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TL;DR

We harvested slicer tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and sunflowers then packed up the deliveries and electric van for market. We are inundated by tomatoes and thus hornworms too, but the chickens happily snack on them.

Tomato Overload

In this season, tomatoes are everywhere. After the harvest of slicer tomatoes from the field and greenhouse today, we had 43 trays of tomatoes. Each tray holds around 16-20 good-size tomatoes, which at current market price for organic varieties of $3.00 per pound means that each tray is worth between $50.00 and $70.00. So if it all sells (which it likely won’t), we’ll make around $2500.00 in one of these bountiful weeks off determinate and (mostly) indeterminate tomatoes. If we have four weeks of this kind of hot mess, it’s very likely that it will put a significant dent in the cap-ex of the new greenhouse this year.

This week the weather was full sun, average 75 degrees fahrenheit, humid, and then yesterday there was a hailstorm. As a result in the field today, many tomatoes were already peak ripe if you picked them and ate them right there, but this is not useful for a four-market schedule including CSA pickups and ad-hoc sales. Vine ripened simply means spoiled in the kitchen if you’re not growing them in your own back yard.

We harvest them just about every day, alternating between slicers and cherry varieties, and still there is not enough time to get them all to market in a manner that leaves them ripe for a few days in a customer’s home, only more than enough. So today, Jamie’s direction was to pick only firm tomatoes with some good color on them. The one’s I had to leave were only heartbreaking to my glutinous, greedy sensibilities.

As I sit here eating dehydrated tomatoes from last week with more in the dehydrator and too many to make salsa, sandwiches, and canned versions of, I remember that a great CSA isn’t just about an over rotation on a few fantastic moments. When done by people who know what they’re doing, it’s a transparent balance across a portfolio of crops throughout the a 6 month season (in New England, despite hailstorms) that only a very dedicated few can produce.

Hornworms Are a Menace

About ten years ago when I was deeply invested in gardening, some hornworms invaded my space and overnight destroyed the 6 tomato plants I lovingly cared for since February. On that day I swore I’d never grow tomatoes again and cursed the hornworms with all the spit and vile and hatred I had ready to muster. Since then, I’ve relaxed my ‘no tomatoes’ policy but viscerally remember what they can do to summer hope and joy.

Despite the current tomato bounty, I will always despise these little monsters. They are a menace to tomatoes, eating leaves, branches, fruits, and each other when confrontation demands. The best thing I can say about them is that if they didn’t exist at all, I’d be happier for it. Of course, they exist in larger numbers when attracted by our efforts to create very specialized arenas for their favorite food. But neither hornworm nor human can resist the fatale attraction to the sweet, sweet taste of tomatoes.

Meanwhile in the sunflowers, the bees don’t damage the flowers or their human overlords while we work side-by-side to make our nut. They tirelessly pollinate the plants they visit and produce an abundance of honey. It really makes me wonder if humans are like hornworms and less like bees…some far more than others but species is as species does.

In short, IMO, the best kind of hornworm is none at all. We collected them in a bucket and I fed them to the chickens as quickly as I could. The carnage was…satisfying.

Robots Take Jobs, Humans Cut Them

The one thing that AI will never do is taste a ripe, in-season tomato. Robots might pick and pack them, sort and chop them, analyze the sugar and acid levels in a crop distribution. But they will never enjoy the pleasure of imperfectly evolved taste buds meeting the curation of varieties for humans by other humans. They’ll read about it on countless recipe publications and video transcripts but they’ll never need tomatoes like humans do. Humans will never need technology like technology needs humans.

Technically, I don’t need a summary of what I just did, but it’s nice to have a record of the day’s events. I don’t need an organic, juicy sweet tomato to be happy. I need money to survive and wish that after 25 years of working in tech, someone with some basic sense would look for someone with that tenure…and AI experience. But all everyone in charge seems to care about is the bottom line.

I just like to share and wish I could, these tomatoes, with every human reader of this post at least once. It might remind them that people should grow and share the fruits of their labor with others.

AI Summary from Field Notes

Okay, the user provided two documents that each contain a summary of a farm-related project. My task is to consolidate these into a single summary covering main themes, activities, new things, questions, and suggested actions. Let me start by understanding each document's content. First document talks about a workday structure, team dynamics, and the farmer's absence. The intern observed the team's activities, noted the roles, and there were questions about task distribution and workflow. Suggested actions include documenting roles, observing the barn, comparing workflows, and interviewing the farmer. The second document covers farm work, pest management, organic farming, supply chain timing, and team dynamics. Activities include harvesting, processing, pest control, logistics, and observations. New things are hornworms, non-sellable produce, storage methods, and organic challenges. Questions involve hornworms as feed, organic pest control, tomato timing, excess production, and team size. Suggested actions are tracking hornworms, developing a harvest schedule, improving storage, training the team, and monitoring non-sellable produce. I need to merge these two into one coherent summary. Let me check for overlaps. Both documents mention team dynamics, farm work, and activities. The first has the farmer's absence, while the second has pest management and organic practices. The new things from the second document (hornworms, non-sellable produce) need to be included. The questions from both documents should be combined, and the suggested actions too. I should structure the summary by main themes, then activities, new things, questions, and actions. Make sure to integrate all points from both documents without repetition. For example, the farmer's absence in the first document is a specific aspect of team dynamics, so it can be included under that theme. The pest management and organic farming from the second document are separate themes. Check if there are any conflicting points or if something is missing. The first document's suggested actions are about documenting roles and interviewing the farmer, while the second's are about tracking hornworms and developing schedules. Both are important and should be included. Now, organize the information into the required sections, ensuring clarity and that all key points are covered. Avoid using markdown, just plain text with clear sections. Make sure the summary is concise but comprehensive, covering all the main themes, activities, new things, questions, and suggested actions from both documents.

Main Themes

Farm Operations: Harvesting and processing crops (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, sunflowers), sorting produce, and managing logistics.
Pest Management: Addressing hornworms as both a pest and a resource (chicken feed), emphasizing organic practices.
Organic Farming: Reliance on natural methods, excess production for supply chain flexibility, and ecological balance.
Supply Chain & Timing: Critical timing for tomato ripening, distribution to markets, and storage challenges.
Team Dynamics: Variability in team size, workflow efficiency, and the role of the intern in managing non-sellable produce.
Farmer Absence: Impact on team structure and workflow during periods when the farmer is unavailable.

Activities

Harvesting: Eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, sunflowers.
Processing: Washing, packing, sorting tomatoes (perfect vs. non-sellable), stacking for storage.
Pest Control: Removing hornworms, feeding them to chickens.
Logistics: Loading trucks, watering animals, documenting non-sellable produce.
Observations: Tracking ripeness, weather, and workflow efficiency.
Team Coordination: Adjusting to varying team sizes and roles.

New Things Encountered

Hornworms: A key pest in organic farming, with a unique role as chicken feed.
Non-Sellable Produce: The intern’s responsibility for sorting and redistributing unsellable items.
Storage Challenges: Preventing tomato spoilage through stacking methods.
Organic Trade-offs: Balancing pest control, yield, and supply chain flexibility in organic practices.
Farmer Absence Impact: How the absence of the farmer affects team structure and workflow.

Questions for Future Research

How effective is using hornworms as chicken feed? Are there ecological or health implications?
How do organic pest management practices compare to conventional methods in terms of yield and crop health?
Can a tomato harvest schedule be optimized to reduce waste and improve marketability?
What are the long-term implications of relying on excess production for supply chain flexibility?
How does team size variability affect farm productivity and workflow efficiency?
What role does the farmer’s absence play in team dynamics and task distribution?

Suggested Actions

Track Hornworm Data: Monitor hornworm removal and their use as chicken feed to assess impact on pest populations and animal health.
Develop a Tomato Harvest Schedule: Create a timeline based on ripeness and market demands to minimize waste.
Improve Storage Practices: Experiment with stacking methods or alternative storage solutions to prevent spoilage.
Train Team on Organic Practices: Educate workers on non-pesticide methods and the importance of excess production.
Establish a System for Non-Sellable Produce: Track and redistribute unsellable items to reduce waste and ensure ethical practices.
Document Team Roles: Record workflows and responsibilities during the farmer’s absence to improve efficiency.
Interview the Farmer: Gather insights on team dynamics and workflow adjustments during periods of absence.

Part 1

Okay, let's tackle this query. The user provided a transcript of field notes from a farm intern and wants me to identify main themes, list activities, new things encountered, questions for future research, and any suggested actions. First, I need to read through the transcript carefully. The intern talks about various tasks they did during the day: harvesting eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, moving them to the greenhouse, processing, dealing with hornworms, handling sunflowers, watering animals, and more. There's also mention of the importance of timing in tomato harvesting, the impact of pests in organic farming, and the need for excess produce to manage supply. Main themes would be farm work, pest management, organic farming, tomato timing, and supply chain logistics. The activities include harvesting different crops, processing tomatoes, dealing with pests, handling sunflowers, watering animals, and managing storage and distribution. New things encountered might be the specific pests like hornworms, the process of dealing with non-sellable produce, the role of timing in tomato ripening, and the logistics of the farm's supply chain. Questions for future research could be about the effectiveness of using hornworms as feed for chickens, the impact of organic farming on pest populations, optimizing tomato harvesting schedules, and the role of excess produce in the supply chain. Suggested actions might include documenting the hornworm-chicken interaction, studying the organic pest management strategies, developing a more efficient tomato harvesting schedule, and exploring ways to better manage excess produce. I need to make sure I didn't miss any key points. The intern mentions the importance of not taking non-sellable produce home, which is a detail about farm ethics. Also, the mention of the farm's team size during school season and the need to maximize time are important for future research. The intern also talks about the need for excess production in organic farming, which is a key point for research. I should structure the answer clearly, listing each section as per the user's request. Ensure that each part is distinct and covers all aspects mentioned in the transcript.

Main Themes

Farm Work and Crop Management: Harvesting and processing various crops (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, sunflowers).
Pest Management: Dealing with hornworms in organic farming, their impact on plants, and their use as feed for chickens.
Organic Farming Practices: No pesticides, reliance on excess production to manage pests and supply chain logistics.
Supply Chain and Timing: Importance of timing in tomato ripening, distribution to markets, and storage practices.
Farm Team Dynamics: Variability in team size (e.g., during school season) and the need for efficient workflow.

Activities the Intern Did

Harvesting:
- Eggplant (Italian and Japanese varieties).
- Peppers (bell peppers).
- Tomatoes (slicing tomatoes, greenhouse, and field).
- Sunflowers (harvesting, leaf removal, storage).
Processing:
- Washing, packing, and sorting tomatoes (perfect vs. non-sellable).
- Stacking tomatoes for storage to prevent spoilage.
- Redistributing full trays to avoid overloading.
Pest Control:
- Removing hornworms from plants (greenhouse and field).
- Feeding hornworms to chickens.
Logistics and Maintenance:
- Loading trucks for deliveries and market.
- Watering chickens and pigs.
- Documenting non-sellable produce for the intern.
Observations and Documentation:
- Counting trays of tomatoes.
- Noting the impact of weather (sunny, 75°F).

New Things Encountered

Hornworms: A specific pest affecting tomatoes, with a unique role in the farm’s ecosystem (food for chickens).
Non-Sellable Produce Management: The intern is responsible for sorting and handling “non-sellable” tomatoes, which are not taken home but redistributed.
Stackable Storage: A key logistical detail to prevent tomato spoilage by avoiding multiple layers.
Organic Farming Challenges: The trade-off between pest control (no pesticides) and the need for excess production to manage supply.

Questions and Future Research

Hornworm-Chicken Interaction: How effective is using hornworms as feed for chickens? Are there ecological or health implications?
Organic Pest Management: How do organic practices compare to conventional methods in terms of pest control and crop yield?
Tomato Harvest Timing: Can the farm optimize its tomato harvesting schedule to reduce waste and maximize marketability?
Excess Production in Organic Farming: What are the long-term implications of relying on excess produce for supply chain flexibility?
Team Size and Efficiency: How does the variability in farm team size (e.g., during school season) affect workflow and productivity?

Suggested Actions

Document Hornworm Data: Track the number of hornworms removed and their use as feed for chickens to assess their impact on pest populations and animal health.
Develop a Tomato Harvest Schedule: Create a timeline for harvesting tomatoes based on ripeness and market demands to minimize waste.
Improve Storage Practices: Experiment with stacking methods or alternative storage solutions to prevent tomato spoilage.
Train Team on Organic Practices: Educate farm workers on the importance of non-pesticide methods and the role of excess production in supply chain management.
Monitor Non-Sellable Produce: Establish a system for tracking and redistributing non-sellable produce to reduce waste and ensure ethical practices.

Part 2

Okay, let's see. The user provided a transcript from a farm intern's field notes. I need to identify the main themes, list the activities, new things encountered, questions for research, and any suggested actions. First, the main themes. The text mentions the date, the number of people working, and the farmer's absence. So the main themes would be the workday details, team dynamics, and the farmer's absence. Next, activities. The intern was working with a crew of six, but Jamie the farmer was at a market, so five people were working, and one was at the barn. So the activities would be the intern's tasks during the day, which are not explicitly listed, but the structure of the workday with different people involved. Maybe tasks like general farm work, maintaining the barn, and possible other tasks that the crew was doing. New things not yet encountered. The intern might have encountered the farmer's absence, the different roles in the crew, and maybe the specific tasks that were done when the farmer wasn't there. But the text doesn't mention any new things, just the structure of the day. Maybe the intern is learning about the team's coordination when the farmer is away. Questions for research. The intern might be wondering about the impact of the farmer's absence on the workflow, how the remaining workers managed tasks, or the specific roles of the people at the barn. Also, maybe how the team divides responsibilities when the farmer isn't there. Suggested actions. The intern might need to observe the team's workflow when the farmer is absent, document the tasks each person is doing, and maybe check in with the farmer after the market to see how the day went. Wait, the user said to list the activities the intern did. The transcript doesn't mention specific tasks, just the number of people and the farmer's absence. So maybe the activities are the intern's participation in the farm tasks, but the exact activities aren't detailed. The intern is part of the crew, so they might have been involved in general maintenance, monitoring the barn, or other tasks that are typical for the farm. New things: The intern might have encountered the dynamics of the team when the farmer is away, or the specific tasks that the person at the barn was doing. But since the text is brief, maybe there's not much new. The intern might not have encountered any new things yet, just the structure of the day. Questions: The intern might want to know how the team adapts when the farmer is away, what tasks are prioritized, or how the person at the barn contributes. Also, maybe the intern is curious about the farmer's schedule and how it affects the team. Suggested actions: The intern could document the team's activities when the farmer is absent, note the tasks each person is handling, and maybe plan to observe more when the farmer is away to understand the workflow better. I need to make sure I'm not missing any parts. The main themes are the workday, team size, and the farmer's absence. Activities are the intern's role in the team, the structure of the day with the farmer away. New things are the team dynamics and the specific tasks when the farmer isn't there. Questions are about the impact of the farmer's absence, team roles, and how tasks are handled. Suggested actions are to observe and document the team's workflow during the farmer's absence.

Main Themes:

Workday Structure: The intern documented the day’s activities, including the number of crew members and the farmer’s absence.
Team Dynamics: The crew size fluctuated due to the farmer’s departure, affecting roles and responsibilities.
Farmer’s Absence: Jamie the farmer was absent for part of the day, impacting the team’s workflow.

Activities the Intern Did:

Assisted in general farm tasks (not explicitly detailed, but implied by the crew’s activities).
Collaborated with the crew of five, with one person stationed at the barn.
Observed the team’s coordination during the farmer’s absence.

New Things Not Yet Encountered:

The specific roles of the person at the barn (e.g., maintenance, animal care, or other tasks).
How the crew adapts to the farmer’s absence (e.g., task delegation, workflow adjustments).

Questions and Future Research Areas:

How does the team distribute tasks when the farmer is absent?
What specific responsibilities does the person at the barn have?
How does the farmer’s absence affect the overall workflow and productivity?
Are there patterns in the crew’s tasks when the farmer is unavailable?

Suggested Actions:

Document Team Roles: Note the specific tasks each crew member is responsible for when the farmer is absent.
Observe Barn Activities: Track the person at the barn to understand their role and how it contributes to the farm’s operations.
Compare Workflows: Compare the day’s activities with days when the farmer is present to identify differences in team dynamics.
Interview the Farmer: After the market, ask Jamie about his schedule and how the team managed the day without him.

August 28th - The Best Kind of Hornworm Is None At All