From the field: What winter means for this farmer

Hannah Alden, Reporter, The Record-Review Lately, as markets have been winding down and the weather has been growing colder, people have been asking me what I do in the winter as a farmer.

There are still a couple Medford markets left, and depending on what I have left growing or stored, I may be doing some pop-up events to sell the last of the farm’s produce for the year. In addition, there’s plenty of field clean-up work to be done in the near future — tomato trellis lines and posts to be taken down, weed block to be unstapled and rolled up and raised beds to create. In a week or two, I’ll have to get next year’s garlic in the ground and I also have some onions to plant that I’m going to attempt to overwinter in our high tunnel.

Along with the remaining physical work, there’s plenty of office type work for the farm to be done. There are records and data from this year to log and mull over. Soon, seed catalogs for 2024 will begin arriving. I’ve got decisions to make about how I will be selling produce next year, new crop layouts to draw up and lots of other planning to do.

Mixed in with those farming-related tasks, I also take on temporary work October through December, making garland for places selling winter decor. It seems silly to start thinking about Christmas before Halloween has even arrived, but being around the smell of pine makes it easier.

Many farmers also spend time on education during the slower months and I am no exception. From now through March, there is a farming conference or event each month on my calendar. I look forward to those days of getting to see farmer friends, mulling over new ideas and traveling.

I also hope to make time during the “off season” for hobbies and being with family. I have stacks of books waiting to be read and knitting needles to pick up. There are plenty of projects around our house that need attention, too. The lists will always keep growing.