We are presently taking resumes and letters of interest for a Full Time Harvest Assistant. This is a seasonal position, and we are looking for a firm commitment from an individual who can work long, hard hours in the summer heat. The job consists of co-managing the daily harvest duties from organizing the labor crews, quality control, problem solving, and marketing. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, or know of someone that fits the bill, please email us a resume and interest letter. The season usually starts around the end of May, beginning of June, and goes through July. The start and end dates are not firm, as we work around Mother Nature’s schedule, and the person we hire will be flexible on these dates. A stipend and room and board are available, as well as working with college internship programs if that is desired.
The Best Blueberries – ChicoLaura.com
Picking Has Started!
Harvest Season has finally begun! It’s been a wet, lush year up here on the ridge, and we are just now seeing some ripening berries! The fruit is plentiful, the plants are growing well, and we look forward to another bountiful harvest! We successfully dodged the frost season this year, thanks to our fairly new frost protection sprinkler system, and some fantastic neighbors who helped watched the farm and the frost alarm while we were on our recent trip to Panama.
If you would like to be notified in advance of our arrival at Farmers Markets, please fill out the form on our Contact Us page, and we’ll send out a reminder email.
Harvest Recap
We had a very successful season, with new strategies. Our foray into the world of farm interns was successful and rewarding on both sides. We have begun the process of making the long-awaited conversion to solar energy to power our irrigation pumps, and are in the planning stages to construct a permanent facility (solar-powered) for harvest activities as well as storage.
Terra Madre – Cuesa.org
Slow Food Conference in Italy!
John and Armen were invited, along with several other North State farmers and food producers, to attend as delegates, the Terra Madre 2008, Slow Food International Conference in Torino, Italy from October 22 through 27. We were thrilled to be included in the Terra Madre Network which brought together food communities, cooks, academics and youth delegates for four days to work towards increasing small-scale, traditional, and sustainable food production.
Terra Madre, an event organized by the Terra Madre Foundation, brings together food producers and workers from around the world, 153 different countries, giving them the opportunity to discuss the major themes of food production. Together they share and compare the diverse and complex issues that underlie what “high-quality food” means to them: issues of environmental resources and planetary equilibrium, and aspects of taste, worker dignity, and consumer safety.
This Terra Madre focus was on Youth. We met some amazing young people, true inspiration to those of us who have been involved with food for decades. The diverse nature of their interests in food production, nutrition, economics, education and supplies was impressive. We had the opportunity to really get to know a small number of conference attendees as we were transported back and forth each day from our hotel, shared meals, and evening libations.
The message we brought back is how important food communities are, and how vital to our local landscape. Everywhere we looked in Italy, there was evidence of gardens, small farms, vineyards, restaurants, cafés, etc. The focus of the conference was to try and figure out how all people can have access to fresh, healthy, affordable food. We were reminded of what a bountiful region we live in, and how fortunate we are to have nearly anything we desire at our fingertips, while there are many, many people around the world just trying to keep up with basic dietary needs. There is definitely food for thought.