Casey O’Neill is a farmer and owner of Happy Day Farms in Laytonville, Calif. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mendocino Voice. If you’d like to write your own column for The Mendocino Voice, send your idea to info@mendovoice.com.
The time for cover crops has come as we break down the gardens and sow the seeds of future fertility. We use the Organic Soil Builder (OSB) blend which has bell beans, field peas, vetch, and oats. We add in mustard seed because it will flower as an early nectar flow for the bees whenever the weather warms in February and March. Sowing cover crops brings closure to the season, a finality that feels like a sigh of relief.
Last year we grew winter crops down at Pops’ and cover-cropped the terraces at my place, so this year we switched. The cages are put away, cannabis stumps removed and irrigation pulled up and tied to the fence posts so the lines won’t disappear into the cover crop jungle in the spring. We cover the beds with floating row cover to keep the seeds safe from birds until we get enough moisture to germinate them, and once they’re growing well we’ll pack away the covers and revel in the lushness of fresh green growth.
For now, though, the seeds will wait; there isn’t enough water left to use on anything but the fall crops and the last few beds of cannabis, and even that’s touch-and-go. The cool nights mean that we’re using less water, and I’ve cut the timers down by half on the remaining crops and shut off anything that isn’t absolutely necessary. Now, we pray for rain.
Successions of winter crops are still going out, with bok choy, tatsoi, mizuna, scallions, beets and salad mix going in this past week. I’m using the seeder to sow arugula, radishes, Asian greens salad mix, and gambling on a late sowing of carrots. As soon as I find some time I’ll sow another round of Paperpot trays of the same crops, which will fill the greenhouse beds in about a month when the peppers and tomatoes come out of the hoop houses.
Summer crops are still in production for now, as we escaped the recent cold with only small patches of frost. Even the basil is still going, protected in the hoop houses which I closed down tight against the chill of the north wind. There’s a part of me that wants them just to be done so I can clear the beds and get the last of the winter crops in, but as long as they’re still providing returns it doesn’t make sense to yank them.
I’ve been feeling grateful for strong farmers market sales, and especially so for the Market Match program that lets folks double their EBT dollars; $30 off the card equals $60 in market bucks. This additional purchasing power makes local produce more accessible to everyone and is a significant portion of my sales each week. With the changing local economy, EBT is a crucial part of food security, and Healthy Start at Harwood Hall will help folks with the process of getting signed up.
As the boom of the cannabis industry continues to fade like timber and fishing before it on the North Coast, we’re all working to figure out the next evolution. My hopes live in small-scale farming, sustainable forest management, grant programs to support beneficial land-use practices, and gathering in community. Yesterday the Mendocino Producers Guild put on an Art Walk festival in Laytonville with lots of food, music and many vendors with all kinds of things for sale. I was glad to get to play my box drum on stage and I’m grateful for the effort that went into setting it all up!
I’ve been reflecting on this process of reinvention that is underway for our community, and I’m appreciating the folks who put on events, for in togetherness there is strength. It’s important that we connect, that we know our neighbors and can share in community and joy. It makes the hard times more bearable to be able to enjoy good times, to break bread and listen to music and catch up with old friends.
Being in community is like a muscle, you have to exercise it or it goes away. It takes effort to show up, to create shared spaces, to gather and participate. Farmers markets are the metronome of my life, setting the timing and rhythm by which I move through the world. I’m grateful to the folks who come out to shop, and for the community of farmers and vendors who work to produce food and goods for sale.
I’m glad for this place, and for the people with whom I get to share this life. The alchemy of gathering, the shared energetics of connecting is a huge driver for me, charging up the batteries to give me strength for farming and reminding me of my purpose. As the season shifts towards the short, dark days, I reflect on the long work of the year, gaining a moment of perspective and appreciation. As always, much love and great success to you on your journey!
“Being in community is like a muscle, you have to exercise it or it goes away.” This part!!! Wonderful article as always.