To Our Dear Farm Community,

You might have heard through the grapevine that our Spring Picnic and Garden Gallop 5K is this weekend. Well, this event holds a very special place in my heart and always takes me back to the farm's humble beginnings. At the advent of this whole farm endeavor, back when I was still slingin' veggies from my backyard on Holly Street in 2005, I started really cultivating relationships with my farmers market customers. I don't know if it was all the many varied multi-colored eggs (thanks to the almost 30 different kinds of chickens I had) or my "selling-grilled-cheese-and-following-the-Grateful-Dead" stories that drew us together; regardless, my customers and I started to bond and connect. I started gathering email addresses and sending out weekly newsletters about the goings-on at the farm... I enjoyed writing my farm-friends so thoroughly that I would compose farm updates at my government job! Whoops! Once I started the JBG CSA, an idea that I had been interested in and researched since college, if you can believe it, and moved out to the 20 acres at Hergotz in the Spring of 2006, I had a lightbulb moment of inviting the community out to spend time where their food is grown. That was our inaugural farm-tour and picnic... Beth made her fa(r)mous homemade chocolate chip cookies and about 25 folks made the trek out to see the farm. Going from a backyard to a 20 acre plot warrants some serious celebration!

Bands at Hergotz Potluck. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Potluck at Hergotz. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Ten years later, it's hard to believe how much the event has changed. This weekend, I'm looking forward to seeing old and new friends in this perfect spring weather. You can participate in the run (curated by the one and only Rogue Running) and explore all the farm has to offer whilst getting your sweat on if you’d like, but be sure to stick around and enjoy the delicious food and boot-stompin’ tunes. There is a $10 donation to the bands, High Plains Jamboree and The Possum Posse, whose musical stylings will surely please. While you are on the farm, be sure to check out some of the exciting new projects that have been in the works... mosey over to the vineyard to check the progress of the baby grapes, the mandarin oranges on the south side of the greenhouse (30 of ‘em!), and last but not least the hundred pecan trees that we just recently planted (they are just starting to sprout!). Be sure to sneak a peek at the first green tomatoes that are in the hoop house, too. Summer crops are on the way! If you don't have time to make a dish to share, don't fret, AISD's brand spankin' new food truck, Nacho Average Food Truck, will be there slingin' delectable fares.

Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Potluck dish. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Potluck shenanigans. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Sandpile adventures. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Thanks again to everyone who came out to our 2017 Transplant Sale, it really was the best one yet. We can't wait to see you on Saturday!

Cheers, Brenton