Entering September always feels like a cause for celebration - we’ve reached the peak of our season! Rachel recently seeded the last of the 2022 vegetable crops; Elise is beginning to think about where to plant the overwintered flowers; Aaron is harvesting from the final succession of Chinese broccoli for this year. Despite the fact that there is still a good chunk of the season to come and an unrealistic amount to accomplish each day, the second half of the season feels easier each day rather than more demanding. Plus, it’s just much more pleasant to walk out into the field now that the morning temperature is 58 degrees rather than 85.
And, we’re reaping the rewards from the first half of the season now! This is when the harvests are the largest and most diverse. September is a special time of year when summer crops like tomatoes and peppers are still thriving while the longer season crops like ginger and onions finally arrive. While cooler mornings, long afternoon shadows, and earlier sunsets offer us a sneak peak of more restful days ahead, the truth is that there is still plenty this season has to offer!
BUT WAIT! THAT IS NOT THE REAL REASON FOR THIS BLOG POST!
Just as it’s starting to feel like life might begin to slow down on Four Root Farm, things are ramping up for longtime members of the FRF team, Brittany and Caley…
THEY BOUGHT A FARM!!!!
These two are now the proud owners of Beets & Blooms Farm, a queer-owned farm located in East Hampton, CT. They purchased their property earlier this year after a 3-year long search to find affordable, farmable land amidst an absolutely insane real estate market. They’ve been making strides all summer long to get their business off the ground (or rather, in the ground). Back in June, they planted a variety of winter squashes as well as sunflowers, zinnias, and amaranth. And now, they’re starting to realize their first harvests.
Brittany and Caley are badass, intelligent, joyful, hard-working farmers and overall amazing people. They’ve played an important part in the success of Four Root Farm over the past 5 and 4 seasons, respectively, that they’ve worked here, and I think I can speak for the whole team when I say we’re incredibly excited for them.
Beets & Blooms Farm will be at the New Haven Pride Festival on September 17th with flowers (fresh and dried), winter squash, and some of the most punny merchandise you’ve ever seen. They plan to start a small CSA in 2022 and potentially become a vendor at farmers’ markets in the Middletown and New Haven area. You can find updates about where to buy their products on their website: https://www.beetsandbloomsfarm.com/. And you can follow them on social media: @beetsandbloomsfarm.
Here’s to September, to Beets & Blooms, and to Brittany and Caley! <3
-Kiersten
