First off on this super busy week around the farm, El Paso Home Delivery launch. El Paso has been a great supporter of the farm for many years and we just could never break through some of the logistical issues to run a home delivery program. Finally, with the help of Cameron, we have made this potential a reality. So thanks for everyone who kept asking for this option, we do listen.
After a warm February, the farm is covered under a snowy blanket awaiting some sunshine to resume its progress. I am very ready for Spring, but this moisture is very welcomed. I was speaking with some water folks at the Organic Farming Conference last week and the situation is not looking very good for this year’s irrigation. So any and all the water we can get in the valley and up in the mountains right now will help all the farmers this growing season. So let’s enjoy this and know that it will bring better local food to the scene this summer.
Lastly this week, the farm is turning another year older. Stick another candle in our Organic German Chocolate Cake. The first week of March 2003 we broke ground at the Los Poblanos Ranch and began the journey of expanding the availability of CSAs to New Mexico. 12 years later, we are stronger than ever and I cannot thank you enough for all the support you have given the farm (and me) over the years. We truly could not have done it without you all.
I used to see companies celebrating a 10, 20, or 40 year birthday and think that it was all a marketing thing to bring attention. Then you start your own business and realize that every birthday celebration that the business has is a huge milestone. In this economic environment, businesses can go from top of their industry to obsolete in the matter of years. As an example, I was filling out some papers this week and they asked for my home phone number. I thought of how my 7 year old son, Soren, would answer that… “What the heck is a home phone?”
And it is with that honest sense of impermanence that I have to face every new day here at the farm. Sure people will always need to eat, but they do not need to eat our food. There is plenty of food out there to be munched on and we have to remember that daily. Just because we grow food in your backyard does not make us special. That does not give us staying power. We have to do more.
And being more to you has come in many forms—night deliveries, expanded delivery days, customization of your Harvest Box, adding more staple products, highlighting seasonal specialties. On the surface you look at any one of those and not see anything super special. But it is the larger perspective that we try and take with our members. At the root of it, we are not trying to “sell” you something. I want the farm to nudge our way into your lives where food and the farm become a part of your lifestyle. A place where you look in the mirror and say, “Dang, I am what I eat and it feels good.” This has been our goal from the beginning and I am happy to say that after 12 years of being your neighborhood farm, our goal has not changed.
As a small token of our appreciation for all of your support of the farm, we are going to reopen the “Prepay Discount” to our members. For the month of March, if you prepay $1,000 to your account, we will give you an additional $100 to spend however you choose. Sure you are not going to retire early with the $100, but it will help cut your food budget by 10%. There is no expiration date on that money as well. Use it whenever you feel like it.
That is about all I have for this week. Stay warm and safe and spend some time playing with your food in the kitchen.
Cheers to 12 more years,
Farmer Monte