Rae lives and farms on Barr Farms with her family. She loves cooking healthy food, trying new things, deep conversations with friends, reading, learning, and playing, especially with her three children.
It's the earliest we've ever gotten all the Spring transplants into the ground.
That should be a good thing, right?
I suppose it is, but it's also worrisome.
Normally in Spring, we're waiting for a long enough dry spell for the soil to dry out enough to be able to plant. It's normally a muddy mess around here, and when we do get the elusive dry spell, it can sometimes be just a few hours in between when the soil is dry enough to plant, and the next rain is going to come.
This year has been different. Much of Kentucky is in an official drought. An April 21 report by Matt Dixon from University of Kentucky states:
"this represents the largest extent of drought coverage ever observed in Kentucky during the month of April. In fact, this is the first time on record that severe or extreme drought conditions have ever appeared during this month."
Let's repeat that: The first time on record we've had drought in Kentucky in April.
While things still look really good on the farm right now, farming with unprecedented weather patterns is a cause for concern. Last year around this time, our kids were out of school because of severe flooding.
We're farmers: we know how to adapt.
If you've been with us for awhile you know we've dug new ponds, invested in new irrigation, have a solar water pump, plant cover crops to help with keeping the soil moist... all the things. Adapting to continuing worsening weather patterns is concerning. We'll continue to adapt as best we can.... but we do need rain. The right balance of rain! We got just a little on Saturday, so we still need more.
We also appreciate your support as we move into this new era of farming. Knowing that so many of you support us continues to keep us going.... and we love growing food for you while taking care of the soil as best we can, in flood or in drought. Thank you.