Earth Day Musings from Cookie: Spring on the Farm

A willow tree springs to life by the creek.

Sunday, April 6th, 2025

The current weather has encouraged the emergence of that whisper of spring green on the farm that just feels so soul-satisfying. 

Returning to the market from a field walk with Hunter this morning, it was heartwarming to encounter children dressed in their Easter finest taking pictures with Dash the giant Easter bunny (aka Flemish giant)!

Yesterday we hosted an EPIC spring market organized by Rorie from Garden State Flea Markets with over 75 vendors. Our market and kitchen teams were on point and handled the nonstop lines with grace, humor and ease! A big shout-out to the Explorers led by Captain Rod and the EHT police for handling traffic and parking!

As Hunter and I walked the property, we discussed immediate and long-range plans for the farm as we are beginning to implement our new permaculture plan that has been a year in the making.

The blueberries are planted. Thank you Gary (BlueGary)!!! Little sticks in impossibly even-spaced neat rows. Last week, our hardworking farm team planted rows of strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb. These plantings take 1 to 3 years to establish. We are easing our way into the long game of working with the land. Next comes edible fruit and nut trees such as chestnuts, pecans, pawpaws, hardy kiwis and elderberries to name a few. Of course, we are still cultivating the annual favorites like tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and many many others…..and fresh flowers!!

We have so many amazing plans and projects in the works at the farm and in our community!

But right now I’m reminded ……it truly all starts with the land, our Mother Earth. Taking the time to really take that fact in (it really is a fact!) and ponder what that means and see where it takes me is a practice I feel drawn to commit to. Will taking the time to observe nature's rhythms and patterns lead to making more informed decisions? Slowing down enough to really listen, with all the demands that come at all of us daily, is a challenge for sure. This is the trial I have undertaken, and on Earth Day and every day, it feels truly worthwhile.