Triage

Recovering from the unexpected

Bruised and battered. Sunrise highlights new growth in fall lettuces, showing their potential to regain what was lost.

The word triage has of mind for the last week. Assessing damage, organizing tasks based on importance, stopping the bleeding. I have been reading Ernest Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms, a story based on Hemingway’s time working as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross during World War 1.

There is a scene early in the book when the main character gets hit by an explosion. The protagonist is surrounded by chaos and unable to remove himself from the situation. Powerless to the outcome of war until eventually being hauled off the battlefield. Watching that storm build last week had a similar feeling and our field looks like it went to battle.

As the weather clears, we are assessing damage and evaluating how to proceed. We start by removing as much broken crops as possible, filling bins with smashed peppers and tomatoes.

The hardest part of this process has been letting employees go early for the season. These Folks had poured time and energy into a fall harvest that will look markedly different. It makes me realize how far we are from a resilient business. Farm Store hours will also be cut to a few days a week. I am not proud of this but feel like it is the best decision for the business.

On a more positive note I have been blown away by our community showing up for the farm. I don’t generally ask for help, but have let myself accept help during this process. 

Restaurants like Little, Bistro Nautile, The Regional, and Little Bird Bakeshop have all purchased food that would otherwise have been composted. Vindeket Foods has also helped distribute hundreds of the remaining pounds. So many Folks have ordered hats to support from a far. 

I want to give a special shout out to the Fox Den for not only purchasing beat up produce, but also donating a round of coffee to the Farm Store. 

I owe another huge thank you to Lehi Ranch who donated 100 pounds of grass-fed ground beef to our CSA members and the Farm Store. Community support like this shows that while our business lacks in resilience, we have role models around. I look forward to the day when we can pay back these gifts with more giving.

We have felt compassion of our customers, business partners, farmers, and readers throughout the week. Thank you all. 

It takes a village and I am so grateful to live in one that shows up not only for the good times, but the hard ones as well. While our season will look different, I know we will overcome these hurdles to be more equipped for challenges ahead. Already plant growth has returned from the field making me hopeful for recovery. Given a long growing season we could still be looking at some good harvests. Fingers crossed Folks.

Farm News

Garlic orders will begin shipping this month for those who have ordered! Click the button below to view our seed varieties

Farm Store Hours:

Sunday-Tuesday- Closed

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday- 10-3pm

Saturday- At the Larimer County Farmers Market 9-1

What is stocked in the Farm Store?

Greens- Kale, radicchio, malbar spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cut your own herbs

Roots- Red beets, yellow and red onions, purple dragon carrots, summer leeks, garlic

Fruits- Cantaloupe melons, home grown sweet corn, cherry and heirloom tomatoes, organic plums, peaches, tomatillos

Local Products- KREAM Kimchi, Bread Chic Sourdough, Fox Den Coffee, Siante Coffee, Bee Squared Honey (from the farm), Jodar Eggs, Garden of Oz Dog Treats