Friday, June 21st, is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. As Biodynamic farmers, we view the Earth as a living being complete with cycles of breath. The solstice marks the transition between the Earth's long exhalation (which began at the winter solstice) and inhalation (which ends at the winter solstice). On the farm, this time is typically accompanied by an abundance of spring-planted vegetables as well as an abundance of weeds! Our spring-planted root crops are producing well this season, and you'll see evidence of that in your box this week. Around this time when the "sun stands still" there is also a relative lull in field plantings. We continuously plant crops like lettuce, salad mix, beets, summer squash and beans in order to maintain a continuous supply, but the longer season summer crops like tomatoes, eggplants and peppers have all been in the ground since early May. We're beginning to sow some fall-planted crops in the greenhouse in preparation for our "second spring," which starts in early August. But for now, the farm's focus is keeping weeds at bay and harvesting.
This pause in the intense outer work of the farm is much like the space between the inhale and exhale of human breath, and offers the opportunity for more reflective inner work. From now through the end of July, apprentices will rotate through taking a week off from the farm. We offer this as a time of integration, reflection and rest, and we have learned that a break from the farm often results in fresh perspectives and positive attitudes! Everyone will be back on the farm for the early August plantings of cool-season crops.