Tropical depression Felicia ended up being a mild wind and rain event giving us a much needed 1.4 inches of rain on the 12th. The following week Guillermo’s remnants gave us even more, contributing to a monthly total of 4.6 inches; which took some pressure off irrigation and kept the dust down and topsoil in place. Just prior to Felicia’s arrival, when winds started picking up to around 35 M.P.H., the entire gardens were irrigated to prevent the dry topsoil from blowing away.

PESTS/DISEASE
Overall, the dry summer conditions have kept the mold and mildew in check. Wild jungle fowl remain our most tenacious animal pests.

SUCCESSES
Tours have remained consistent and have even grown throughout the economic downturn of the past year.

LABOR
High school “super kid” Devin Eagan has moved on to college at Humboldt. His part time shifts have been replaced with local boy Christopher Grasa who is expected to train in the kitchen to back up Sean and deliver Thursdays’ harvests.

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES/INFRASTRUCTURE
Equipment is being maintained but we need a lot of gas to operate the machinery.

It requires 20 - 25 man hours/week to keep the grass cut in peak season at the farm with those small residential push mowers. A commercial rider/mower could ease the burden and easily pay for itself now that the kukuya grass has established itself.