Lunch conversations at CISA lately have focused on seed orders and whether or not it's time to tap our small backyard sugarbushes. Many farmers are way ahead of us on the seed ordering, and have moved on to starting seeds and the complicated business of allocating greenhouse space and planning waves of planting, transplanting, and seeding for multiple varieties and diverse crops. Orchardists are finishing up their winter pruning, and syrup producers are watching the weather! As farmers do more winter production and marketing, the traditional period of winter rest has gotten shorter, and by March it's coming to an end on most farms.

Luckily, the rest of us don't need to plan ahead as carefully in order to enjoy the spring and summer bounty to come! It's easy to stop at a farmstand or pick-your-own operation at a moment's notice. But if you're interested in a CSA share or summer farm camp for your kids, we recommend signing up now. Check CISA's events page, too, if you want to find a workshop, farm tour, or other opportunity to learn about starting a garden or preserving some of this year's harvest for eating next winter.

Photo by Margaret Christie.