W.W.O.O.F. Week 4

Monday, 22 June: Colin dropped me off at the farm on Monday afternoon, where our work day was short-lived due to an oncoming storm. The storm made for cozy reading weather and I finished The Stand that afternoon. However, the storm took a turn for the worst that evening, yielding a tornado warning throughout the county. The tornado went just north of us and the warning was demoted to a watch for the remainder of the night.

Tuesday, 23 June: It rained in the early hours of the morning, but the wind helped dry it enough to work in the field. After a long day of weed-pulling, cooking dinner and watering the sprouts, I was exhausted and ready for bed early.

Wednesday, 24 June: Dominique and I had to work my two least favorite plants to weed: the strawberries and the asparagus, where the weeds are too small or too large to use the hoe on and they all have to be picked by hand. Not to mention, the mosquitoes were eating me alive. On the bright side, Colin’s mom gave me some miraculous after-bite cream that works extremely well. After lunch, I helped Pam prepare for the market by making labels, taking out the trash, washing sprouting trays and going over what we need to bring.

Thursday, 25 June: For the second week in a row, Jason and I got up bright and early to manage the London market. Our products this week included sprouts, beans, hummus, cilantro, herbs, lettuce, Asian greens, pesto and Thai chili. Our sales were few, but I had a great time. Soon after we got back to the farm, Colin picked me up for an evening of relaxing. We played card games, watched television and we both booked a few trips. He will be coming on 23 December and returning on 31 December. I’m excited to spend time with him in Arizona for the first time in a while and take him to California to meet my extended family, as well.

Friday, 26 June: We all pitched in to prepare for the weekend markets. I watered and packaged the sprouts, prepared the spinach, made labels, washed the coolers and more. This my first and only week accompanying Pam to the Stratford markets, so along with my farm tasks, I also packed my bags for the weekend and we left in the early evening. Pam’s mom lives in a large (and somewhat confusing) house right on the Avon River about a mile from the town center. I took advantage of the nice weather that evening and walked into town to explore. I went to a pizza place, where there was a Friday night special of half off custom pizzas and $5 pints. After walking around a little bit more, I returned to the house to prepare for the market in the morning.

Saturday, 27 June: The forecast called for rain and strong winds all day Saturday, so Pam and I prepared for the worst. Our products this week included herbs, pesto, hummus, salad, spinach, kale, Asian greens, sprouts, Thai chili and the debut of Pam’s latest invention: pine syrup. Thankfully, the rain held off until half an hour before the market ended. Soon after, foot traffic decreased dramatically and most of the vendors, including ourselves, packed up and left early. When we got home, I counted the money and despite the weather, it was our most profitable market this season. Although it was raining, I went to a brewery and walked around the town a bit more before Colin picked me up for the weekend.

I now have less than a week left of W.W.O.O.F. and time continues to fly by, perhaps a little too quickly. I enjoy spending time with everyone on the farm, participating in the markets and I don’t even mind the work that much, with the exception of some weeding.