Upriver Organics - Spring Update
- organicredneck
- May 2
- 5 min read
Farm Update - May 2025 |
In all honesty, it was a little bit of a shock to turn our calendar over to May today. Suddenly, it seems, I have stopped telling myself that it finally feels like spring, and must instead accept that it's a hint of summer in the air. With the change in seasons, it's time for an update from the farm!
In this newsletter you can read up on:
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Spring on the Farm |
May marks the undeniable beginning of the growing season on our farm. Our propagation house is packed, and each week more young transplants head to the fields—soon to become the succulent cucumbers and enormous cauliflower of early summer. In the orchard, honeybees, bumble bees, mason bees, and other pollinators have been hard at work. We’re already seeing signs of well-pollinated plums and blueberries. The fall cover crop will soon be turned under, but not before the fields flush red this week with blooming Crimson Clover!
Unlike winter's long projects, spring shifts us into a weekly rhythm. Mondays often start with transplanting and weeding, and one or two days are reserved for big field jobs (this week: replacing greenhouse plastic). Alongside the main crew, a few folks keep the farm running smoothly—sowing seeds, managing irrigation, and doing tractor work—stepping in where needed. On Friday, we all pivot to harvest and packing crops up for the farmers market and our wholesale customers. And at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning, our market crew picks the fresh veggies and brings them to the market!
We’ll repeat this rhythm for the next 33 weeks. In that time, the CropShare will begin and end, the farmstand will open and close, and for a brief interlude blueberries will pour off of every surface. We’ll question our career choices, then be reminded—again and again—why we do this work. Beloved crops (the cucumbers, carrots, berries, melons, peppers, and more) will come and go, stunning us with their beauty and flavor, always too briefly.
We begin this season full of hope and excitement. As the pace quickens, we’re savoring these spring weeks—full of flowers, daylight, and salad greens. It’s a beautiful slice of the world, and we can’t wait to share the months ahead with you. |
Farmers Market Manager Spotlight: Andie R. |
Upriver Organics has a NEW farmers market manager! For those of you who regularly shop at the market this may not be news, but this year Andie is taking over as our former manager Emilie, starts an exciting new job. We will miss Emilie dearly, but are thrilled to have Andie taking over the helm! Before starting in this role, Andie has been a key part of the farm, working in the farmstand and as a field crew member!
This week, I asked Andie to answer a few questions so you all can get to know her a bit better! Here are her answers:
What’s your name and where are you from originally? My name is Andriana (Andie) Raffaini, I moved from Sonoma County, California to Eugene in 2021.
What drew you to working at the farm—and what are you most excited about in this new role? I was looking for a job where I could genuinely say and feel that I loved what I was doing. I was tired of being so mentally drained from other jobs. I'm excited to do the work here, and I'm proud after the day is done. This job has kind of given me my spark back.
I'm most excited about my own personal growth this year in this new position. I'm very excited to get to learn another corner of this farm!
Do you have a favorite fruit or vegetable from the farm—and how do you like to prepare it? My go-to snack is to grab a muncher cucumber, slice it up and add, soy sauce, rice vinegar, roasted garlic, and sesame oil! It's a perfect quick snack that never disappoints. Sometimes, I'll add purple sprouting broccoli or radishes.
What’s something surprising or interesting about you that folks at the market might not guess? Folks might not guess that I spent 10 years of my life in Waldorf school. I spent my days being very close to art, music, gardening, and community. So being at market feels very near to home.
What should customers come say "hi" to you about at the market? Come say hi to me about your favorite thriller movies. I love watching movies where you are basically speechless at the end! |
Asparagus Has Arrived!! |
There’s no crop quite as odd as asparagus—though rhubarb gives it a run for its money.
Each spring, asparagus shoots emerge from the soil, unexpectedly, bidden by slight changes in the soil temperature or some other secret signal of the season. They grow fast, stretching inches per day with no leaves to power them.
We harvest by walking the rows and snapping the spears at their base. When we finish, the field looks barren, save for a few weeds (this is an organic farm). It feels like a moment of finality, but just days later, new spikes pop up, growing with the same strange fervor.
Eventually, the stalks turn woody, and we stop harvesting. The remaining spears shoot up to 6–7 feet tall and flower, transforming the field into a summer haven for birds and critters. In winter, we burn the dried stalks and the cycle starts again.
We kicked off the 2025 asparagus harvest last week and are loving these peculiar veggies. Our favorite way to cook them? Grilled in a foil boat with olive oil and balsamic, plus a generous sprinkle of parmesan!
You can find our asparagus for the next few weeks at the Lane Country Farmers Market on Saturday from 9am-3pm!
Oh, and did we mention in comes in two colors?!?
2025 CropShare Availability: Just a Few Spots Left! |
The Upriver Organics 2025 CropShare
PSA: There are still shares available for the 2025 season, but we anticipate running out of spots soon. Please sign up sooner than later to reserve your space!
If you're interested in becoming a member, here's a bit more info on the program and benefits:
The Main Season runs from June 4th - October 15th with deliveries every week (20 deliveries). The Fall Season runs from October 22nd - December 17th with deliveries every other week (5 deliveries).
Shares are offered in a Full or Small size. Member benefits include 20% discounts at the farmers market, weekly newsletters with updates and recipes, and some gleaning opportunities! More details can be found on our website.
Payment methods: Any debit or credit card, check, SNAP/EBT Decided it's for you? Sign up here!
Payment Options
If you are interested in a CropShare but are wary of the cost, we'd like to point your attention to the following resources and options:
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Thank you for sharing this foodshed with us! Sincerely,
Hayley & Jack Richardson
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