As of late December: Yes, summer is long gone up here in the Tarryalls and winter-- with temps down to -30 has been around for a while. Before we move into the new year, there is time to reflect on summer 2009. We did have a productive season-- thanks in part to bountiful moisture, no hail, pleasant temperatures and very few unwanted bugs and other pests. All was not perfect (we did have a hard frost on August 8), but it was darned near......

Many thanks to our various volunteers, loyal customers, supporters, the Woodland Park Farmers Market, Mountain Mama Natural Foods, Sammy's Organics, Park County and Ed Ragain who took over the helm of our property just over a year ago.

We had a bunch of interested visitors throughout the season as we continue working to educate ourselves and everyone around about just how productive growing at high altitude can be. We also were able to contribute a fair amount of high quality produce to the Marian House soup kitchen and the Community Cupboard of Woodland Park.

We have new and more ideas already rolling around in our heads as we contemplate 2010-- so stay tuned..........

We are pleased to now be Certified Naturally Grown. CNG (www.naturallygrown.org) is a grassroots and farmer run alternative to Organic certification. Check out the website to see what it's all about.

The use of cover crops and rotating the various species of plants in each given section of the farm are a couple of the tools we use to improve the quality and yield of production while improving soil health and balance. These techniques help in a variety of areas including pest and weed management. At the farm you'll notice big areas of plants including oats, buckwheat, rye, vetch and peas which all serve as cover crops. Ultimately they help in erosion control, add organic materials, provide a diversion for some of our less than friendly insects, and some help restore nitrogen into the soil among many other things. The farm is divided into 8 sections with an organized crop rotation from section to section each year. Potatoes are followed each year by a cover crop, the brassica family (kale, orach, mustard, turnips, etc) follow carrots, lettuce follows brassica, potatoes follow brassica, etc.