What does your summer tomato look like in February??

I woke up last Sunday morning to the sight of broken glass. Someone had decided to use the back window of my truck as kicking practice. $230 later I was asking myself why people can be such jerks to fellow neighbors. But as I drank my coffee, my spirits were lifted as I began to see something beautiful unfold with the farm—members coming back to the table and bringing friends with them.

We probably all remember running around the playground, being chased, and then getting slapped on the back and hearing the words “Tag, You’re It!” Every time you would hear that, you knew it was your turn to go find some kids. Well amigos, I want this newsletter to be my version of “Tag, you’re it” and to have you help me go find some kids. Well, maybe not kids, but their parents, and coworkers, and friends, and family members. Let me explain.

Do you remember a little ole company from the fall of 2011 named Qwikster? Probably not. But you will most likely remember the story. It was the time when Netflix was going to divide its business into two branches and operate the On-Demand company as Netflix, and the DVD to your door business as Qwikster. Members of Netflix were not too keen on this change and became very vocal about not wanting the change. The result, as we all know by now, is that Qwikster is in a graveyard right now. A reminder that even industry giants can make bad decisions.

January is always a funny time for me. In December I am pretty laid back eating green chile stew, humming the occasional Christmas tune, and enjoying fermented grape juice. Fast forward into January and the Honey-Do list seems pretty dang long. I must say that I love it though, and it is an exciting time for us and all farmers.

In case you haven’t been outside or looked outside in the last couple of weeks, it is cold and wet out. And not just in New Mexico, but throughout the Southwest and California. These weather patterns are obviously great for replenishing ground water and trying to recharge drought stricken areas, but it makes growing food a real nightmare. Plants don’t grow well in the rain and harvest crews are almost paralyzed by mud and rain. Needless to say, this is when you develop a love/hate with rain. You know we need it, but it makes your life very challenging in the short run.

Oh the New Year. What a time of hope, of promise, and of people setting themselves up for disappointment. It happens every year and it happens to all of us. We literally and figuratively bite off more than we can chew. We are so ready for the new me, that we live an unrealistic lifestyle for a few weeks. And then, by the time we celebrate Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech, our own dreams for lasting change are squashed like a mosquito party at the Indy 500.