Farm Report: April 2003

Things outside are beginning to come alive at the Research Farm. And, just as the seasons are changing around us, so are there changes among us. We recently said goodbye to Micaela Colley, the farm's manager for the past four years. She has relocated to Oregon where she will continue to work with Seeds of Change as a field consultant with our seed growers as well as monitor our field trials with market growers. Though we are sad to see her go, we are happy for her and look forward to working with her in her new capacities.

Last month, we welcomed Lynda Prim as the new full-time Head Seed Cleaner. She took over for Emily Skelton who is staying on with us part-time after having a baby last summer. Emily has been busy sharing with Lynda her extensive knowledge about our seed cleaning processes and technology. Lynda brings a tremendous diversity of skills and experience and will greatly enrich our program here at the Research Farm. A self-declared "Seed Head" and farmer, Lynda has been actively involved with organic and sustainable agriculture in the Southwest for a number of years. We are thrilled she has joined us!

Our seasonal help has also arrived to assist in the fields and greenhouses. We are happy to welcome back Erasmo Marquez, for his second season with us. Santa Fe resident Allie Sacco is a joyful new face at the farm this year. Her enthusiasm and good spirits infect us all! Our seasonal workers play a very important role in keeping the farm running smoothly during the busy months in the fields. Their efforts are greatly appreciated!

Things are coming along nicely in the greenhouses. Peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and a variety of perennial and annual flowers were started in March. April is a big push in the greenhouse to finish starting all of our Brassica varieties (kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) and more flowers. Outside, we have direct seeded peas and poppies, and our over-wintered garlic has really begun to take off. We planted potatoes and transplanted our onion starts this month as well.

Recently, Steve Peters came out to the farm to help local organic grower Rick Gaudet (see eNewsletter #32 to read an article on Rick and his wife Heather's experience as CSA farmers) dig up "Little Finger" (a Nantes-type) carrot roots that over-wintered in the ground at the Research Farm. Rick and Heather have a contract with Seeds of Change this year to grow 'Little Finger' seed. After harvesting the roots, all of the carrot roots were lined-up to be selected. Only the roots exhibiting the most desirable phenotype were passed on to the Gaudets to replant on their land. Making selections in the field helps the seed grower to reduce undesirable genetics within a population because plants or roots that are not true-to-type are culled before they produce seed. After the selections were made, the sprouting carrot tops were trimmed to approximately one-half inch to encourage more vigorous top growth upon replanting. We are doing a similar harvest, selection, and planting of a Chantenay-type carrot variety, "Oxheart". The selected Oxheart roots will be replanted at the Research Farm to be grown for seed.

Next month I'll report on an intensive three-day workshop on plant breeding and varietal improvement that I recently attended in Port Townsend, Washington. The workshop, hosted by Abundant Life Seed Foundation, was facilitated by plant breeder John Navazio (see eNewsletter #32 for our exclusive Seeds of Change interview) and focused on practical plant improvement techniques for open pollinated, self- and cross-pollinating crops.

With best wishes for a productive spring,
Jordan Rainwater, Research Associate
and the entire staff at the Seeds of Change Research Farm