In case you hadn't heard, Illinois is in drought.
We have not had measurable rain for many many months. We started to feel this drought last year in August, when our only well failed us. For those CSA members who were with us in 2011, you may remember how we had to dig a new well? A $12000 new well. The new well is much deeper, 250 ft compared to 60 ft deep, and so far it is giving us the water we need to keep things alive. We just hope that there's still plenty of water down there. I'm sure there is!!!!
Our irrigation system consists of driptape aligned along the base of each plant giving the plant a slow drip over many hours. We have to pump water with an electric pump 24 hours a day. The water brought up is sufficient for growth and survival but is not as good as a rainfall to really get the crops thriving.
So that's "how's the farm." Plants are surviving but not thriving. They are tired, thirsty and f-ing hot. Todd and Joe are keeping their eyes peeled for the first sign of any plant disease since the plants are so susceptible right now.
Humans are feeling the same challenge. We have this amazing team of workers this year. They hardly complain and even have smiles for you after 5 hours in 100-degree sun. They are great and we could not pull any of this off without them. An organic farm beats to the rhythm of the human heart and we have big hearts on The Plot peppered with only the occasional cursing.
So is this heat situation the result of global warming? I don't know. Our friend and farmer Harry Carr from Mint Creek Farm thinks about this subject of climate change a lot. Please visit his blog for a quick run-through on climate change from a grass farmer's perspective:
http://mintcreekfarm.com/2012/07/backs-against-the-wall/
http://www.hideoutchicago.com/event/144325/
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