One of my hobbies is interior design. I love finding unique pieces that together create a beautiful room, home, and atmosphere. I find it fascinating to look at other people's design styles and understand the science behind different styles. My style has changed over the years. Currently, I love the modern farmhouse style. Most people may consider modern and farm as a weird combination. However, I think combining these styles makes perfect sense. When I think of modern, I connect to 21st-century farming.
We use modern technology to do our jobs better as farmers and ranchers. GPS technology, computers that track yield and financial data, self-driving tractors, crop rotation, precision planters and equipment, minimum-till field cultivation, AI, mineral, and modern irrigation to conserve water are just a few of the modern tools and knowledge we use to do our jobs.
These modern methods benefit us by giving us higher yields and healthier fields while saving natural resources.
Today less than 2% of Americans are farmers and ranchers. Yet, modern tools, knowledge, and technology are to thank for 2% of the population (farmers and ranchers) being able to feed 100% of the population.
At Mortimer Farms, our goal is to share the story of this fantastic 2% of the population. Our farm is open to the public to enjoy and learn where food comes from, taste farm life, and experience farming and ranching. The definition of agri-tourism (sharing the farming and ranching story with your family) lines everything we do at the farm. Every activity, event, and experience at Mortimer Farms is conducted to connect our guests to the farming and ranching community.
This time of the year is all about planning, preparing, and getting the fields ready for spring. We are pruning, ordering seeds, fertilizing, ripping out old plants/beds/and irrigation, and installing new beds and irrigation. The list of crops we grow extend over 40 vegetables, berries, and fruit. As the planting season gets closer, we look forward to sharing all these crops with your family.
In the meantime, in 2021, we added greenhouses to our farming plan. The tool of greenhouses allows us to extend our growing season. We can grow food during the winter months by creating ideal growing conditions. We have started to harvest from the greenhouses and will continue to harvest more as the season progresses.
Mortimer Farms' primary purpose will continue to be farming and agriculture education - and will be for generations! We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to create stronger connections between our guests and the farming community. What an extraordinary experience to feel the soil, harvest your own food, connect with farm animals, and anchor your life to the backbone of America - agriculture.
Mortimer Farms updates:
1. This Friday night and every Friday through October, guests will enjoy the Friday Night Barn Dance! Live entertainment, farm-to-table meal, cash bar, lawn games, and all ages are welcome! Reserve your tickets here: https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/BarnDance
2. Adult Easter Scavenger Hunt tickets are live!! This event is enjoyed by a limited number of guests and always sells out, so grab your tickets now at https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/AdultEasterEggHunt. Enjoy a scavenger hunt, prizes, live music, dancing, Easter bunny, campfires, cash bar, and farm-to-table hors d'oeuvres.
Drawing items:
• Private 6-person farm to table dinner at Mortimer Farms (private chef included) - $1,200.00 value
• A day at the ranch for two people (4-hour cattle drive) - $700.00 value
• Seven Whole Kit and Caboodle Season Passes (includes an entire year of fun at the farm) - $490.00 value
• Full highlight, cut, shampoo, and style at Wildflower Hair Co. - $200.00 value (more about this below)
• $100.00 gift card to Mortimer Farms Country Store - $100.00 value
3. The Easter Festival is just around the corner - April 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th. Enjoy our baby farm animal encounter, farm-inspired rides, games, activities, Easter bunny visits, chocolate egg hunts, and the solitude of walking through a real working farm. Tickets are available here: https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/Easter
4. We broke ground on the Windmill Kitchen expansion project. This week the pad and plumbing are being worked on. Next week the foundation is being laid. This kitchen expansion will allow us to give our guests an even better farm-to-table experience. From our field to your table, The Windmill Kitchen is all about using ingredients right from the farm. Our goal is to create a unique foodie experience surrounded by farm-inspired games, rides, activities, and growing fields. Each menu item combines simple, healthy, excellent tasting food to be enjoyed in a family-friendly farm-to-table setting.
5. Kayla opened a salon at the farm called Wildflower Hair Co. To say we are proud of her is an understatement! & we are so excited to share this amazing news and experience with each of you! To book your appointment, send a DM to @wildflower_hair_co, email wildflowerhairco.az@gmail.com, or call 928.225.1130.
6. We are harvesting from our greenhouses! Last year we installed greenhouses at the farm to extend our growing season. We are excited to announce that we are gathering from the greenhouses now. Guests will enjoy tomatoes, micro-greens, lettuce, beets, radishes, peppers, onions, and potatoes from the Country Store.
