the freshest ingredients but also supporting local farmers and sustainable practices. Practices that give back and care about the soil and put serious practices in place to not only grow delicious vegetables, which is a byproduct, but enrich the soil with compost and crop rotation. This Fourth of July, let's celebrate our independence and our commitment to local, healthy, and sustainable food.

I hope you had a wonderful summer solstice weekend. I'm feeling a bit more settled as we've migrated to Farmhand to manage subscriptions. I hope you feel supported on your end with their team accessible via text. I've already reaped the benefits of more time to work on things that I love, like connecting directly with the community and getting more projects accomplished on the farm. While the Farmhand team is available to answer your CSA account questions, please know I'm also still just an email away for any other needs you may have. 

We’re in the full swing of summer on the farm.The animals are enjoying the longer days, and we're knee-deep in projects to get everything ready for the bustling months ahead. We’re upgrading chicken coops as we move over 150 chickens into their new home. I