Agriculture

If you, like me, are “sheltering in place,” perhaps you are experiencing a similar sense of dislocation. What was once familiar now seems tinged with strangeness. What was once comforting and safe now seems fraught with risk. Take the passage... Read More ›

When a New Yorker is dying every 10 minutes as a result of the Coronavirus epidemic, does the state of life on our farm matter? In a moment of crisis that has upended the lives and routines of hundreds of... Read More ›

What does one say about life on the farm when the world surrounding it seems so fragile and threatened and out of control? The farm has always been my psychological refuge, and by retreating here this week I have enjoyed... Read More ›

I hope you are all well and staying vigilant in this crisis. I wish I had some original insight to provide regarding the COVID-19 disease, but many others have already said it better than I: Practice good hygiene, avoid unnecessary... Read More ›

Last week I spoke of my focus on the farm while the rest of the world seemed focused on the novel coronavirus pandemic. This week, I must admit that the pandemic has gotten my attention too. Two friends told me... Read More ›

In a week when the world has been preoccupied with worries about the potentially catastrophic health and financial consequences of the coronavirus infections rapidly spreading around the globe, I’ve been focused relentlessly on a small patch of 38.5 acres in... Read More ›

Hi All, Mark here, It feels as if we’ve barely had a winter this year. Rain and mud have been more concerning than deep snow as potential obstacles to trucks getting to our barn. I think I’ve shoveled the driveway... Read More ›

Turkana Farms is transitioning, as Mark revealed in last week’s bulletin. By this time next year, the land will be under someone else’s watch, and likely under a different name as well. With that knowledge, we’ve had to adjust our... Read More ›

Hi all, Mark here. Victoria’s bulletin last week reported that, having taken on a full-time gig at Ironwood Farm, she would not be managing the Turkana Farms vegetable garden this summer. That one sentence has prompted a lot of speculation... Read More ›

Hello, it’s Victoria. I’ve stepped back from writing newsletters for a while, mostly because my time and energy have been intensely focused in new places. After this time away, I’ve had some interesting developments and updates I want to share... Read More ›

You all undoubtedly remember the Bible story most often told to demonstrate the wisdom of King Solomon. Two women were fighting for custody of a child, each contender claiming to be the child’s mother. King Solomon had the unenviable task... Read More ›

Hey all, Troy here, It’s that time again, the time where our culture forces us to remember the past and think about the future, even if we’d really rather not. That’s right, it’s a whole new year, and a whole... Read More ›

Intimacy is a powerful and, I am sure, genetically impelled need. The farm is, I am constantly reminded, a hotbed of intimacy. One of the chief pieces of evidence is in who is sleeping with whom. I’m not just talking... Read More ›

TURKANA FARMS, LLC WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK:Plenty of meat, with a few pumpkins ($2/lb) and acorn squash ($2/each) left over.The nadir of egg production: The shortest day of the year also means the lowest ebb of egg production. We have... Read More ›

HOW MUCH MUCK Hey all, it’s Troy again. While Mark and Victoria have been focusing their energy off-farm lately – Mark on his law practice and Vic on becoming gainfully employed once again – I’ve continued to chug along, making... Read More ›

Smothered And Covered Hey everyone, Troy here. In a previous bulletin, I threw in a slight dig about people who put up their Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. It wasn’t mean-spirited, but I did note that they were a... Read More ›

WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK:Happy Thanksgiving. It was new, very new, not to be seeing you all for turkey pickup. And a little sad. We look forward to seeing you back again next year. Deeply EntrenchedHi all, Mark here.When I tell... Read More ›

WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK: A handful of Long Island Cheese Pumpkins left – They’re not stringy, so they’re perfect for pies!Lots of meat available, check out our list below.We wish you all luck in your search for Thanksgiving turkeys this... Read More ›

TURKANA FARMS, LLC WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK:After the recent winter storm and cold snap, the last of the garden greens got blasted. Just a handful of acorn squash and small pumpkins remain.The sheep gladly spent the week in their cozy... Read More ›

AgriCulture-TURKANA FARMS November 9, 2019 WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK: It seems that what’s new is the cold. And colder it will get. This may be your last chance for swiss chard, in now limited quantities. Kale is still chugging along,... Read More ›