The month of December is just about over, can you believe it? The weather has continued to be mild and as such, we have continued to work outside to prepare for the 2019 growing season. I’ll share a few photos of some of the work that got done and one of a work in progress.
Blackberries before clean up
Blackberries after being cleaned and mulched
New strawberry hoop house being constructed
We are really excited about the planned expansion of our strawberry beds. We have decided to go with an ever bearer called Mara Des Bois.
As hinted by the name, this strawberry is a French bred variety. It is said to be one of the best flavored ever bearing strawberry that is currently being offered. We hope that it lives up to it’s reputation!
Yesterday we got a little break from the cold weather. It was nearly 60⁰! If you can believe it, we are still trying to winterize the farm. The break in weather allowed us to get some things done comfortably.
Today is the first official day of Nation Farmers Union’s (free online) Growing for the Future Conference:
There’s still time to register if you would like to attend. I’m going to head on over to the conference now to check out all the great resources.
Please forgive me for not updating the site very often this past season. We got very busy and just couldn’t seem to make time. I really dislike using that excuse because I believe that people make time for what they want to make time for (in general) and if I had made updating the site a priority, I probably could have found the time to make updates. All that said, I am going to try to make it a priority to update the site from now on!
First, a recap from the 2018 growing season. From a growing perspective, things went very well. Here are a few pictures of the produce, flowers and other home produced products that we offered:
We also put the finishing touches on “The Narrow Way Farm Produce Trailer” and was able to take it to several farmers markets towards the end of the season.
Selling produce at “This Old Farmers Market” located in Beavercreek, OhioThe Produce Trailer currently has two sides. Plans are in the works for configuring the back side as well.
Now for a brief report on the Farmer’s and Community Markets that we attended.
Our main focus was the Trotwood Community Market (TCM) because we were it’s only produce providers and it is located in what it known as a “food desert”. I really liked attending the TCM. We had some very friendly regular customers as well as one time visitors. They were often extremely encouraging, complimenting us on our produce, the trailer, our dedication to the farm and community, as well as our children who help with the market. Unfortunately, community attendance wasn’t what it needed to be to justify the continuance of the market, so it was discontinued. While it pains me to think that we won’t be a part of the TCM next year, because we absolutely love that community, we are considering our options and will need to make a decision within the next couple of months.
The Dayton VA Farmers Market , in it’s second season, is a vibrant market. From the vendors to the customers, everyone is friendly and supportive. We only attended this market for the first three weeks that it was held. Extra farm projects and a low profit margin caused us to decide that our time would be more appropriately spent working on farm improvements. We may still apply to be part of this market for the 2019 season.
This was our first year attending the Northmont Community Market (NCM). We attended the first Sunday of each month from July through September. With lots of superb, varied vendors, this market is not one to miss, especially if you are a customer. They also have an awesome market manager, Tasha Jenkins, of Tasha’s Common Scents. There are only two reasons why we are not considering rejoining NCM. 1. It is our opinion that there are already enough produce vendors. 2. We have a new Sunday market that we plan to attend weekly for the 2019 season.
That brings me to the other new market that we attended last year, This Old Farmers Market, located in Beavercreek. This quaint little market has it all, classy (but down to earth) vendors, wonderful repeat customers, and exceptional market managers/marketers. This has to be the best small market that I have ever been to as a vendor or a customer. We attended this market every other Sunday from mid July until early September, however we were offered a weekly spot for the 2018 season, which we plan to accept. We are excited for the opportunity to join them full time.
Other than the markets listed above, we also set up a small stand, short term, outside of Whole Body Fitness. While I haven’t actually exercised at the center (I workout on the farm lol), I have toured the facility and I have to say that it is top notch. Very clean. Erika, one of the owners, makes sure of that! We initially met her when she contacted us during the summer of 2017. She was looking for various health related speakers to speak at her center. We agreed to do a small presentation and had a wonderful time. She seems so dedicated, caring, and excited to help her clients. Late in the growing season (2018), we contacted her and offered to set up outside of her center and she gladly accepted, happy to have fresh (chemical free) produce to offer her clients. We have not yet made a decision about setting up there again next year.
One final note: at this point I hope to update this site no less than once a week, more than that if possible. Okay, I’ll admit it, I just got nervous as I typed that (given my history), but I really want to make updating a priority! Please stay tuned for the latest… This Week on the Farm.
Last week we were able to get a lot done around the farm. Among many other things, two new raised beds were prepared (and planted this morning!) and we began the task of mulching some of our tomato and sweet pepper plants.
Tomorrow is the first day of the Dayton VA Farmers Market! We are planning (Most High willing) to bring:
Shalom Family, Friends, and Neighbors! We expected to start our weekly updates earlier in the season, however with several changes around the farm and a very busy early spring we are later than we would have hoped in resuming the weekly updates! Well, I guess you all know the old saying, “Better late than never”! We are happy to be back (even if it’s later than we would have hoped for) and are looking forward to the blessings that this season will bring! Shalom!
This Week on the Farm:
After putting the finishing touches on our new and improved farm stand, we had our official “soft” opening today, June 1, 2018!
You can find us at:
The Narrow Way Farm Stand
3622 Johnsville Brookville Road
Brookville, Ohio 45309
2018 (General) Market Hours: Monday – Friday from 10am until 7pm
Please enter the property via the gravel driveway right in front of the stand and exit on the paved black top. Thanks!
We are currently selling:
Mixed Romaine Lettuce
Collard Greens
Broccoli Greens
Lacinato Kale
White Russian Kale
White Turnips
Apple mint and Pepper mint
Assorted Tomato, Sweet/Hot Pepper, and Eggplant plants
Assorted Small Gifts
Potted Annuals
We also plan, The Most High willing, to be at the Dayton VA Farmers Market located @ 4100 W. 3rd Street Dayton, OH 45428
Lastly, great news! Produce Perks has changed their match amount for EBT/SNAP card customers. Last year they matched dollar for dollar up to 10.00. This year the amount has gone up to 20.00! As members of the Produce Perks program, we can match your EBT/SNAP card purchase at The Narrow Way Farm Stand or at our stand at The Dayton VA Farmers Market. Additionally, if you would prefer to spend some (or all) of the matched amount at a later date, we can give you Produce Perks coins. The coins are not only good for purchasing produce from our stands, but they are also accepted at any other Produce Perks Member Market in Ohio! To find additional member locations, click HERE (link to Produce Perks website locations page).
We can hardly believe that summer is almost officially over. The Trotwood Community Market will set up two more weeks in it’s current location, then on September 30th, the last Market day, it will be set up at Madison Park. Here’s the PR flyer:
We expect to have the following at the Trotwood Community Market, on 9/16 and the Dayton V.A. Farmers Market, on 9/19:
The summer season is winding down nicely here in Ohio. It is unfortunate that the same can not be said for some parts of the country, namely Huston and areas effected by Hurricane Irma. The people of these regions are in our prayers.
We expect to have the following at the Trotwood Community Market, on 9/9 and the Dayton V.A. Farmers Market, on 9/12:
September 1st blew in fall like weather. I’m not complaining though, because it certainly is better than the weather that TX just got. We are praying for their recovery.
We expect to have the following at the Trotwood Community Market, on 9/2 and the Dayton V.A. Farmers Market, on 9/5:
Peach and early apple harvest season is upon us. Canned peaches in apple juice, peach preserves, peach jelly, apple jelly, apple butter, apple juice and pies are among the things that were done with the 250 pounds of fruit that we got. Although we had to buy fruit this year, we are hopeful that, within the next couple of years, we will have plenty of fruit from our own trees.
We expect to have the following at the Trotwood Community Market, on 8/26 and the Dayton V.A. Farmers Market, on 8/29:
thenarrowwayfarm.com 