Farm Journal
In subtle and blatant ways, farmers are professionally discounted and personally discouraged. I adamantly believe agriculture can be a rewarding, and healthy full time career. By writing about my work and sharing my progress, I hope to show how organic farms and farmers enrich and strengthen the communities they serve. ~April
“I love your newsletter. The produce is so delicious, but the spirit of the farm lives in how you both communicate with us. So grateful for you all.”
— April Joy Farm CSA Member
April Jones Thatcher Named 2022 National Organic Farmer of the Year
On May 9th, 2023 I was honored as the Organic Trade Association’s National Farmer of the Year. Because the awards ceremony was on the other side of the country and I have a farm to tend, I wrote a condensed version of this acceptance speech and pre-recorded it.
The Roots of Change
This week is quite a milestone for me. Friday will mark the completion of the fifteenth year of my farming adventure. Over the last fifteen years, I’ve been told a lot of things.
I’ve been told that bigger is better and yet in my heart I’ve always had a fondness for the small and precious.
Cover Cropping | Part 4
So how does one balance the importance of thriving, lush cover crops with the desire to sow vegetables in that same space?
Cover Cropping | Part 3
Cover crops can play a big role in supporting these guiding principles of soil management and successfully integrating cover crops into your gardening or farming system means thinking through three main elements: type, timing and techniques. I previously covered the types of cover crops and now it’s time to focus on timing.
Cover Cropping | Part 2
The plant species you use in your cover crop mix is a crucial decision. We always start at square one– and you can too. Square one is: What is it exactly you are trying to accomplish? Planting stuff to feed the soil because April said it was a good idea isn’t an appropriate answer!
You need to be very clear about your goals.