Falling Into Autumn

Even though the sun still feels hot and the rain is scattered and light in most cases - when we are lucky enough to get any - before too long, fall will be here. The rains will return (hopefully), and cooler weather will bring a welcome relief to the long, hot days of unbearable heat indexes.

That means most farmers are busy seeding trays, prepping their soil and ordering last minute seeds - maybe for a failed test batch - in order to grow what we call the "cool season" crops. Generally these are harvested from October through the holidays. With the crazy weather, we're never for sure, but those are the plans. 

Favorites like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, and other cool season favorites, replace the summer crops like tomatoes, squash, okra, peppers and melons. This was a strange year for sure, with the heavy rains dragging on late into the early summer, it wreaked havoc on many of our summer growing plans. But a late 2nd crop of squash, peppers ready to go in the ground and some short season cucumbers will hopefully make up for any shortfalls we had this summer.  

Here at Eden's, I've been planting for fall crops since 2008. It seems almost a lifetime ago that I began this journey of farming for my community. Farming is no joke. And some days, I feel the seriousness of it in every bone in my body. It is important work, whether it is on a large scale in the cab of an air-conditioned cabin  with GPS directed row, or on foot with a hoe and a rake, or somewhere in between. 

Growing food, fiber and protein is what makes the world go around. Without modern agriculture, many people would not survive. There wouldn't be enough food at the grocery store for those who can't or don't grow, and many of us would live without many things we've become accustomed to acquiring, such as coffee, flour, sugar, and the many fruits and vegetables we can enjoy year round - thanks to imports. 

I've only ever been to 2 places in this country that can pretty much grow whatever they need all year round, and even they import some items. We function as a collective of growers from around the country and the world to feed everyone. Even though "big ag" has taken some guff for some of its conventional ways, on a whole, farming is a well respected "job".  

But it's more than that. It's a way of life for many. Sure, some folks have a day job and grow in their spare time.  But those of us who farm full time understand some parts of life differently than most. We’ve had to face challenges that many who can rely on off-farm jobs to supplement their income will never know—hard decisions that aren’t just about producing crops—they’re about life-or-death consequences for the farmer’s livelihood and family.

If there's a bad season, it would surely mean some major problems. String a few bad seasons together,  it could mean financial ruin for many farmers. We're not running our farms as a loss leader for a larger portfolio, nor do we have a second or third income to fall back on. This is not hobby farming for us. It's what pays the mortgage that allows us to continue to farm, to continue to pay the mortgage. 

Helping to minimize the risk of farming, is what birthed the CSA movement, many decades ago. And while there have always been a variety of  ways to organize a CSA operation, the idea of helping to minimize the risk to the farmer with subscriptions by the community, is the common thread. The farmer puts in the time, labor and know-how and hopes for the best when it comes to weather. The members divide up the cost of running the farm between themselves, and in turn split the harvest - be that what it may. 

Eden's Garden CSA Farm has never required its members to work in any way. We have offered work-share options and from time to time, folks will take me up on the discounted membership in exchange for weekly work on the farm. But it's been a long time since I've had anyone come every week for a few hours to help plant, pick, process, weed and such. We have had a lot of fun over the years. 

We all begin to slow down, sooner or later. That is why I've been looking for a way to retire, while allowing what has almost become the last CSA in the DFW area to remain intact. It is surely the longest running. I love that families have grown up coming here. New families discover it and bring their support, and families outgrow or move away, too. I've met hundreds of people through this farm and it has been my honor to grow food for each and every one. 

It is a shame that due to changes in city policy, I can no longer host other farmers. But I've also missed not even having enough produce to harvest to sell the extra myself for the public at a market stand, in some time. I just am not physically up to the longer hours and labor it requires to grow the surplus. 

So, I've been thinking about offering up a section of the farm to someone who wants to break into farming, but doesn't have the space. Maybe they've got the desire, and the strong back, but nowhere to grow more than a small garden - if even that. 

If you know of such a youngster who wants to start earning a living off the land, send them my way. I will be happy to visit with them. Serious inquiries only. This is not an offer for community garden space to grow a couple of plants and stop in once a week. Neither am I offering any kind of lodging. I do not have the availability any more. The shop has become a shell of its former self and houses the barn cats at night to keep them safe from coyotes. But that's about it. 

 

At some point, I still hope that the City of Balch Springs will realize what a golden opportunity Pioneer Grove will be, and I'll be able to open up much more than just a section for folks to farm. For now, I've got about 2 acres set aside, maybe more if you're willing to do some fencing, to keep the border horses out. I have split it up into several sections.  There is one other farmer here and he also has a section. He hopes to grow for chefs, mostly.

We have a large high tunnel and a smaller frame that can be relocated to the back growing area and used for winter growing. Just add plastic. We can work through the logistics of equipment and supplies, I have resources and we have some on farm that are shared. I can provide a place to grow and serve as a mentor or a sounding board in exchange for some help with the heavier parts of the job and part of the harvest. The bulk will be theirs to sell. The details can all be discussed and worked out. My hope is that this opportunity will find someone looking to professionally farm. I quit my farm job 5 months after I broke ground. I've really never regretted it. 

But I think it is time to find a way to shift the baton, so to speak - pass on the hoe, if you will. I know how valuable a working education can be. I've taught myself pretty much everything along the way. You Tube and reference books are great, but getting your hands dirty - nothing beats that.  And I look forward to seeing some new ideas, because I have not changed much in the nearly 20 years I've been doing this. 

In the meantime, I have been doing what most farmers are doing this time of year, and as I've done since 2008 - planting flats of fall crop seeds, getting ground ready to plant in, and here at Eden's,  welcoming in new members to my CSA. 

I do have a few memberships open, so if you're interested in either a full share, or a working share, please go to the website and follow the CSA info link for more information.  Pay for your fall share ASAP (it was due in July), and start sharing in the harvest with us starting in October.

If you're a gardener, it's time to get busy! Fall tomatoes should be in the ground if you're growing them, and if we're lucky, harvesting a second round of squash and peppers is not out of the question, either. Order your garlic. And soon, I'll have onion slips available for pre-order. I don't know about spuds yet. I'll keep you posted!

Go get your hands dirty and eat Your Food - Naturally!!

  Farmer Marie 

Badger The Calendar Farm Hero

Well, I had a little fun this week - I entered, and won, (3rd) a /Great Pyrenees/photo/calendar contest! 

I'm not so sure it was as much about the photographs as it was the stories of the dogs, so I'm lucky to have struck a chord with some very generous folks who voted Badger into 3rd place with their donations to the TGPR. But if I do say so myself, it's not a bad shot of our resident farm hero, proudly standing guard over his Gulf Coast sheep flock. OK, so there's only 4 of them, but hey, it's his flock. Plus, of course, there's Smoke, our aging Icelandic, and our ever changing flocks of chickens, shop cats, horses and, me - none pictured. 

It was all for a very admirable cause. The Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue organization uses an annual calendar contest as a way to raise money that pays for typical vet bills like spaying and neutering, as well as the quickly escalating medical bills that can come with many of these sweet fluff balls who come in sick, injured and sometimes, close to death. Every dog can't be saved, but by golly, they're going to save the ones they can! 

Many of the dogs that come in end up as cushy, spoiled couch dogs - which is just fine. Sadly, many of the dogs rescued out of shelters or found abandoned and roaming, are guardian dog failures. Not every dog bred and born to be a livestock guardian, has the right temperament to do so. Some chase their charges - which can lead to injury or worse, especially if the charges are fowl. It takes a very special temperament for a dog - who's instinct is to give chase to feathery, flighty things that squawk when you squeeze them  - to overpower that instinct and remain calm.  

But just because a dog wants to do what comes naturally to it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be loved. We've still got some old-fashioned minded folks out there who don't give those dogs a chance to become an excellent family dog. Which is a shame, because as the hundreds - maybe thousands - of rescue families would tell you - they can make excellent family dogs! They are usually low energy, laid back and sweet. Their bark may sound formidable, but they're what is often called, a gentle giant with their family. 

They adapt to new family members well, often get along just fine with feline siblings and do not require the same kind of high energy exercise that many more high-strung breeds often do.  They don't eat as much as you might think - they are a LOT of fluff, and even though they are a large breed, you don't want them to become too heavy or joints and bones could become an issue. Badger eats about 4 cups of dry kibble a day. And sometimes, he skips a meal! Usually, that's because he's found a new hiding spot for eggs.... ahem. 

Badger, as you know if you've followed the farm over the years, came here several months after I had to put down Bear, my first LGD. Bear, and his former partner, Molly, both came through the TGPR family. One of their volunteers did excellent matching 2 dogs to my needs for protection on the farm. Susie, being a homesteader herself, knew the temperament I needed and while we had one dog on visitation that didn't work out, as soon as Bear lumbered out of the back seat of her car, I knew he was going to be great - and he was. (Well, till he hit the tyrannosaurus x phase - AKA the terrible twos till 3 or that light flips on, phase.)

Molly, already 3, had been fostered on a working farm, too, the former FFA dog to a youngster, she had been trained to sheep and exposed to chickens, also. They made a great team and had some wonderful adventures together. Bear retired to the house, eventually, after Molly passed on.

Badger's story allowed him to skip the whole foster home period. I happened to see his momma's plea to rehome him due to his sire being a big ol' bully to her sweet natured year old pup. Truly, it is not unusual for there to be family squabbles in litters, and often the pups are sent off to avoid fighting. 

Badger hit the jackpot with his relocation because he eats in his own stall, so there is no one here to steal his food or push him around. He eased into his new role as top dog LGD very well and lords over the 3 acres he has access to like he was born here. He despises it when I limit his kingdom on farm share pick up days - or when a repair crew is coming. But there's not a squirrel, rabbit, skunk or raccoon of whom he doesn't have their number, and he has become buddies with the shop cats, (well, more or less), and he keeps the younger sheep from stealing Smoke's kibbles. The horses are pretty much forbidden territory - Off Limits! He was kicked as a youngster back at his first home, by a mini-horse he likely mistook for a playmate. The horses here are much bigger and while curious, he usually keeps his distance and is not allowed in the horse barn. I don't need that vet bill!  

 

He is also very photogenic. I love taking his picture - when he sits still for one. Usually I get his back end or a side shot as he's moving into or away from the lens. But I mean, just look at that face! How can I resist?  He's not a big licker, thankfully, so I'm not setting myself up for a face cleaning every time I stoop down to get a shot, but he does like to come be near me, so close ups are not common. He gets too close, too fast! 

But, I thought I had a few good shots to choose from and enter 1 and, well, we picked a winner! I used the one our FB fans chose and he took 3rd place - and that won him a month featured in the calendar! We picked June, since that's his birthday month. I'll find out later if he gets it. (The 1st place winner gets to choose first, etc.) But his gotcha day is in October, so we used that as our back up month if June isn't available. Either way, Badger will be smiling at ya from his page on the Texas Great Pyrenees 2026 Calendar! 

Thank you to all of his fans, fans of the farm, friends and family who donated and gave votes to Badger. He never would have won on my farmer's only salary, that's for sure. All of the proceeds from his entry fee, to every vote, go towards the rescue group. 

And I hope I was able to raise some new awareness for them, along the way. They're an entirely volunteer group, no 6 digit CEO, and there's no bricks and mortar home office. Everyone volunteers time, space and love. Fosters often drive hours to rescue and vet these dogs, before taking them into their homes, while they await the all clear and a furever home of their own. I felt great about beating the drum of this fine group of folks - and I hope you'll check them out if you're ever in the market for a new fluff ball friend, an LGD (they do have some that are fostered and vetted for this), as well as a place to support. A bona fide 501C3, your donations are tax deductible, and you can feel good about your money going to a good cause.

Marie 

Eat Your Food - Naturally!