Dear Mustard Seed Farm friends,

We are entering a quieter season at the farm after finishing our last harvest mornings at the beginning of November, which included some beautiful cauliflower. We are so grateful to our whole community and to our amazing volunteers for making this another great season. We donated more than 5,000 lbs of food and hundreds of flower bouquets this year! Thank you all!

During these short days and long nights, we turn our attention to more indoor projects. November tasks include protecting perennial crops for winter, reflecting on the growing season, working on craft projects, and (hopefully!) getting a little rest.

Here's what we have going on this month. We hope you can find a way to connect with us!

Upcoming Events - Click here to view the farm calendar

Sunday, December 15, Season Celebration - details TBA

Markets
We will have craft items for sale, including Advent candles, block-printed shirts, and more, at the following markets:
Sunday, Nov 23, 9-2 PM: Ames Farmers Market (Quality Inn & Suites 2601 E. 13th Street, Ames)
December 6-7: Beautiful Land Market, Prairie Moon Winery, Ames - Beautiful land on facebook
December 14, 10-2 PM: Wheatsfield Co-op Member Appreciation Day, Ames
December 21, 9-2 PM: Ames Farmers Market (Quality Inn & Suites 2601 E. 13th Street, Ames)
Leaf Drive
Once again we are looking for leaves for mulching the fields on the farm. This year, we will also take pine needles. To coordinate a leaf pickup, text Nate at 515-231-2002.

Volunteer Opportunities
November 12, 15, 20, 22 Candle Making:
We are seeking a few more volunteers to help us make Advent candles to sell for our annual fundraiser. Please contact Amie, Barb, or Kayla for more information.

Holiday Market Helpers (Nov & Dec)
We are looking for volunteers to help at the Mustard Seed booth at the farmers market and holiday markets where we are selling. You will be part of a team when doing this job, and it's easy and a lot of fun! To sign up, click here. Contact Alice with questions.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS? We are still planning to schedule time for more crafts this fall and winter, so Please fill out our FALL ACTIVITY INTEREST FORM, if you haven't already. We have missed the window for a few of our activities - the weather got cold and wet before we could schedule community events for Prairie seed collecting, and natural dyeing, so those will be postponed until next season.

Seeking 2025 Summer Interns! - please share this info with anyone who you think might be a good fit!

Join our community of ecologically-minded people to help grow organic produce for CSA (community supported agriculture), workshares, and donations! Interns learn skills like: crop care and management, farm planning, volunteer leadership, permaculture design, and prairie/chicken/sheep/beehive care. Agricultural experience/education preferred but not required.

Send a cover letter with your goals for an internship, resume, and 2 references to mustardseedbee@gmail.com and outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com, or apply in the Handshake system.
Check out the Internships page on our website for a full description of the position.

Applications considered on a rolling basis.

Questions? Contact outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com.

That's all for now. Enjoy this month and we hope to see you soon!

Love,

the Mustard Seed Team