Just like that, the golden leaves have fallen and November is nearly done. December approaches, and the days are dark and wet, as they should be. Yet, there is a glorious, fiery sunrise now and then to surprise us. The Coopers Hawks have returned to chase away the Red-winged Blackbirds and the Golden-crowned Sparrows sing their melancholy songs from the shelter of the greenhouses, where they feast on tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber seeds. Yet there is still an abundance of food in the field. Today I harvested the last of the sweet, savoy spinach. The cauliflower and broccoli are finally finished, although a few heads remain for me. I’ve started the earliest wildflowers for building habitat (and my experimental native cutflower garden) and in January, I’ll fire-up the greenhouse heat mats and get the earliest non-wildflowers and vegetables going… I’d like to get tomatoes and peppers even earlier next summer.
Next week is the last pickup for 2025 CSA, and it will be a big haul! I have a little vacation planned for the first weekend of December… a yurt awaits on the central Oregon coast, for the King Tide. So, I’ll be begin harvesting on Wednesday to prepare for a double-load of fall produce. Whether you pick up on Saturday the 29th or Tuesday the 2nd, you’ll find Brussels sprouts, watermelon radishes, Romanesco cauliflower, pink radicchio, and much more.
I’ve put together a GoFundMe for my Vintage Tractor Electrification Project, because it’s going to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,000 for the electric motor conversion kit and batteries. I ended up doing all of the cultivation work by hand last summer, and if the improved tractor can do it for me, I’ll be freed-up to grow a lot more food. Plus it will be clean and green and I’ll be less tired! Rewards include printed canvas totes, native wildflower plants and seed bombs, and contributions of CSA shares for families-in-need. Read more at the link: Tractor Electrification Project. I’m hoping to purchase the kit in January, so we have time to get her up and running by planting time; if you are able to help with this project, I will be ever grateful.
I am extremely thankful for those who have already paid for 2026 and to those who have paid “tips” when they paid for their 2026 CSA shares. After covering card-processing costs, the balance of these funds will go toward funding no-cost CSA shares for families-in-need. To date, over $1,500 has gone into this pool, feeding 2+ families for the full 2026 season. All future “tips” paid at checkout will also be added to this pool, and I’ll round-up some before the season starts to connect even more folks with fresh, local produce. If you know of anyone who could use a CSA share next season, please let me know.
In addition to the 2026 CSA 28-week subscription, I’ve opened up a shorter, 2026 Just Summer CSA, for those who don’t enjoy the spring and fall shoulder seasons. I’ve also added a 10-week Flower Bouquet Subscription to the online store. And the 8-box Pantry-Builder Subscription is available too, if you’re not sure about committing to the whole season of pickups. Pickup options continue to be offered at the farm, in Columbia City and Skyway, and via the West Seattle, Burien, and North Seattle share-pools. Let me know if you have an idea for another share-pool! All subscribers will continue to have free access to the Cutflower Garden and subscriber-only Pumpkin Patch in season.
Thank you for being a part of my farm’s community, and for helping to build a community around this farm. I wouldn’t be here without you! And PLEASE, if you know someone who would benefit from a no-cost 2026 CSA share, please reach out to me!
I wish you a warm Thanksgiving with all who you call Family.
Shelley
Whistling Train Farm 