Happy Fall!
It’s officially the fall season here at the farm – the air feels crisp, the leaves are changing color, and while things have slowed down a bit, there’s still plenty happening behind the scenes.
Fall Events & Community Happenings
Even though our fields are quieter, our bakery has stayed busy! This fall, our donuts have made their way to several local events — including the Robinson Relays (Jog-A-Thon) at Robinson Elementary School, as well as a few beautiful weddings.
Next up, we’ll be serving at a few Trunk-or-Treat events right here in our hometown of Grand Haven. We love being part of community traditions and celebrations — it’s one of the sweetest parts of the off-season!
Life on the Farm in the Off-Season
When the harvest wraps up, our focus shifts to maintaining and preparing for next year’s crop. The work that happens this time of year covers a little bit of everything:
- Mowing and field maintenance
- Weed, vine, and tree control
- Irrigation management, especially important this year due to ongoing drought conditions
Dealing with Drought in West Michigan
This fall has continued to challenge many West Michigan farmers, including us here in Grand Haven, as we face one of the driest years in over a decade. September and early October have brought well below-average rainfall, leaving soil moisture levels low and requiring additional watering even late into the season.
Our team continues to keep irrigation systems running to help protect our young and established blueberry plants. The hope is that the upcoming months will bring steady rain to restore much-needed soil health before winter sets in.
Another major task this time of year is planting new blueberry bushes. A lot of preparation goes into getting the ground ready for these young plants — whether it’s virgin soil or a field that previously held older, non-producing bushes.
The process looks a little like this:
- Preparing the soil – Grinding, smoothing, and measuring rows for proper spacing.
- Digging trenches – Using a tractor and plow to form planting rows.
- Laying woodchips – These help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and improve organic matter for the new roots.
- Re-plowing and planting – Using a tractor and planter for most rows, while sprinkler-lined areas are planted by hand and shovel.
It’s hard, rewarding work that sets the foundation for future harvests — and we’re grateful for the dedicated hands that make it happen.
Looking Ahead: Christmas at the Farm
We’re already in the planning stages for something new and exciting — our First Annual Christmas at the Farm!
This festive event will be full of holiday cheer, fresh donuts, and cozy farm fun. We can’t wait to share more details soon and start what we hope becomes a yearly tradition for families in our community.
Stay tuned right here on the blog, newsletter, and follow us on social media for updates!
Thank You
As always, thank you for checking in and following along with life on the farm. We’re so grateful for your continued support and can’t wait to celebrate this new season with you.