Our Deer Friend

Yes, there he is folks, the animal to complete our farm. Or, not. This week I have spent some intimate time out in the field, trying to ressurect our hoophouse. During the bitterly cold winds, and minus degree temperatures, I never saw our little friend. But when the weather is a little warmer, he struts out looking for food.

Amy and I are a little worried about our deer friend messing with or nibbling at our crops, but boy doesn't he look cute? Yes, cute enough... we are looking into the price of deer fencing.

Farm Job Opportunity in East Abbotsford

Our friends from the Arkeysteyn-Vogler Family Farm in Abbotsford are hiring...

Organic farm seeks: Assistant Field Manager

Arkesteyn-Vogler Family Farm

5115 Tolmie Road Abbotsford

Send resume to cfvogler@hotmail.com

Farm/Job description: Arkesteyn-Vogler Family Farm is an organic vegetable farm in east Abbotsford. We produce a wide array of vegetable products for sale at farmers markets and through a weekly harvest box program. The farm is in it’s second year of production therefore there are many building blocks still being put into place. This will give the applicant first hand experience in the creation of a new farm enterprise. The successful candidate will be the lead hand for the farm and will assist the owners in many aspects of the farm operation. The successful candidate will take part in the supervision and instruction of part time employees and volunteers working on the farm. Flexibility as to work hours and the ability to work Saturdays is important as farm tasks are often dictated by the weather.

Responsibilities:

• All manner of field work: planting, weeding, trellising, irrigating etc.
• Harvesting washing and packaging crops
• Supervising and working alongside part-time employees and volunteers
• Vending at a farmers market at least one day a week (possibly Saturdays)
• Constructing farm infrastructure such as greenhouses and tool sheds.

Qualifications/Assets:

• Drivers licence and a car to get to and from the farm
• A background in agronomy or a related biological science
• Experience working on a farm or in a similar physical outdoor environment
• Sales and marketing experience
• Experience in a supervisory or management role
• Excellent communication skills and conflict management
• General construction skills are a big asset.

Remuneration

Contract position: $12.50/hr; 40 hours a week averaged over a month. Plus lots of delicious veggies.

Contract Term April 15^th to October 30^th.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Andrew Arkesteyn-Vogler at cfvogler@hotmail.com by midnight of March 15^th .

Reading week is...

good for farmwork. Not so much for reading. 

The Seeds of 2011

In a past life I had a bit of a shopping habit (clothes/shoes mostly). This has undoubtedly translated over to seed selection now that I am farming. Seed orders have been arriving over the last 2 weeks and I have been excitedly inventorying, alphabetizing and carefully dating all of our new seeds. We've built up quite a collection over the past few years, and although Amanda was a bit of a stickler when it comes to crops that didn't make much money last year ;) ....we still have an overwhelming variety to plant from.

Off the top of my head the crops that got dropped this year were okra, popcorn, turnips (yes some of you will be happy about that!) and field cucumbers. They just didn't do much for us...

As for new crops, we hope to be serving up sweet potatoes, potatoes, edamame, our own signature salad blend, and some new herbs and flowers. Along with the new stuff, over 100 different varieties of vegetables and herbs that we have come to love will be planted out in the next few months.

It all started this week with the sowing of asparagus, lemongrass, celery, leeks, kale and parsley. Up next, onions and fennel.

The farm has migrated into my apartment for the time being. This, and Amanda's balcony, are the seed starting stations until we get the hoophouse set up (note the pretty, living, valentines flowers!)

Things change as we get older. For one thing...I have an ever increasing amount of grey hair to contend with (maybe or maybe not a bad thing). And in this case an affinity for a closet bursting with fancy clothes has translated into an ever increasing collection of of unique vegetable seeds (all in all, a positive change!) 

CSA Shares Now Available!

2011 CSA shares for new customers are now available! For more information, check out our previous blogpost on program details.

For more information or to sign up, send an email to skeeterfarm (at) gmail.com.

Alright winter, be over already so we can start growing!