The above shot was taken a few weeks ago, and while the snow has since thawed (for now), there is some bitingly cold weather on the way - which means it's the end of the road for our field crops, even those under cover of plastic.  And while the greenhouse will provide us with nutritious, flavorful greens in February and March, it, too is slowing down.  We've entered what Eliot Coleman calls the "Persephone months" - where daylight is too weak for photosynthesis, and even plants warmed by a greenhouse cover stop growing. 

This week, we're busy harvesting the last of our carrots, kale, cabbage, and hardy survivors of late fall weather.  Many of these crops keep well in the cellar, and we're offering you a final chance to stock up on these storage crops before we take a two month break. 

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We'd like to thank you for all your support during the 2012 growing season.  Your purchases and kind words helped inspire us during the pounding spring rains, the sweltering summer days, and the freezing fall mornings.  See you next year!

Sincerely,

Jed, Emilia, and Ray

When the snow flies, and the bitter cold bears down, kale reigns supreme.  When other, wimpier vegetables demand to be packed into a cozy root cellar lest they die of frost, kale laughs at snow and cold and scoffs at its weaker cruciferous cousins.  The weather only makes kale sweeter, as it fills its stems and foliage with sweet sap to act as antifreeze.  If you don't buy kale because you think it's bitter, try fall frosted kale before closing the book on this truly amazing vegetable.

Whether or not kale is your thing, we've also got plenty of rainbow carrots, beets, red onions, red and green cabbage, scallions, salad mix, and other hardy crops for sale this week.

Also, an important note: this is the last delivery before Thanksgiving, as we won't be taking orders next week.  So if you're looking to stock up on local veggies for the big feast day, don't miss your chance!

Click here to visit our online store.

Sincerely,

Emilia, Jed, and Ray

Last week, we pulled the final tomatoes from our greenhouse and planted it with winter salad mix.  This was the final summer crop left in our fields.  But we are not sad, nor do we have  any time for nostalgia.  We're too busy filling our cooler and root cellar with sweet-as-can-be kale, carrots, beets, cabbage, and other fall goodies. 

Our son Ray has taken to gnawing on the stems of collard greens and kale in the field as we pick.  At first, we were puzzled, but then we followed his lead, and discovered to our delight that the crops were wonderfully sweet and crisp.

Click here to visit our online farmstand.

Sincerely,

Jed, Emilia, and Ray

The storm this week provides us with a reminder that it's time to stock our root cellars and pantries with the fall's bounty before inclement weather drives us all inside.  That way, we can happily prepare soups and other tasty cold season meals while the wind whistles and the rain or snow comes down - without having to venture to the grocery store. 

So . . . time to stock up on carrots, beets, cabbage, kale, and other fall goodies from Ararat Farms, which we've got aplenty!

Click here to visit our online store.

Sincerely,

Emilia, Jed, and Ray

The heavy frosts that hit inland growers hard just barely skimmed the top of our hillside fields, and our crops are still going strong.  Frost brings out the best flavors of fall in our opinion, as the kale, collards, beets, and carrots become sweet.  We've also got colored peppers, red onions, garlic, and all sorts of other veggies to fill your shopping bags this week.

Click here to visit our online farmstand.

Sincerely,

Jed, Emilia, and Ray

• Healthy crops come from healthy soil.  A healthy soil – one that’s mineralogically balanced and biologically alive – naturally produces crops with a high nutrient density.  We use practices that conserve and enhance our soil, such cover cropping, heavy layers of mulch to conserve moisture and nutrients, and minimal tillage.
• Certified organic production.  We are certified organic by the Maine Farmers and Gardeners Association.   This means we use no artificially produce fertilizers or pesticides in our production, and it affirms our commitment to healthy soil.
• A focus on nutrient density.  As each crop nears readiness, we test it for flavor and nutrient density.  It is our goal to meet or exceed USDA standards for nutrient density every time.
• Good Agricultural Practice certified.  We are committed to ensuring that our products are grown and handled in a way that is hygienic and traceable.  We are certified as using “Good Agricultural Practices” (GAP) by the USDA to provide a gurantee of food safety and traceability for our customers.
• State of the art harvesting and storage.  We harvest, rinse, and store our crops in such a way as to ensure that they are as fresh and clean as possible when they reach our customers.
• Renewable energy.  Where possible, we use renewable sources to meet our energy needs.  For instance, our greenhouse is heated with a wood boiler, which we feed with firewood sustainably harvested from our woodlot.

With potential frost on the horizon, it is time to bid adieu to the summer crops.  Before we all snuggle in to a pantry full of beets, cabbage, carrots, et. al., we are offering one final chance to taste the sweet crunch of colored peppers.  This week, we've got sweet carmen and golden bell peppers, as well as cauliflower, mixed saladette tomatoes, rainbow carrots, broccolini, and much more.

Click here to visit our online store.

Sincerely,

Jed, Emilia, and Ray