Spring - A time for optimism

The first full day of spring is living up to our expectations of warm, sunny weather with a fresh breeze blowing.  It is what keeps us optimistic that winter will eventually end.  It has been quite a roller coaster ride of temperatures this past winter and it doesn't look like that will stop with the predictions of snow for tonight.

Farmers are eternally optimistic.  They have to be as weather plays such a major role in their success. Signs of such optimism here on our farm include:

• On a cold day in February we ordered our seeds for the new season and we are adding some flowers to our mix of crops this year.  It's nice to have a small indulgence to pick up the spirits. 
• Dan has been organizing his CSA and is now open for member sign ups.  That to can be an exercise in optimism as you look out the window at the snow and ice.  What better way of saying yes to all this cold ending than to sign on for a summer full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• The boys are registering for their farmers markets - they will start up in May
• We're booking tours for our school tour program which begins the first week of May.  We are consolidating our activities from the Markham farm into our Greenbank farm, enhancing what we have to offer here.  We've added a couple of nice warm rooms that will help us be more weather proof should the spring continue on the cold side.

Take a moment to listen for the birds singing, get out of the wind and feel the strengthening warmth of the sun on your face, look past all the dirty snow banks to see the grass beneath peeking through and enjoy the lengthening of the days.

Warm, sunny days will come again and winter will be left behind.  It happens every year.  After the winter we've had, spring and summer season will be that much more appreciated.

SPRING IS HERE

Winter didn't seem to take too long this year, it was a busy one. Check out our website for some new stuff. We are currently developing our birthday party program and there is a page for that. You can email us an inquiry and we'll send you out the information as soon as it is ready. CELEBRATE SPRING NEWSLETTER is on our website as well filled with lot's of information on our farm. Print it off and keep it handy for our produce availability guide and our events calendar. Try the yummy recipe. There is a link to our newsletter on the home page. JAMES IS JOINING US Our son James is now working on the farm with us. He is in charge of our social media and keeping us up to date on twitter and facebook. Are you our friend yet? As well he is persuing some independant enterprises raising some pastured poultry and a couple acres of crops including tomatoes. These will all be available when ready in our Markham market. James is also planning 2 events this season - Celebrate Spring on Victoria Day weekend with kite flying and more as well as Celebrate Honey Monday August 1st. We'll keep you posted about exact details. WE'RE OFF TO ENGLAND Farmer Jim will be holding down things here on the farm while I and the boys are off on a market tour in England. It will be exciting to see how the Brits do things and we hope to come home with loads of ideas. See you soon. We're opening Saturday April 30th.