manofarm

[manofarm]

Hey Folks, Shawn Fulbright writing - I've not had a suitable camera with which to photograph the continued efforts at seed production that have been occurring out on the farm this summer and I'll admit that the rarity of posts on this page is the direct result of being less inspired to share without said visuals.

That dry spell ends today, the day that I spotted for the first time since I planted this stand last year, three decent-sized Monarch caterpillars feeding deep within my California Milkweed plants. For the first time in months, I feel too much joy to remain silent.

Over the summer, I delighted when I observed that these native plants I purchased in little 4" pots from the Theodore Payne Foundation were blooming and clearly leaving behind seed pods, and then bewildered when the first hundred or so proved limp and sterile upon closer inspection.

A month or so passed and bigger seed pods formed. Lots of them. I didn't think much of it. Then one day I glanced over at the plants and they seemed to have some kind of white fluffy growth occurring - I assumed some kind of parasite had begun attacking them, but in actuality, the fattened pods had begun exploding forth with feathery masses of lovely, parachuted seeds.

Every other day for many weeks now I have been gently grasping at these clouds of seed as they present themselves, always amused by their built-in ability to completely disregard gravity if released into a breeze. But preliminary inspections for signs of Monarch larvae - the reason native milkweed is such a coveted plant for California gardeners - always came up empty handed. Until today.

On the drive home, it occurred to me that despite the fact that this was all happening on my farm, my joy wasn't actually rooted in a sense of pride for "making" this all happen. Rather, it's joy and wonder delivered by curiosity in its most primitive sense; the privilege of bearing witness to nature just doin' her thing. It sums up a lot of the feelings I have out here.

Throughout all of the discoveries I've made as a farmer just barely scratching the surface of the seed saving world, it feels like the time I spend out here caring for the plants, coaxing them to seed; it affords me a "ticket to ride", so to speak. It's me paying entry into the amusement park that is nature, that is all around us all the time but operating on different levels of subtlety, some so faint that you could blink and you'll miss it. You don't always have to know what you're looking for. Keep your eyes open and be patient, and it may just come knocking on your door.

[manofarm]

If you haven't stopped by our @ojaifarmersmarket booth lately, be sure to check us out this Sunday from 9am to 1pm. We feature the most electric best tasting, nutritional and beatific crop array in our home town, period. And a seed company to boot.

[manofarm]

Progress on our the northern portion of the field continues. Just one more till and then shaping the beds. Summer seed crops imminent.

[manofarm]

Today @ojaifarmersmarket – and more. (at Ojai Farmers' Market)

[manofarm]

new views

[manofarm]

How do I become a farmer?

Find a plot of land, make a commitment to work a set number of days, find what if any niche crops that work economically/ecologically in your area, show up and see how things go from there. Read books but don’t get invested in any one farming philosophy or ideology. We recommend Steve Solomon’s “Gardening When It Counts.” Good basic advice in there without too much ideology. It’s tough but rewarding work. Good luck!

[manofarm]

Hi, hello! Do you welcome visitors and/or volunteers to the farm? I'd love to stop by while I'm in Ojai for my birthday next week (M 9th - W 11th). I'd love to pick up some produce as well but unfortunately can't make it for the farmers market on Sunday. Let me know! Thanks! -Robin 808 990 6077

Hey there Robin,

We have volunteer days on Fridays. Please contact us at manofarmers@gmail.com if you are interested in arranging a time to come out.

[manofarm]

Greetings, Im a new dirt surfer in the area. up on a old avacado farm im hopefully going to bring a little diversity. Just hoping to connect with some other farmers and maybe share on a seed order. Have been ordering from johnny, fedco, and kitazawa but am eager to learn about anything out there. cheers and best, Arthur

Hey Arthur,

We have volunteer days on Fridays. Please contact us directly at manofarmers@gmail.com if you want to arrange a Friday to come out.

[manofarm]

Hello! My name is Katie Foley. We are planning our wedding for the first Saturday of August. We will have our ceremony at the "Ojai Eco-Villa" (that’s the vrbo name) for the on the same property. We are exited! I was thinking of asking if your farm could provide food during that time? I see that you do a CSA too. I also had the idea of maybe asking if you could grow a bunch of sunflowers or something on the farm that we could pick just before so everything is nice a fresh! txt my cell 5108813739

Hey, Katie, thanks for your interest. Our vegetable production this year is limited, and typically whatever we do produce goes to the Sunday Ojai Farmers market. However, we may have some things around we could offer you. Contact us through email at manofarmers@gmail.com for further information.

[manofarm]

Hi there, are you no longer doing CSA baskets? : ( Since Avogadros Farm is closed is Farmer and the cook the only CSA in Ojai now? Thanks

Hey there,

Thanks so much for your interest in our farm. We ended our CSA program after six years in order to focus exclusively on seed production. There are a number of Community Supported Agriculture programs in the Ojai Valley. We recommend our friends Johnny and Liz at Rio Gozo Farm. They can be contacted at riogozofarm@gmail.com.

[manofarm]

Hello! Are you hiring on or farm at all?

Not at this time, sorry!

[manofarm]

Hi Mano farmers! I'm wondering if you are in need of any farm hands for the upcoming 2016 season. I'm currently farming at Pie Ranch, in Pescadero CA, but may return to Southern California in 2016. Last year, I studied genetic conservation, focusing on agrobiodiversity at CASFS, and I'm really hoping to get more experience in organic seed production. I've been following your farm, and would love to chat more about the great things you are doing. Thanks so much!

Hey there, 

We aren’t in need of any farm hands at this point in time. We do offer volunteer days – at this point in time, our volunteer days are Fridays. Email us directly at manofarmers@gmail.com to arrange a time to come out.

-Quin

[manofarm]

Hi! I am a yoga teacher in LA, originally from Ojai! I am leading a non-profit retreat in Ojai on October 16, 17,18. I am wondering you would like to donate any local veggies for us to eat... Or we can work a free trade for yoga?! Jessica Paquette 805-798-3592

Sorry, we do not have any produce available for donation at this point in time. We prioritize donations of surplus produce directly to low income individuals or the Food Bank of Ventura County.

-Quin

[manofarm]

Hi there! I have been coming to Ojai for a few years now and absolutely love it. I am wondering if you all offer any work exchange opportunities on your farm? I am very interested in farming/gardening/natural building/herbalism and am looking for an opportunity to learn more about these subjects for a short period of time (maybe 1-3 months). I have heard from an Ojai resident that there is a farm in Ojai that offers work exchange so I am reaching out!

Hey,

We welcome volunteers, but no longer offer work exchange opportunities on our farm. For the past number of months we have held a volunteer days on Fridays. Please contact us at manofarmers@gmail.com and give us a heads up if you are interested in helping out!

-Quin

[manofarm]

Do you guys give tours? I am a transplanted North Dakota farmer and would love to see how it's done here.

Hey there,

Please contact us through our email at manofarmers@gmail.com if you are interested in our tour rates.

-Quin

[manofarm]

Hello Shawn and Quin, I tried to contact you by email last November, let me dare to send you a new message. I'm Paul, a french student in environment sciences having a gap year to meet people involved in agroecological projects. I discovered the existence of Mano farm thanks to the good advices of Jared Zystro. Are you used to receive interns ? If so, I would be very pleased to talk with you of the eventuality of working a few weeks at your side. Best regards, Paul de La Grandville

Hey Paul, sorry, we don’t have any internships available at this point in time. Perhaps in the future!

-Quin

[manofarm]

I'm a bit late starting my Fall crop of seeds. Do you seedlings for sale? I can drive up to Ojai and pick up.

Hey, sorry, we don’t sell seedlings. I’d try Yes Yes Nursery at the Ojai Farmer’s Market, Sundays from 9 am to 1pm. 

-Quin