No Contest

October 18, 2024

Caroline: Would you prefer a wet summer followed by a dry fall, or the reverse?

Dan: No contest. Wet summer followed by dry fall.

Agreed.

It has only rained once since August—twice if you count a light misting that lasted several hours. Farmers are always hoping for the perfect balance of sun and rain, of heat and cold, but we rarely get it. Instead, we get combinations of extremes. That said, some combinations are better than others. Between Dan and myself, there’s no doubt that this year’s combo—a very wet summer followed by a very dry fall—is preferable to the opposite. Fall is the season of harvesting and curing, but our tractor can’t dig potatoes in the mud, and onions don’t cure in 100% humidity. Plus, farmers who have been out in the elements all season have a lot less patience for wet feet. So while we never hope for a drought, if we have to get one, fall is the best time.

Last week we hosted four AP environmental science classes from Jericho High School. This week we hosted a group of local homeschoolers. We have a SUNY Farmingdale horticulture class scheduled for next week, and in November, another AP environmental science class, this time from Bethpage High School. We learned years ago that spring and summer tours are beyond our capacity—fieldwork is simply too demanding. Fall, on the other hand, is a great time to invite people in. Fieldwork has slowed, the farmers are starting to relax, and yet there’s still plenty to see. The last of the sun gold on withered vines. Carrots and radishes poking out of the ground. Parsley and arugula begging to be sampled. And wherever there isn’t a cash crop, a green blanket of cover crop keeps the conversation going. We’ve even hosted school groups as late as December—as the saying goes, there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing. Today's homeschool group got especially lucky. They arrived just in time to help harvest the last of the sweet potatoes. Watching your own kid roll in the dirt is cute. Watching a pack of kids roll? Priceless.

Last week the crew took its own field trip to Rexer Family Farm in Huntington. Located at the crossroads of Park Avenue and Broadway, the 120-year-old farm originally sold produce, nursery stock, fresh eggs and baked goods. In 1988, it was purchased by Robert Rexer, who upgraded the buildings and added two greenhouses. Robert’s sister, Elizabeth, worked at Restoration Farm from 2016-2017 and now manages field production and the farm store. In exchange for help dismantling the tomato trellises, our crew got a tour of the 3-acre property. Elizabeth and I wasted no time catching up on farm-mom life. Her eldest moved off to college this fall, and mine is just a few years behind. That is, we understand what it's like to cry about your kids at the wash station, within earshot of everyone. The crew, for its part, enjoyed the change of scenery and the homemade chili and halva.  

And now an update from the office. Dan I are getting ready to bid on a 5-acre farm in Old Bethpage. Wait, don’t you already have a 5-acre farm in Old Bethpage? Sort of. We have a public contract to operate a 5-acre farm in Old Bethpage, but our contract expires at the end of this year. Now the contract must go back out to public bid. Dan and I are ready to submit our proposal as soon as Nassau County issues the RFP, and we’re hoping to get some help from our readers. Has Restoration Farm made a positive impact on your life? Have you been a customer, employee, volunteer, or visitor at any point? Please share your reflections! We’ve grown a lot of food since 2007, but the food doesn’t last—memories do. Nassau County took a risk when it signed our first contract 17 years ago, but many years and thousands of customers later, we've become the safe bet. With your testimony, we hope to show that our contract renewal should be no contest.

Thanks for reading, and see you at the farm.

—Caroline

Reflections, photos, and questions can be emailed to info@restorationfarm.com