Tortuga Thursday
In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and
began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with
nothing in the bank but love.
Four hundred and eighty jars and growing. We have cases of pickles everywhere. It's a wild schedule around here during the day. Cucumber harvesting, washing, icing, washing again and processing goes on all day long. We're all involved in it in one way or another. I happen to be the least involved directly with the pickling. Add to that the other crops, maintenance, household chores, a new baby and a multitude of other tasks. In the middle of all this work, we each have our own projects. But whatever we're doing, we're constantly working on something.Nicknames have been tagged by the chores we've each fallen into most commonly. Frank picked his up first - Pickles. He created the recipes and is the lead when it comes to pickling the cucumbers. Digger pretty much sums up Lance's activities. I wanted to call him Farmer since he's the one, but I was told that's a profession not a nickname. Christie is nicknamed Cookie. This is a dual moniker since she loves to cook and does a lot of it AND she bakes a good many cookies. My alias is Weed. Lovely, huh? But, dang, I hate weeds and I can't hardly pass one up. Takes me a while to walk across the field because I keep stopping to pull.
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| Cucumber 2 1/2 weeks ago |
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| Cucumbers today |
Someone asked me today if our experiment is working out. We've ironed out a lot of kinks, been through a great many changes over the last year and a half. Yes, it's working, it's enriching and there's still so much to experience and learn.
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| Me picking greenbeans |
Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Judy!
DeleteSo much work! But you're still smiling so I assume it's rewarding. Lucky you doing what you want!
ReplyDeleteWe're all getting exhausted and we don't smile ALL the time. But it is rewarding so there will be lots of smiles at the end!
DeleteI don't know as if I'd still be smiling, but then again, this is something you all want to be a part of and seem to be enjoying. Let me know if there's a chance at buying one of those pickle jars.
ReplyDeleteOh there will be, Jody. Once we start selling, I'll be offering them up!
DeletePickles! One of my favorite vegetables! Sounds as if you're starting a new business and I wish you well. If you make garlic dills, put me down for a quart!
ReplyDeleteFrank is experimenting with garlic dills this week. If we like it, we'll keep it in the line. Look for updates!
DeleteWow! Amazing. Are you selling pickles? You can't seriously need that many pickles.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to sell them, Beth. We'll be pretty small this year - testing the market!
DeleteI'm so impressed and intrigued. Can't wait to see the label. I love good pickles. Where are you starting distribution?
ReplyDeleteThe Ocean Between – Romance for the True Romantic
The label and the marketing, as well as the flavors, will be our sellers, we hope. We'll do farmers' markets and small outlets this year. Just getting our feet wet and testing the market.
DeleteThat's so awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of your giant garden!
It's only my first year gardening, and it's trial and (mostly) error, but I've learned so much already for next year and look forward to spring/summer 2014 already!
Can't wait to see your logo for the pickles. I'm not a huge pickle fan myself, but my husband and daughters love them!
Caroline, every year is a learning year. A farmer we know in the area that is huge and been at it for 25 years says he still learns something every year!
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