BRooke’s bulletin
November 2014
A monthly update from farmer wife Brooke about apple happenings, tractor talk, and the everyday encounters of managing an apple orchard.
Thank you friends and customers for signing up to receive our monthly news, so a big “WELCOME” to my first edition! With harvest wrapping up, we have all been able to catch our breath, and knock a few things off the to-do list…including getting this post up! Thanks for your patience. We would not be a business without the loyal support of our friends and customers, so thank you for being part of the Quarry Hill family. The apple harvest has been bountiful and plentiful. We are grateful.
Ben’s timesheet has been dwindling from 90 hours a week to 75. It’s been absolutely wonderful for me to have him sit around our family dining table eating my food, and helping with the evening routine.
The “seasonality” of a farming business is something that I am struggling with understanding. After two seasons, I am testing my strengths and learning everyday.
I was fortunate to attend a workshop called “Running a Strong Family Business” at the COSE Small Business Conference – wow, amazing take-aways. Did you know only 12% of family businesses make it through their 2nd generation? We are in our 3rd generation and are faced daily with generational challenges. We will rise to the occasion!
Ben and I will attend the Young Farmer’s Conference at Stone Barns this December, while also staying with my lifelong childhood friend, Stephie and her troop of 4 kiddos under the age of 5. We are SO happy to be included and have so much to learn!
Launch an online e-commerce platform for selling and shipping our apples? Check. With friends and family across the United States (and Canada, Anne and Tom), we really wanted a way to share our harvest with everyone, local or not. Thank you Mom, Suz, Ade, Bo, Dan, Jackie, and many others for your orders already! We are still working out some kinks and logistics, but so far so good on the gift box front. We’re having so much fun with this project I can hardly stand it! Be looking for more products in this line very soon…up next? An apple pie kit!
We are glad to hear your family is planning for the future. We so enjoy our Saturday (usually) morning routine of visiting Quarry Hills when we are at our cottage to purchase peaches, apples, cider, corn, and other goodies!