Member News

There aren’t too many times of year on California’s farms that are busier than mid-May, and Terra Firma is no exception.  There are so many different tasks that need doing here right now that just listing them all would take … Continue reading →

At our farm, diversity is both an ecological and economic strategy.  Growing numerous crops helps us keep at least some insect pests and diseases in check, but it also protects us from the financial damage that most farmers suffer if … Continue reading →

I’m sure you’ve heard that garlic is good for you.  For thousands of years, all around the world, people have attributed health benefits to eating the so-called stinking rose.  But it also turns out to be a big help in … Continue reading →

I was talking on Sunday to a friend of mine who has a very large farm of mostly conventional crops.  “Everyone’s farming organically this year” he told me laughing.  We were discussing the seemingly endless fierce wind that has plagued … Continue reading →

You may or may not know that “Certified Organic” is a legal definition enshrined in federal law and governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program.  But who decides, for example, whether a certain fertilizer or pesticide is … Continue reading →

I had thought about addressing a big issue this week like the just-released proposed immigration legislation or the FDA’s food safety regulations, but with the sad news from Boston I’m going to drill down a bit into the comforting world … Continue reading →

The theme of this week’s newsletter is Silver Linings, and we’ve a some pretty big ones today.  Silver Lining #1: For all the damage that last week’s hailstorm wrought on our farm, it very clearly missed one important spot:  the TFF … Continue reading →

After giving us less than an inch of rain in three months, Mother Nature decided to play catch up Sunday.  We got more than inch of precipitation, most of it in just one hour, accompanied by lots of thunder and … Continue reading →

What’s small and red, juicy and slightly crisp and grows in the spring?  On our farm there are three different crops that match that description, and one of them is in some of the boxes today. But it may not … Continue reading →

Happy First Day of Spring!  It seems a bit of a formality this year, since it’s been warm and sunny for two months now.  But you will notice a distinct difference in your boxes today.  Generally we like to roll … Continue reading →