Hi, friends! ***Hidden in this blog is a chance to win 4 season passes to Mortimer Farms*** At the end of 2022, we surveyed our followers and asked what you would like to see more of in 2023. No surprise to us, the answer was overwhelmingly more behind the scenes. Agriculture education is very important to the mission of the Mortimer family. Answering the how, why, what, where, and when questions about our job, farming is why we open our gates to your family. We are starting a new blog and email series, “connecting your family to your food”. In this series, we will talk all about our jobs as farmers as we conserve natural resources, care for the land, animals, and the environment, and grow food for your family. We will also be giving holding a giveaway each time an email/blog in this series is sent/posted. Creating stronger connections between guests and the farming community is a privilege. Mortimer Farms mission says it best, “connecting your family to your food”. Now let's get started. Enjoy a look into what we have been up to the first few weeks of 2023.
It's Called Being Fire Wise Being fire wise is an important part of our daily life at the farm. We focus a lot of our fire wise efforts on the Agua Fria river bank that runs through our property. By clearing overgrowth, tree branch sheds, and fire starter, we reduce the risk of wildfire and leave healthy trees and soil for native grasses/forages to grow.
Cattle help us do our jobs Cattle are an important part of our team at Mortimer Farms and at our ranch just up the road. As we work with our cattle, we are able to care for the land, the environment, and the soil.
Weather and Water For as long as ever recorded weather ebb and flows. This is not only the case from year to year but also the case from season to season. As farmers and ranchers we work directly with Mother Nature. We work in correlation with the seasons. Conserving water is essential to a farmer's daily job, during every season. Not only is water conservation important to grow food for this generation but for many generations to come. Because we are so efficient with our water usage we have plenty of water to farm. Healthy soil is also at the foundation of productive, sustainable agriculture. Managing for soil health allows us to work with the land – not against – to reduce erosion, maximize water infiltration, improve nutrient cycling, save money on inputs, and ultimately improve the resiliency of this working land.
Making Mulch With the use of microorganisms (beneficial insects) and moisture, we are breaking down biomass into a composted material to use on cropland, in gardens, and to improve the soil. The end result is soil that holds water, nutrients and improves soil health and productivity. A process we have implemented and carried out for over 30 years. Imagine all the material diverted from the landfill in this time and the thousands of tons of soil that have been upcycled. The mulch we make is also available at @mortimernursery
Winter is the Time For… Winter is the season to prepare for spring. A portion of our time is spent caring for our permanent crops (perennials - crops that produce for multiple years). Blackberries are a permanent crop that will grow blackberries for 20 years. When the blackberry vines are dormant, we prune the vines and tie the leader bark to the trellis system. Pruning improves yields and creates healthier, stronger plants. PS: I am so looking forward to the blackberry season this summer!
Planning for 2023 Each year we rotate where all 54 of our crops are planted. We laid out where we will plant the 2023 crops a few weeks ago. Crop rotation helps return nutrients to the soil used by the last crop planted. The practice also works to interrupt pest and disease cycles, improve soil health by increasing biomass from different crops' root structures, and increase biodiversity on the farm.The purple outlined fields are permanent crops (blackberries - 20-year crop, strawberries - 5-year crop, asparagus - 30-year crop, etc.). The orange writing is where we plan to plant non-permanent plants this year. The next step will be to determine exactly where each vegetable will be planted and where to plant sweet corn and livestock feed in the lower fields at the farm.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring about the story of your food. Thank you for supporting our family, our team, our farm, and Arizona agriculture! As a part of the “connecting your family to your food” blog and email series we will be giving away a 4 season passes for the 2023 season in this blog. To enter, please email mortimerfarmsaz@gmail.com with your favorite memory at the farm. We will pick a winner Monday.