Fred De Long

The Old Salt

October 29, 2020 By Fred De Long

Excerpt from The Wild Carrot, October 27, 2020, a weekly newsletter from staff to Rushton Farm CSA members.)

*Noah and Owen Gress celebrating his first arugula planting. Photo by Fred de Long/Staff*

I love the picture above because I have never seen Noah as happy as he is when he is in the company of his son Owen. I have had the privilege of farming with Noah for the last twenty years and we have seen and experienced a lot in those twenty years. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have seen Noah settle down, buy a house, and spend his free time enjoying the company of his wonderful family. Of course, it was not always that way….

Noah and I first crossed paths in the early nineties on Martha’s Vineyard. Noah was working at Solviva farm and greenhouse in West Tisbury while I was working on boats sailing out of Vineyard Haven. At that time, the Vineyard still had a somewhat rustic appeal and you could have beach party’s or camp out in cabins where you felt removed from the tourists who frequented the Island. Those who worked on the Vineyard and year-round “Islanders” knew all the great spots to hang out and fun places to go. There were a lot of fun times and crazy stories. Noah and I socialized in some of the same circles but never met.

Noah left the Vineyard in the late nineties and returned to West Chester where he showed up at Pete’s Produce Farm one day looking for land to farm. I was in my first year managing Pete’s Produce Farm and we (along with Pete) agreed that having a young organic farmer working some of the lands would be beneficial to the growing business. It was not long before Noah and I were sharing stories about the Vineyard, farming, and life in general. We hit it off immediately and have been working together, and telling stories, ever since.

Telling stories. That is where The Old Salt title comes in. Little known fact, while on the Vineyard Noah was also a licensed commercial fisherman. An “old salt” is a sailor or fisherman who is a raconteur or teller of stories. These individuals often keep the history of an area by recanting stories of past times and events. Ever since I first met Noah he has regaled me with stories ranging from boating misadventures to farm misadventures (we both have a lot of stories about misadventures). We have cataloged many stories over the last twenty years and the Rushton Farm Staff gets to hear them regularly. All the time. Nearly every day (ok every day) Noah and Fred tell stories of their past much to the amusement, ok, sometimes frustration, of a staff that occasionally shows interest but often just wants to eat lunch or go home. “The Chelsea shuffle” is named for the way Chelsea Allen would slowly move away as stories got longer and longer hoping we would not notice as she tried to get away. Now, The Purple Chill takes a different approach, and just says “I’m going home, feel free to keep talking”.

The reality is that Noah and I have learned a lot from the “old salts” who entertained us as we grew up. We have also learned a lot about each other after twenty years in the field. Noah is my brother in farming and life and I am lucky to have had him by my side through the good and the bad. This season has proven a challenge from the beginning but I knew if anyone could make it work it would be Noah. Thanks, Noah for all you have done during this difficult season. Of course, I am quite sure the “old salt” will turn the events of this season into some entertaining banter in the future. Look out, 2021 interns.

-Fred

*Noah showing his skill at helping kids farm. I assume he is telling this child not to throw the potatoes. Photo by Fred de Long/Staff.*

The Wonder Twins

August 28, 2020 By Fred De Long

Excerpt from The Wild Carrot, August 25, 2020, a weekly newsletter from staff to Rushton Farm CSA members.)

*Abby, Anna and Molly harvesting, of course, Magic Molly purple potatoes. Photo by Noah Gress/Staff.*

It was a warm day in mid-June and summer was right around the corner when Abby and Anna showed up to volunteer at Rushton Farm. Rushton had been bringing in regular volunteers for a few weeks and we were still working on the logistics for work precautions and social distancing. Volunteers were generally working alone and communication was limited as staff worked independently from the volunteers. That all changed the day Abby and Anna arrived.

On that mid-June “Just Show Up” volunteer Wednesday Abby rolled into the parking lot, hopped out of her car, and sauntered over with a smile to say she was here to volunteer. Anna pulled in a short while later (driving a little bit slower) and with a similar enthusiastic smile jumped right into work in the field. Both Abby and Anna showed no fear in attacking weeds and planting endless crops. They also worked comfortably with the Rushton Staff, who until their arrival had been keeping isolated. In these times where precaution is a constant focus, it was refreshing to see two 17-year-old rising seniors smile and laugh while working hard alongside seasoned farm veterans. From that first day on, Abby and Anna became part of the Rushton Farm Staff.

Abby Oswald harvesting tomatoes at Rushton Farm. Photo by Jennifer Mathes

While Anna became a committed volunteer putting in many hours of hard work on the farm, we found that Abby wouldn’t leave the farm. Really! She showed up at 9 am every morning and left when the senior staff left, took lunch with the senior staff, and put in the same hours as the senior staff. By July Rushton Farm had hired its youngest full time paid intern in Abby Oswald.

Intern, Abby Oswald, at Rushton Farm. Photo by Jennifer Mathes

Through this summer Abby and Anna have been a constant source of positive energy and hope. Every day Abby shows up with a smile and a no-fear attitude. She has worked alongside the senior staff not missing a beat and following instruction closely. It is when Abby and Anna are working together that the farm is most alive. Two high school seniors laughing and bantering about school, swimming, and life while working in the field. Their energy is contagious and it makes you forget about current conditions and appreciate being outside, working on a farm, and enjoying the company of those around you.

Next week Abby and Anna leave the fields of Rushton and head back to school. They will be missed. They leave behind an example that when things get tough when your summer plans are canceled when the future is uncertain, you still have to move forward and keep a positive frame of mind. They both came to Rushton and we, and the farm, are better for it. Abby and Anna, good luck in the upcoming year and always remember that Rushton Farm is right around the corner.

So are the weeds. If you want to sneak out of your virtual classes and come back to the farm we won’t tell anyone.

-Fred

Abby Oswald will start her senior year at Great Valley High School. She is an avid swimmer who enjoys the outdoors and has a great work ethic.

Anna McNaull will start her senior year at West Chester East High School. Always upbeat and with a constant smile, Anna saw Rushton as an opportunity to get out and spend some time during her summer working on a farm.

Why Donating is Important

June 29, 2020 By Fred De Long

Excerpt from The Wild Carrot, June 23, 2020, a weekly newsletter from staff to Rushton Farm CSA members.)

Family Planting

*Katerina and Fred delivering first donation to West Chester Food Cupboard 2020.*

Last week was our first big harvest with the spring vegetables finally making an appearance. With the abundance of produce coming out of the fields I wanted to take the opportunity to have our family take the first food donation to the West Chester Food Cupboard. Lisa Kiziuk (Bird Conservation Director, UPenn Professor, College Ref, Master of All), Katerina (precocious teen), and I (happy farmer) gathered up 70lbs of fresh vegetables harvested by the tremendous Rushton Farm Staff and headed to the Cupboard to provide produce to members of our community who need it most in these uncertain times.

I realized the importance of our donation when the staff at the West Chester Food Cupboard welcomed our delivery after closing hours. We were greeted with the smiling faces (behind masks) of volunteers who make sure the donated food gets to the people who rely on it. Being able to share this experience with Katerina made me understand why I became a farmer. A farmer’s primary job is to provide. Provide not just to those who can afford food, but those who cannot.

Of course, you do not need to have a farm to provide food for area food banks. If you have a garden consider donating a portion of your harvest. If you do not, consider donating healthy canned goods or volunteering time at a food bank. As always, you can donate your CSA pick-up. All food left at the end of a pick-up day is donated to the West Chester Food Cupboard.

I do think that it is important to share any of these efforts with your kids. My parents involved me in food donation at an early age and it has impacted me ever since. Over the past 10 years, Katerina has helped plant, harvest, and donate food and I would hope it has given her some insight into helping others.

Of course, right now she is helping her friends load up the car for a trip to the shore. Seems about right for a 17 year old rising senior. We still have the rest of the summer to get her into the field and back to the food bank. I can hear her exhausted sigh from here.

-Fred

*First drop off at the West Chester Food Cupboard 2009. Photo by Fred de Long/Staff.*

*Katerina planting apple trees at Rushton 2009. Photo by Fred de Long/Staff.*

Feeding Our Community

May 27, 2020 By Fred De Long

(Excerpt from The Wild Carrot, April 21, 2020, a weekly newsletter from staff to Rushton Farm CSA members.)

Share the Bounty

Food insecurity in the United States is always a problem. In these uncertain times, food insecurity has moved front and center as a primary issue that needs to be addressed immediately. There has been a call to action for farmers to prioritize the need for food donations as they start their season. As we begin planting it is with full knowledge that we need to maximize production so that those facing food insecurity can benefit from the fresh fruits and vegetables we grow.

From the first stages of planning for Rushton Farm, we understood that as a community farm we had an obligation to make sure a significant portion of what we grew went to those in need. The Share the Bounty program was established to work with local food banks to see how Rushton Farm could best meet the needs of our local community. Between 12% and 15% of what is grown at Rushton goes to area food banks including the West Chester Food Cupboard and the Chester County Food Bank. That amounts to 3,500 to 4,000 pounds of food a year. Since Rushton Farm began, over 35,000 pounds of fresh produce has been donated.

Through this season, Rushton Farm is significantly expanding the Share the Bounty program. Our goal is to donate over 5,000 pounds of produce to those facing food insecurity issues. Our donation garden, Henry’s Garden is expanding. We are sharing plants with area gardeners with the intent that the food they grow is donated. We will be collaborating with area farmers on how, as a community, we can best utilize our efforts. We will be working with area organizations to find support for donation programs. As this crisis continues, Rushton Farm will continue to reach out to those in need and use our tremendous resources to feed our community.

Farm staff hard at work pounding stakes this spring. Photo by Fred de Long

Positive Vibes

Once in a while you get shown the light

In the strangest of places if you look at it right

During uncertain times, it is so important to keep positive. This is especially true in farming where long hours and heavy labor can wear on those in the field. I have been so proud of the energy and exuberance that Molly, Noah, and Eliza have brought to the fields at Rushton. We have been shorthanded all season, but the effort put out by the Rushton Farm Staff has been nothing short of incredible. Molly’s constant smile, Noah’s wit, and wisdom and Eliza’s cheerful nature (while keeping 20 feet of social distancing) have helped the farm thrive. My own physical and mental health has benefited greatly by these amazing people. I have not felt this good about a season in years.

With that said, the real work starts this week and while I am going to be spending time in the field, I may have lost a step or two in my aged body. This week Caitlin Welsh returns to the Rushton Farm Staff to pick up my slack, and she is a welcome sight. Always upbeat and full of energy, Caitlin brings another ray of sunshine to the fields of Rushton. Caitlin is a triple threat being an accomplished birder, an educator and she knows her way around a farm. She will be a great addition as we start planting broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and six thousand onions this week. I am excited to start work in the field with such a talented staff (excited for the comradery, not so much the labor).

The Rushton Farm Staff is looking forward to the end of May when we can see our loyal community members and share our joy in a new season. Stay well.

Fred

Plants Want to Live

April 20, 2020 By Fred De Long

(Excerpt from The Wild Carrot, April 3, 2020, a weekly newsletter from staff to Rushton Farm CSA members.)

*Molly seeding away in the greenhouse, day after day. Photo by Fred de Long/Staff*

Plants want to live. It is a simple statement said to a 17-year-old teen named Freddy de Long when he forgot to turn on the fans in a greenhouse on a warm spring day. The greenhouse manager had walked in to find 40,000 seedlings in various stages of wilt in a 120-degree atmosphere. Freddy was summoned from the field and was apoplectic at the sight. Sure that he had ruined the season he apologized deeply and prepared to pack up his things and head home. That is when Marley, the greenhouse manager, said, “Relax Freddy, plants want to live. Turn on the fans, soak them with water, and don’t ever let it (expletive) happen again”. I watered and it worked, the plants were revived. What looked like the end of a season was the beginning of a great one as the revived plants made for a very productive season.

I have been thinking of that experience as we enter a new season at an uncertain time. Over 30,000 plants are growing in the greenhouse as we plant the first peas in the field. The garlic in the field looks great as the first carrots break through the cool soil. Lettuce, greens, broccoli and cabbage stretch as they prepare their trip from greenhouse to soil next week. It is a time of rebirth and the sight of it all is calming in this stressful period. It revives your spirit and makes you appreciate life around you.

I say all of this because Molly, Noah and I are thinking of our Rushton family as we work to grow food for the upcoming season. Our CSA members and Rushton Farm volunteers are deeply missed and we look forward to the end of May and the start of the season when we once again can gather and share in a glorious season of food, friends, and family. We all want to live as we lived before. It will take some time, but soon we will be sharing the bounty of Rushton Farm as a community. Until then we will be sharing what is going on at Rushton Farm through our weekly edition of The Wild Carrot every Tuesday. I hope that this will help our community share in the farm experience as the farm awakens and a new season is born.

Summer is coming.