It is always a pleasure to show off the farm to CSA members who attend our spring tours. Invariably, these tours are punctuated with a heightened anticipation for all of summer’s bounty yet to come, coupled with the risk and uncertainty we face as producers of food. You, as eaters, are no less dependent on the generosity of our soil and climate than are we. Some of you have asked why we host tours for our members. We love to share with you, not only what you find in the box each week but, the awesome wonder a productive gardenscape can bestow on your soul. Beyond that, we feel a responsibility to raise your food by a fully transparent process in a welcoming environment. – denesse

Now that the season has warmed a bit, we’re very excited to show off our early plantings on this Saturday’s farm tour. Basil, potatoes, melons and tomatoes are growing vigorously, and we are picking the first summer squash! If you wish to cast an eye on your “foodscape”, be sure to make a farm tour reservation today, 559-674-2642 or farmdesk@Tdwilleyfarms.com. Map and directions are on the website….from anywhere, select “Fresh & Local” then click on the “Farm Tour” link. – denesse

The first tomatoes have outgrown their protective row covers. Juan Jose and crew began to stake and tie them last week, all the while keeping abreast of continuous squash and melon seedings. We started picking a few seedless cucumbers, you’ll soon see these in your weekly boxes. Our first zucchini and yellow crookneck carries the promise of a productive season. January seedings of beets and kale have enjoyed the cooler weather, but any premature heat may send them bolting. Our neighbor Tom Bursey came to spread compost for a couple of days last week. Mr. Willey is doing great work with biological fertility and every living plant on the farm is enjoying it. Tractor drivers, Antonio, Clemente and Isaac, have kept busy turning ground over from one season’s bounty to another, a transformation that is nothing short of remarkable. We are looking forward to showing off the farm to CSA members on May 2nd. – denesse

The first tomatoes have outgrown their protective row covers. Juan Jose and crew began to stake and tie them last week, all the while keeping abreast of continuous squash and melon seedings. We started picking a few seedless cucumbers, you’ll soon see these in your weekly boxes. Our first zucchini and yellow crookneck carries the promise of a productive season. January seedings of beets and kale have enjoyed the cooler weather, but any premature heat may send them bolting. Our neighbor Tom Bursey came to spread compost for a couple of days last week. Mr. Willey is doing great work with biological fertility and every living plant on the farm is enjoying it. Tractor drivers, Antonio, Clemente and Isaac, have kept busy turning ground over from one season’s bounty to another, a transformation that is nothing short of remarkable. We are looking forward to showing off the farm to CSA members on May 2nd. – denesse

We appreciate the hand-written notes from members expressing the deep impact of eating fresh, local and organic. The farm really reminds us of the seasonality of food now. We have so many plantings of tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers that it is almost a chore waiting for summer. But, once the weather heats up for good, we’ll be missing those delicious greens and roots. We have a few more weeks to savor sautéed spinach, potato pancakes and fresh carrots shredded into our salads. – denesse