Farm Report: March 2008
By Kelle Carter

Things are pretty quiet these days on the farm. However, we are still busy in our seed cleaning facility processing the 20,000 plus pounds of seed that are shipped to our warehouse each winter from our nationwide network of seed growers. This is a lengthy process that includes air-drying the seed for a few days and then carefully cleaning it according to the needs of each crop. We have recently purchased three new pieces of equipment that help us to sort out inert material in the seed lots. This equipment includes a spiral separator, a belt grader, and an indent cylinder. These specialized tools use different means to help ensure the quality of our seed, by removing inert material and weed seeds that might be mixed into the seed lots. 

This winter has been a great one for the snow pack in the mountains of New Mexico, assuring us of adequate moisture for the coming season. The Research Farm has also been blanketed in a few inches of snow during the past winter storms, providing moisture directly to soil as it melts. It is so beautiful to look out on the pure white fields—I cannot help but think about the fact that there is no weeding to be done! We are also fortunate this year to be visited once again by a flock of Sandhill Cranes. The birds have been foraging in our orchard since the middle of January—quite a beautiful site to behold.

In addition to seed cleaning, we are finalizing our research plans for the upcoming growing season. This includes evaluating new and interesting crops to potentially increase the biodiversity of our offerings in upcoming catalogs.

I am also looking for interns to help us throughout the season. The main requirements for a potential intern are availability from April 7 until October 17, a desire to learn, and a willingness to work hard and get along with others. We have a beautiful adobe home on the farm for the crew to live in and the interns are compensated for their efforts with a weekly stipend. Please contact us if you or someone you know may be interested.

Spring seems like it is just around the corner. The cottonwood trees are beginning to bud out and we are working hard to get our apple trees pruned before they follow suit. I hope your garden planning is an exciting and creative process—there is no limit to what you can create and grow! 

Happy almost-Spring!
Kelle Carter
Seeds of Change Farm Field Coordinator

Photo Captions: (1) Our new indent cylinder allows us to separate a variety of seeds by length. (2) Migrating Sandhill Cranes forage in our orchards, a beautiful contrast of life against the dormancy of winter. (3) The farms fields are blanketed by this winter's substantial snow fall.