It is nice to be finally posting good news… I just finished planting 266 Duke blueberries that I am going to construct a hoop house over. This is an very early and productive variety that we have not tried at the farm before. I am hoping that by having them undercover we will have ripe blueberries about 2-3 weeks ahead of the normal fruiting period. Let the experiment begin. 

The Lost Season

http://www.7dvt.com/2011intervale-after-irene

HI friends and family,
Thanks for all the well wishes in regards to the storm. All in all I am fine but it has been a challenging week both physically and emotionally. My home and personal health are good but the farm was hit pretty hard with chest high flooding. This marks the 6th major flood of the season! This spring we had 5 floods that wiped out 3 acres of raspberries, about an acre of strawberries and a half acre of grapes. The wet spring weather led us in to drought like conditions for the rest of the summer. With dry weather I started replanting all of the strawberries a portion of the raspberries that I lost in efforts to recover from the previous impact. Everything looked good until last Sunday when Irene hit. 6 inches of rain created swollen, bank jumping rivers which immersed any low lying areas. For those that do not know, I farm in a fertile river delta so… we were inundated. Unfortunately it looks like most of the strawberries and raspberries have been lost again but I am hoping that the blueberries will be ok with minimal long term impact. Time will tell.
There have been some positives out of this disaster. The community that I live in has been tremendous. Loyal customers have been offering to help in any way possible. Honestly the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. The other positive is that the flooding has pushed me to investigate moving to higher ground that does not flood in our shifting climate. This is exciting in that it will allow me to expand my operation through increased diversity, creativity and stability. It also means that I will be able to minimize the risk in my annual gamble of farming. I am looking to keep on growing berries but expand in to pears, plums, peaches, cherries and grapes in this new quest. I will keep you posted.Amazingly, through all of this I feel lucky to still love what I do. I know farming is crazy to most of you but I am humbled and rewarded by my daily work. I feel as though growing food for your community is one of the more important roles in society. 
Thanks again for the support. There are many others that need it more than I do. If you would like to help out with the recovery below are a list of options to help out.
Be well.
Adam

How You Can Help

• Donate to the Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund

The fund will be used by farmers to compensate for crop losses and equipment damage. To make a tax-deductible donation, please donate online by visiting www.intervale.org/support and clicking on the green “Donate Now” button.  After you choose the amount you’d like to give, you can designate your contribution to the “Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund.” Or, mail your donation to Intervale Center, 180 Intervale Road, Burlington, VT 05401. Please make your check payable to “Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund.”

• Attend a Fundraiser or Benefit Event 

Ongoing through September 16: City Market will donate 1% of sales to the Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund.   Saturday, September 10; Saturday, September 17; Saturday, September 24: Burlington Farmers’ Market silent auction will feature dozens of local and handmade goods. 50% of proceeds to benefit Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund. Wednesday, September 7 and Thursday, September 8: Three-course benefit dinners at The Kitchen Table Bistro in Richmond, VT. $45/person ($15 from each meal benefits the Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund.) SOLD OUT - please call the restaurant to be added to the waiting list.  Saturday, September 10: Burlington Ensemble benefit concert for the Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund at Champlain College. This star-studded concert will feature internationally renowned violinist Soovin Kim (Artistic Director, Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival) and include a live art auction featuring works from beloved local artists Bonnie Acker and Katharine Montstream. All money raised will go to the recovery fund. $10 suggested minimum donation per set (two sets from 6-8 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.) Thursday, September 22-Saturday, September 24: The Boycott: A Climate Comedy at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington, VT. Three special performances will benefit the Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling (802) 540-0773. Friday, September 30: Benefit concert with Lila Mae and Jeff Hahn and the Beerworth Sisters at Studio Three. Tickets are $20 at the door. Seating is very limited; reserve ahead by calling Studio Three at 802.658.6337. Doors at 7 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30. This event is BYOB - feel free to bring your own beer or food.  

Looks like Irene closed us down for the season!

This weekends blueberry pick your own hours are from 9-4 on Saturday and Sunday. We currently have six delicious varieties open to harvest. The weeks sun has made the fruit delicious!

They’re big!

Blueberry pick your own will be opening this Thursday the 14th!!! Our hours will be weekdays from 10-6 and weekends from 9-4. Come enjoy the bounty

The first blueberries of the season today at Burlington Farmers Market!

Almost here!