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Hello Faircrest Farms Friends!
Happy November! We've narrowly escaped our first frost, with Tuesday morning bringing a close call. We tucked in the beans and tomatoes under protective covers, just to be safe.
The past week brought a generous 2.37 inches of rain! It's been wonderful to see our reservoirs filling and the soil soaking up the moisture. Our plants are now eagerly soaking up the sunshine after several cloudy days. The rain also worked wonders for germinating our cover crops, and the trellised sugar snap peas seem especially happy with this cool, moist weather!
Autumn's colors are putting on quite a show. The leaves sparkle and glow when the sun breaks through the clouds. While harvesting some purple kale this week, I was struck by its deep, rich color and beautiful curly texture. It's a reminder that even as the growing season winds down, the farm continues to offer its own kind of beauty.
Cooler temperatures mean fewer insect pests, but they also slow plant growth. That's part of dancing with nature—adapting to the changing seasons and appreciating what each one brings.
 Our Offering
This week's harvest is led by our salad mix and arugula, along with bok choy, sugar snap peas, and daikon radishes. We still have some green beans and fresh parsley available, too!
 In the Kitchen
The fall chill makes spending time in the kitchen—and having the oven on—a little more inviting!
Rita and I have been enjoying roasted turnips and potatoes with meatballs. We've also made a comforting potato-leek soup seasoned with fresh dill. There's something especially satisfying about turning freshly harvested vegetables into a warm meal on a chilly autumn evening.
Don't overlook your leafy greens, either! Braised chard and kale make wonderful additions to lentil soup and spaghetti sauce. They're delicious, versatile, and packed with nutrients to help nourish us as we head into winter.
 In the Field
The solarium is giving us something to look forward to! We have four or five 2” cucumbers coming along nicely. They've already climbed about three feet up their trellises, so it's time for me to extend the supports and give them room to keep growing. We're hoping these protected plants will provide some fresh cucumbers as we move deeper into the colder months!
Meanwhile, our cover crops are emerging as a beautiful green carpet across the beds, creating a lovely contrast against the dark, compost-enriched soil. These living roots help protect and nourish the soil, building fertility for next season.
As we wrap up the outdoor growing season, our attention is turning to wood chips, composting, and seed processing. We're also preparing for winter pea shoot production, with 25 pounds of pea seeds ready to become our next crop of fresh, nutritious microgreens!
There is always something growing at Faircrest Farms, even when the fields appear to be resting.
 Words of Wisdom
"Gardening helps fight disease, builds strength, improves memory, boosts mood, reduces stress, helps addiction recovery, fosters human connection, heals and empowers, and combats ecoanxiety."
— Healthline, 10 Benefits of Gardening (2020)
Keep Us Growing
Every purchase from Faircrest Farms helps strengthen a local food system rooted in healthy soil, healthy people, and a healthier community.
Taste the Difference — Enjoy food grown with care and harvested at its peak.
 Shop This Week's Harvest — Bring home the freshest flavors of the season.
Visit the Farm — Experience regenerative farming firsthand and see where your food begins.
 Volunteer With Us — Put your hands in the soil and help cultivate food and community.
 Share the Harvest — Forward this newsletter to a friend who values local food and local farming.
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Thank you for supporting small farms, regenerative agriculture, and food you can know and trust. Every order helps us keep growing good food, nurturing healthy soil, and cultivating community.
With gratitude,
Farmer Karl & Rita
And the Faircrest Farms Crew
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