The Time Between

This morning, the outside thermometer read 12 degrees.

But it was a balmy 61 degrees in the greenhouse, with these little shoots of hope looking happy and healthy in the morning sun. Reminders that these fields will be brimming with life. Soon. Sometime soon.

Fitting then that when I came back into the house, The Writer's Almanac on NPR was on and Garrison Keillor was reading "Here in the Time Between" by Jack Ridl.

Here's a snippet:

Here in the time between snow
and the bud of the rhododendron,
we watch the robins, look into

the gray, and narrow our view
to the patches of wild grasses
coming green. The pile of ashes

in the fireplace, haphazard sticks
on the paths and gardens, leaves
tangled in the ivy and periwinkle

lie in wait against our will. This
drawing near of renewal, of stems
and blossoms, the hesitant return

of the anarchy of mud and seed
says not yet to the blood's crawl...





If you're in Helena, Great Falls, Choteau, Dutton, Power or Fairfield, sign up today to get fresh, local veggies delivered every week with our Vegetable CSA Farm Share program. Deadline for signups is April 1.

Old-fashioned High Tunnel Raising

Hey folks, join us for an old-fashioned high tunnel raising, March 8, 9, and 10! RSVP if this sort of adventure is up your alley!

Honoring the Heritage of Food

We have had so many people and organizations help us out along the way these past 4 years, and in so many different ways. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is one such organization.

Honoring the Heritage of Food

The 2012 Season (Year 4 of ?)

Spring Coulee Creek

As we wrap up our 4th year at Prairie Heritage Farm, it's time to reflect, even though it doesn't seem like we've had a chance to catch our breath yet.

Probably the biggest news is, we're expecting number two May 14th. We're going to keep it a surprise, but Willa, who is now 2 years old, insists it will be a baby sister named "Pizza."

Courtney continues to work part-time and both she and I taught online classes for a university. In a little over a week, I will be spending time at our state capital working with the legislature (no, not as a venerable public servant, but as an evil capital "L" Lobbyist for a farm organization). It will be challenging in a lot of ways, but the work pays well, and unfortunately financial matters guide our decisions more often than not. At least the work will be interesting (to say the least) and it's working for an organization that I'm a member of and believe in.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

To all our family, pals, and friends yet to meet, merry Christmas and happy holidays!