caption goes here

TL;DR

We harvested eggplant, basil, and squash, then worked on adjustments to fencing to protect the fall crops from deer. As I round the corner on my first full season, I feel like I can understand better why we do certain things throughout the year at the times we do them.

A Tale of Two Eggplants

In the early summer, May 14th to be precise, we planted eggplant in the main field. This was where I learned to wear gloves if using a trowel otherwise strange blisters appear at places on your hands where the pressure and pivot points of the trowel repeatedly rub against. But a longer lesson had yet to be learned, one of intra-crop diversity.

We have multiple varieties, long Japanese and a few Italian varieties, but the first two rows that went in earlier than the others weren’t covered and sustained significant early pest damage. Subsequently as all of the 6 rows developed, we regularly took 30 minutes as a group to squish the beetles and their orange eggs once a week or so to keep the pest population in check. This helped a lot and the rest of the rows grew well.

This is an example of why intra-crop diversity, not only in types of the same crop but also in the way we manage them, can be so important. If one variety doesn’t do well, you stand a better chance of having the others make up for it. This is a lesson that will serve me well as I continue to grow and learn.

De-fence-ive Postures

Also in April, I was tasked with baiting the electric fences surrounding the main fields with peanut butter so that the deer would be trained to avoid the area. Doing this later again in the hot, buggy July summertime was not fun but necessary and I do what is needed, period.

Over the past month, we’ve noticed some deer damage (even through row cover) to the late-summer lettuce crop in the top field where our fall share crops will all go. We’ve been using the electric fence to keep them out, but it’s not always effective enough by itself. Just about everything transplanted in this field already has row cover on it and our day-time temperatures have averaged out so that there are no hot days anymore.

These deer don’t care about eggplant, tomatoes, squash, or peppers or even chard, kale, or leeks. They want tender, leafy things like lettuce and carrot tops, which is exactly what we have in the top field. So, Jamie had us all take fence equipment from other areas of the field that don’t need the protection anymore in order to consolidate the electric fence down to just the top field (approx. 1 acre of plantable rows). Then we pushed and pounded the fiberglass poles around the rest of the top field and ran electric wire around the new perimeter.

We also added another single-wire fence around and 3 feet away from the 4-wire main fence using pigtail posts left over from the cow equipment (now that the last of those are back to Seaview). The idea is that, even if a deer can get under or through one fence, having multiple horizontal touch points from layers as they move through it will make it harder for them to want to get through.

After we did this work, Jamie the farm operator walked and talked us through how much has already been put into this field, which to me was a great way to implicitly explain to us why all the work to adjust the fencing is so important to ensuring that the fall crops (and thus the CSA business) are successful. Some things don’t need questions, they just need observation and patience to learn from.

Weekend Work and Play

This weekend, I get to go to my first soccer game of the youth season with my kiddo, which could also be the last one ever. They really have been feeling like it’s time for a change from soccer to something else.

I also hope to upgrade Immich in my homelab as there are many features and bug fixes I’d like to pull forward between versions 1.119 and 1.141. Because there are often breaking changes to significant version differences, both in the primary software and underlying support components like Redis and PostgreSQL, it’s important to plan these upgrades carefully and read ALL the release notes between versions. It’s also really important to have a backup and DR (disaster recovery) plan in place per major component in your homelab (or enterprise infrastructure for that matter). Now you can see why I put it off, but I’m finally doing it.

Finally, an old friend and boss of mine from the early days in my career called last week and we scheduled some time to catch up while he’s in New England this year. It’ll be good to reconnect and catch up on all the things that have been going on in my life.

AI Summary from Field Notes

I do like when, occasionally, the LLM-driven summaries and specifically the questions I ask it to pose solely based on a transcript of my field notes come out spot-on. For instance:

What criteria determine which “cast-offs” are distributed to animals?

There’s a lot of farm (more specifically nature-related) processes that necessarily include ambiguity. It’s not even the process-as-designed or a lack of resources that makes it so, it’s just that not all knowledge about one thing translates easily to another. For instance, the criteria of whether to chuck a potato vs. a tomato is very different…because these crops are so different in their biology, composition, storing methods, and handling techniques. Coincidentally, which types of cast-offs and their damage condition also play a part in deciding whether it goes to the pigs and/or chickens or instead deserves a life as compost. It’s all ‘deep context’ that I can’t wait to hack and research on this winter.

But when my AI-driven process catches something I myself would ask, the nature and even the phrasing, I feel like I’m getting the whole thing a bit closer to my goal for this part of the whole project. It feels just a tiny bit magical, from magic I harnessed and crafted into my own personal fidget spinner.

Summary

Okay, the user wants me to distill the given summaries into a consolidated version. Let me start by looking at the two documents provided. First document talks about agricultural work, fall share preparation, field management, deer protection, and environmental monitoring. The activities include washing bins, harvesting, processing, surveying, fencing, and monitoring. New things are fall share, specific crops, row cover, fencing method, and temperature monitoring. Questions are about the process of electrifying fencing, farmer's market logistics, surplus distribution, tracking surplus, coordination with Jamie. Suggested actions include standardizing surplus distribution, monitoring fencing, optimizing market prep, tracking feed/water, improving team coordination, evaluating waste. Second document is about farm infrastructure, animal care, farm operations, resource management. Activities include lunch, fencing work, packing bags, van prep, feeding animals, loading Gator, tasks by 3 PM. New things are farmer's market logistics, electrification process, surplus distribution, tracking surplus, coordination with Jamie. Questions are about electrification process, market schedule impact, surplus criteria, tracking surplus, long-term impact of using surplus for feed, team coordination. Suggested actions are standardizing surplus, monitoring fencing, optimizing market prep, tracking feed, improving coordination, evaluating waste. Now, I need to combine these into a final summary. The user probably wants the main themes, activities, new things, questions, and suggested actions all in one cohesive summary without the bullet points. I need to make sure that all key points from both documents are included, but organized logically. Let me check for overlaps. Both documents mention fencing, surplus management, farmer's market, and coordination with team members. The first document has more about fall share, environmental monitoring, and deer protection. The second has more about animal care, feed distribution, and van prep. I should structure the summary by main themes, then activities, new things, questions, and suggested actions. Make sure each section is clear and concise, using the key points from both documents. Avoid repetition. For example, both documents mention surplus, so I can combine that. Also, the suggested actions from both documents need to be merged. Let me ensure that all the main points are covered without missing any important details. Finally, present it in a clear, structured way that's easy to read.

Consolidated Summary

Main Themes:

Agricultural Operations: Fall share preparation, field management, and environmental monitoring (e.g., temperature tracking for crops).
Farm Infrastructure: Fencing electrification, farmer’s market logistics, and logistical tasks (e.g., van packing, feed/water distribution).
Animal Care: Feeding and watering pigs and chickens, managing surplus food for animals, and surplus distribution criteria.
Resource Management: Tracking feed/water usage, surplus management, and coordination with team members (e.g., Jamie).

Key Activities Performed:

Completed fencing work (electrification of first layer, second layer pending).
Packed 16 bags (contents unspecified) and shared them.
Packaged the electric van for the farmer’s market at True North on Thursdays.
Watered pigs and chickens, including distributing sunflowers to chickens.
Loaded the Gator with feed and water for the next day to assist Jamie.
Completed tasks by 3:00 PM, leaving for the market.

New Things Not Yet Encountered:

Farmer’s market logistics (schedule, preparation, and role in surplus management).
Electrification process for fencing (wiring, testing, safety protocols).
Surplus distribution criteria (which “cast-offs” go to pigs vs. chickens).
Tracking surplus from the fridge beyond the market.
Coordination with Jamie for tasks like fencing and van prep.

Questions for Future Research:

What is the exact process for electrifying fencing?
How does the farmer’s market schedule impact surplus management?
What criteria determine which “cast-offs” are distributed to animals?
How is surplus from the fridge tracked and managed beyond the market?
What is the long-term impact of using market surplus for animal feed?
How does the intern coordinate tasks with Jamie for efficiency?

Suggested Actions:

Standardize Surplus Distribution: Create a system to categorize and label “cast-offs” for consistent animal feed.
Monitor Fencing Electrification: Document the process for the first layer to ensure completion by night.
Optimize Market Prep: Develop a schedule for van packing and task delegation (e.g., Jamie’s role).
Track Feed/Water Usage: Maintain a log of quantities loaded into the Gator to align with animal needs.
Improve Team Coordination: Clarify roles (e.g., Jamie’s responsibilities) to streamline tasks like fencing and market prep.
Evaluate Waste Management: Analyze surplus frequency and volume to identify efficiency improvements.

Part 1

Okay, let's tackle this query. The user provided a transcript of field notes from a farm intern and wants the main themes, activities, new things, questions, and suggestions. First, I need to parse through the transcript carefully. The intern talks about their day, so I'll start by identifying the main activities. They mention lunch, fencing work, packing bags, preparing the electric van, watering pigs and chickens, and loading the Gator with feed. That's the list of activities. Next, the main themes. The intern is working on fencing, which is part of the farm's infrastructure. They're also involved in preparing for the farmer's market, which involves packing the van and managing the farm's waste. Also, there's the aspect of animal care, like feeding and watering pigs and chickens. The mention of the farmer's market schedule and the distribution of food to animals might be a theme related to farm operations and resource management. Now, new things not yet encountered. The intern mentions the farmer's market at True North on Thursdays, which is a specific event. They also talk about the electrification of fencing, which might be a new task for them. The process of preparing the van for the market and the logistics of transporting goods could be new. Also, the specific details about the farmer's market schedule and how the farm manages its waste and surplus produce might be new things they haven't encountered before. For questions and future research, the intern might be curious about the exact process of electrifying the fencing, how the farmer's market affects the farm's operations, the impact of the schedule on the animals' feeding, and the long-term effects of using the farmer's market surplus. Maybe they wonder about the efficiency of the current waste management system or how the farm handles surplus produce beyond the market. Suggestions could include organizing the farmer's market logistics better, ensuring the fencing is properly electrified, and improving the distribution of surplus to animals. Also, maybe tracking the effectiveness of the current waste management system. I need to make sure I didn't miss any details. The intern also mentions the Gator being used for feeding, which is a vehicle. The mention of "cast-offs" and "stuff that comes out of the fridge" might be specific to the farm's surplus. Also, the intern is involved in both physical tasks and logistical planning. The farmer's market schedule is a key point, so that's a recurring theme. I think that's all. Now, structure the answer into the requested sections.

Main Themes:

Farm Infrastructure and Maintenance: Fencing work (electrification, completion), preparing for the farmer’s market, and logistical tasks (van packing, feed/water distribution).
Animal Care: Feeding and watering pigs and chickens, managing surplus food for animals.
Farm Operations and Logistics: Scheduling for the farmer’s market, managing surplus produce, and coordinating tasks with team members (e.g., Jamie).
Resource Management: Distributing “cast-offs” (used or expired goods) to animals, managing feed and water for the next day.

Activities Performed by the Intern:

Had lunch.
Completed additional fencing work (electrification of the first layer tonight, second layer pending).
Packed 16 bags (specific contents unclear) and shared them.
Packaged the electric van for the farmer’s market at True North on Thursdays.
Watered pigs and chickens, including distributing sunflowers to chickens.
Loaded the Gator with feed and water for the next day (to assist Jamie).
Completed tasks by 3:00 PM, leaving for the market.

New Things Not Yet Encountered:

Farmer’s Market Logistics: Specific details about the market (True North, Thursdays) and the role of the intern in preparing for it.
Electrification Process: The technical steps for electrifying fencing (first layer tonight, second layer tomorrow).
Surplus Management: The system for categorizing and distributing “cast-offs” (expired or low-quality goods) to animals.
Farm Vehicle Usage: The Gator’s role in transporting feed and water, and its use in daily operations.
Farm Waste Management: The process of handling surplus produce from markets and the fridge, including its distribution to animals.

Questions and Future Research Areas:

What is the exact process for electrifying the fencing (e.g., wiring, testing, safety protocols)?
How does the farmer’s market schedule (Thursdays, Saturdays) affect the farm’s operations and surplus management?
What criteria determine which “cast-offs” are distributed to pigs and chickens?
How is the surplus from the fridge (e.g., leftover food) tracked and managed beyond the market?
What is the long-term impact of using the farmer’s market surplus for animal feed?
How does the intern coordinate tasks with Jamie (e.g., fencing, van prep) to ensure efficiency?

Suggested Actions:

Standardize Surplus Distribution: Create a checklist or system to categorize and label “cast-offs” for consistent distribution to animals.
Monitor Fencing Electrification: Ensure the first layer is fully electrified by night and document the process for future reference.
Optimize Farmer’s Market Prep: Develop a schedule for van packing and task delegation (e.g., Jamie’s role in the morning).
Track Feed and Water Usage: Keep a log of feed/water quantities loaded into the Gator to ensure alignment with daily animal needs.
Improve Communication with Team Members: Clarify roles (e.g., Jamie’s responsibilities) to streamline tasks like fencing and market prep.
Evaluate Waste Management Efficiency: Analyze the frequency and volume of surplus produce to identify areas for improvement.

Part 2

Okay, let's start by reading through the transcript carefully. The user wants me to identify the main themes, list the activities the intern did, note any new things they encountered, and figure out any questions or future research areas. Also, there might be suggestions for actions. First, the main themes. The intern is working on a farm, so the primary theme is agricultural work. They mention different tasks like washing bins, harvesting various crops, and preparing for the fall share. There's also a focus on protecting the top field from deer, which is a key issue. The intern is also discussing the planning and management of the fields, which is another theme. Next, the activities. The intern started by washing bins and eggs. Then they harvested eggplant, basil, summer squash, and sunflowers. They took the harvested items back to the barn, washed some, binned others, and refrigerated them. They then went back to the field for a project related to the fall share, which involves planting and managing different crops. They also discussed the fencing around the top field to protect it from deer and the importance of the temperature for leafy greens. Now, new things not yet encountered. The intern mentions the fall share, which is a new concept for them. They also talk about specific crops like salad turnips, daikon radishes, and various leafy greens that are part of the fall share. The fencing method with spikes and electrified fences is a new technique they're using. Also, the row cover for the top field is a new thing they're implementing. Questions and future research areas. The intern is concerned about deer damage to the top field and the effectiveness of the new fencing. They mention the need to monitor the temperature and how it affects the plants, possibly leading to bolting. They also talk about the importance of the fall share and how to ensure the top field is maintained properly. Maybe they want to research the best times to plant certain crops for the fall share or the optimal fencing methods. Suggested actions. The intern is already taking actions like reinforcing the fence around the top field, using electrified fencing, baiting the fence with peanut butter, and monitoring the temperature. They also mention the need to continue planting and managing the fields, and maybe checking the effectiveness of the fencing and the plants' response to the temperature. Wait, I need to make sure I didn't miss any details. The intern also talks about the structure of the fields into different areas (top, middle, bottom) and the need to consolidate fencing. They mention the row cover and the importance of temperature for leafy greens. The new things include the row cover, the specific crops for the fall share, the fencing method, and the temperature monitoring. The questions are about the effectiveness of the fencing, the impact of temperature on plants, and the success of the fall share. The actions are the fence work, planting, monitoring, and maintenance.

Main Themes:

Agricultural Work and Crop Management: Harvesting, washing, and bining crops (eggplant, basil, summer squash, sunflowers, etc.).
Fall Share Preparation: Planning and planting for the fall share, focusing on leafy greens and other fall crops.
Field Management: Dividing fields into sections (top, middle, bottom) and managing them for different crops.
Deer Protection: Addressing deer damage to the top field through fencing and deterrents.
Environmental Monitoring: Ensuring optimal conditions (temperature, fencing) for crop growth.

Activities the Intern Did:

Washed bins and eggs.
Harvested eggplant, basil, summer squash, and sunflowers.
Took harvested crops to the barn, washed some, binned others, and refrigerated them.
Surveyed the field to assess planting progress for the fall share.
Consolidated fencing around the top field to protect it from deer.
Installed electrified fencing with additional barriers (spikes and string).
Baited the fence with peanut butter.
Monitored the field for crop growth and maintenance.

New Things Not Yet Encountered:

Fall Share: A seasonal crop collection/production plan for the fall.
Specific Fall Crops: Salad turnips, daikon radishes, and other leafy greens for the fall share.
Row Cover Technique: Using a protective cover for the top field to shield plants.
Fencing Method: Electrified fencing with spikes and string for deer deterrence.
Temperature Monitoring: Ensuring optimal conditions for leafy greens (avoiding bolting).

Questions and Future Research Areas:

Effectiveness of Fencing: How effective is the combined electrified and spike fencing in keeping deer away?
Temperature Impact: Will the current temperature conditions (and potential fluctuations) prevent bolting in leafy greens?
Fall Share Success: Can the top field’s maintenance ensure a successful fall share?
Crop Rotation/Planting Timing: What is the optimal timing for planting different crops for the fall share?
Fencing Longevity: How durable is the new fencing method over time, and will it require maintenance?

Suggested Actions:

Continue reinforcing the top field’s fence with electrified barriers and peanut butter bait.
Monitor the temperature and adjust crop management if conditions change.
Expand planting efforts for the fall share, ensuring variety and proper spacing.
Document the field’s progress and adjust fencing or planting strategies as needed.
Research or test alternative deer deterrents (e.g., plants, sounds) if fencing proves insufficient.

September 11th - A Tale of Two Eggplants and De-fence-ive Postures

TL;DR

A Tale of Two Eggplants

De-fence-ive Postures

Weekend Work and Play

AI Summary from Field Notes

Summary

Part 1

Part 2

Enjoy Reading This Article?