hi everyone,

here's just a note to let everyone know that we weathered the storm pretty well, and also to see if there are any folks out there who could come help with tomorrow's harvest. We expect a smaller than normal harvest crew tomorrow and are looking for replacements. Some of our workers are quarantining (don't worry- there was no covid exposure at the farm), and we expect a number of others to be busy with storm clean-up. (if you are interested in helping, see more details below).

STORM
well, we all had a very big storm.
It was exciting, frightening, amazing, stupefying, destructive.
In case you don't live in Iowa, you might not realize the scale of devastation that swept through our state on Monday. Large swathes of crops were flattened, trees knocked down, buildings damaged, widespread power outages, and many people still do not have electricity today, 4 days later. I do not know about the extent of injury to people or other creatures, but there must have been some. The storm was crazy.

out here we all managed pretty well. all creatures are alive and healthy, and most of the trees and plants survived, though many are growing at a new angle. The buildings seem minimally damaged. after 24 hours, our electrical power was restored, and we are grateful for all the little things that electricity makes easier (and for all the electical workers who are still working so hard!). We are also grateful for the inch and half of rain that came with the winds.

we are thinking of you all and hoping that together, we can handle all the destruction left by the storm.

Tuesday our morning crew harvested vegetables without electricity, so we were not able to wash anything. We delivered to our regular route, including the clinic and donation sites. We will be able to wash the vegetables tomorrow, but we will probably still limit the vegetable selection to things easily kept without refrigeration.

HARVEST HELP:
if you would like to help with harvest tomorrow, please text alice at 978-471-8414 or reply to this email.
our harvest is from 7-10am, and everyone needs to wear a mask the whole time, be healthy, 16yrs or older, and not have been exposed to covid-19. for more about covid procedures check our website
http://mustardseedfarm.org/?q=node/401
or reply to this email asking for more info.
please don't just show up - text or email beforehand so that we can make a good plan.

HOW CAN WE HELP?
This is the question i keep asking. Let us know if you have a good idea of how we can help. We have a lot of cucumbers, but i'm not sure they are quite the right solution to the scale of the problems right now.

peace and thank you,
alice mcgary
mustard seed community farm
978-471-8414