Gobble gobble! Thanksgiving has come and gone, and this year it coincided with the end of fall planting. It was a whole lot of work, but with a whole lot of persistence and tenacity, we got it done! A serendipitous hiatus in the flurry of farm activity to give everyone a brief moment to relax and enjoy turkey day festivities with loved ones.

Brenton and Roxy! Photo by Scott David Gordon.

I have so much to be thankful for this year it’s overwhelming. Having a job that I am immensely passionate about keeps me ever-grateful. The JBG team that we have been building for the past 10 years feels like family. The tireless toiling and synergy day in and day out by this amalgam of strong and smart individuals is astounding. I feel like our crew is more in tune with each other and stronger than ever. We give 110 percent to cultivating the most nutrient-dense, delectable and organic vegetables for our community. We love what we do, and we hope that it is evident in the quality of the final product.

JBG team meeting. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

JBG team. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

JBG team. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

I am also grateful for the farm and its resilience. After a tumultuous year accompanied by two disastrous floods, we have been able to readjust, reassess, rebuild, and heal from our losses. The greenhouses have been rebuilt (thank you for the help, Drafthouse!) and the farm looks better than ever!

 

Greenhouse golden hour

A photo posted by Charlotte McClure (@carlita_carlotta_) on Nov 16, 2016 at 3:59pm PST

I am thankful for my four crazy kiddos and all the adventure that ensues when we spend time together. Their burgeoning talents are a delight to experience; and their endless curiosity instills me with youthful vigor.

I count my lucky stars for having dreamt up this crazy endeavor of starting an organic farm in this beautiful gem of a Texas town, Austin... and most of all for YOU. I know I’ve said it before, but thank you for letting me be your farmer. From my backyard, to a thriving farm east of town, it's been an unreal journey. I hope that JBG was a part of your Thanksgiving meal this year - we'd love to see what you're cooking with the season's bounty, send us some photos! The support that we receive from the community is nonpareil and astonishing. This town is a locavore, farm-to-table heaven that loves and nurtures its local farmers. I couldn’t be happier to have landed here.

Photo by Scott David Gordon.

For those of you traveling for the holidays, we hope you will pass on this bounty we are all thankful for - consider donating your CSA share to The Settlement Home and SafePlace. Your donated share helps feed children, young adults, and families in Texas with histories of trauma, abuse and neglect. It's as easy as emailing the farm and letting us know you would like to donate. If you are in town for the holidays, you can still donate by sponsoring a share, either in your name or someone else's. It’s a great way to give back this holiday season, and a fantastic option when you are thinking of gifts to give family and friends. Donate here, and email (farm@jbgorganic.com) or call (512-386-5273) the farm if you wish to donate in another's name.

The Settlement Home and SafePlace need around 200 shares a year to meet their minimum needs - our goal is to meet the full 200 shares this 2016 holiday season. Won't you help us get there?

Donating at SafePlace. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

I am appreciative of the Alamo Drafthouse and their continued support of the farm through good times and bad. We are looking forward to the upcoming Rolling Roadshow screening at the farm - The Grinch! Venture out to our Garfield farm with your family and friends on Saturday, December 10th for a full day of holiday events like hayrides, face + ornament painting, Cindy Lou-Who and the Grinch look-alike contests, and a dance party all even before the movie starts! Then, once the kids are tuckered out, cozy up with a blanket, hot chocolate, and some tasty bites from some of our favorite food trucks to watch the main event! We'll be screening both the TV special as well as the live action version. Tickets are on sale now, get them here!

From the last Rolling Roadshow screening - The Seer. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

I will close with another massive thanks to you, our community, and this really silly picture of me in a turkey costume at the Thundercloud Turkey Trot yesterday! Can you tell which one I am? Did you see me? Boy, did we have a good time, and I got to squeeze in a run before the food festivities! Hope you enjoyed some delicious dishes and spent some quality time your friends and family! I need to get back to planning for the next planting season. ‘Til next time!

JBG Turkey Trot Turkeys!