Hello friends and supporters of Urban Futures Farm!  It has been a while since we’ve posted an update, and we wanted to share a bit about what’s been happening, and our plans for 2025.

Not running a weekly CSA last summer allowed us to focus on the health of our soils.  Over the summer we planted multiple cover crops, including crimson clover, buckwheat and lacy phacelia.  When the cover crops were blooming, they provided critical habitat for bees and other pollinators.  When we cut them down and turned them in they provided much-needed organic matter to the soil. Over the past month, we have planted our fall cover crops – crimson clover, Cayuse oats and winter rye – which will hold the soil together during the rainy season and provide another round of organic matter and nitrogen when cut and turned in next spring.  We are also optimistic that this year’s break has helped disrupt pest and disease cycles that have grown worse over the past few years.

Most of our soils got a break after 10 years of intensive vegetable production, but we did lease one field and most of our high tunnel to Laura from Rainbow Rotations Farm, who continued to provide vegetables, herbs and flowers to the community through her on-site farmstand.  Thanks to all of you who stopped by and supported Laura and invested in the next generation of farmers.

While we were focused on the health of our soil, we were also focused on personal health.  After undergoing radiation treatment for prostate cancer last fall, I am happy to report that everything looks normal at this point and I’ve regained full energy.  The key to any cancer is catching it early, so fellas don’t forget to get your annual PSA test!

Without the pressure of a weekly CSA, Stephanie and I were able to make more use of our camper van, and to spend lots of time outdoors, hiking and attending music festivals.  Highlights include the Big Ponderoo festival in Sisters, OR in June, a ten day road trip to Wallowa Lake, eastern Oregon and the Central Cascades in August, and an epic three week trip in August hiking and chasing aspens, hot springs and music around the West.

Another summer highlight was hosting the fourth annual FarmFest, our solar-powered celebration of music and community.  This year we had an incredible mix of bluegrass, Americana, folk, jazz and rock bands, and the overall vibe was just amazing.  We already have bands contacting us about next year, as word continues to spread about this special event – which is also a fundraiser for farmland preservation.  Mark your calendars for July 25-27, 2025 and look for a lineup announcement and ticket information in the new year.

Speaking of the new year, we are deep into drooling over seed catalogs and planning.  We will be returning to offering a CSA program in 2025, but in an attempt to create more work/life balance it will look a little different than it has in the past.  We will be offering fewer shares, two sizes to choose from instead of three, two pickup days instead of three, and a slightly shorter season.  What you can expect is a greater focus on quality and consistency, and the addition of strawberries from the new field we planted last Spring.  In addition, we may also offer an occasional pop-up farmstand throughout the season.    We also plan to host interns and WWOOFers next year, to share our knowledge and support the next generation of farmers, eaters, and citizens.

In addition to the return of the CSA, we will be expanding our Spring plant start sale, and experimenting with taking orders in advance.  Look for more information in the new year.

In March, we will once again be offering our popular workshop Growing Vegetables in the South Sound.  Last year’s workshop was sold out, and the many positive reviews we received indicated that people really valued this hands-on educational opportunity.

Meanwhile, our hens continue to be happy and productive, and eggs are still available for $8/dozen.  Call or text me at 360-338-8654 to arrange pickup. 

We are also looking for someone to keep an eye on the birds while we are on holiday vacation from Dec. 18-30.  A perfect job for a responsible teenager (or adult!), with payment in eggs and cash.  Contact us if you are interested!

In sum, this past year has been regenerative on so many levels. It has sharpened our focus on what matters, and reignited our passion to provide delicious, nutritious food to our community. In these uncertain times one thing is increasingly clear: building a healthy, sustainable community through food, education and music is needed more than ever.

Onward and upward!

TJ