On to the next chapter

By now many of our followers have probably heard that New Minglewood Farm has ceased operations. Tammara and I had been contemplating this decision for quite some time, but made it official at the end of last year's growing season and started to let people know in early January. We we're overwhelmed by the kind words and support from so many of our long-time customers. It really hit home how much we and our vegetables were appreciated. We can't thank you all enough.

The reasons for shutting down the farm are many, but for the most part we are viewing this as a positive change in our lives and are looking forward to the next chapter. Farming is hard... I probably don't have to explain that to anyone. Physically, mentally, economically,and emotionally it all takes a toll. After sixteen seasons, those tolls added up to a point where we didn't want to pay them any more. Basically, we were tired and burned out. Rather than continue down this path, we decided to make a change and stop complaining.



I have decided to pursue a career as an organic farm inspector. We were a certified organic farm for 13 years (we needed three years of documented organic production before we were eligible for certification). We have always been dedicated to the program and believe it is valuable to both the consumer and producer. While we did not have to be certified, it ultimately made us better farmers. There is a series of training workshops offered by the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) that prepares attendees to inspect farms for organic certification. Then there is an apprenticeship period with a certifying agency, such as NOFA-NY, to complete your training. You are then qualified as a private contractor to inspect farms for any number of certifying agencies.



The first of the training sessions is in a few weeks in North Carolina, near Ashville. It will be an intense week of study, but I am looking forward to learning new things and leap-frogging to some real springtime weather. Since I will be so close to the Smoky Mountains, Tammara will meet me after the course and we will go backpacking in the National Park! This kind of trip is also a big motivator to making a change in our lives. We are not getting any younger and we want to hike, canoe, and travel while we are still physically up to it.

Tammara continues her work at the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, where she ironically oversees a program to accredit or certify land trusts. She is looking forward to being free of the added duties that the farm put on her every spring and being able to enjoy a bit more free time.

At this point, we plan to stay living on the farm and hold on to most the equipment for awhile. We love Greenwich and don't really want to move anytime soon. Nonetheless, if a buyer appeared that wanted to continue the farm and buy the whole set-up as a turn-key operation, we could be persuaded to sell, if the price was right...

So, for now we are planning a big garden for ourselves and looking forward to lazy weekends. I enjoy writing these posts, so I will plan to make occasional updates as a way to keep in touch. Thanks again to all our supporters - May your days be sunny and your salad bowls always full.

Chris