Category: Down On the Farm

Climate Change, Community, Down On the Farm, Environment, Fighting Poverty, Food Equality, Food Insecurity, Food Justice, Gratitude, Hope, New Year's Day, Non-Profits, Opal's Farm, Persistence, Regeneration, Service to Others, Social Justice, Trinity River, Unity Unlimited, Inc., Urban Farming, Volunteers

Closing 2021 (Finally…)

gregoryjoel

This has been the strangest year I can remember. The ice storm in February and a frozen Trinity River, the downpours of May, a cooler than average summer, a sizzling Fall, and eighty-one-degree record high temperature on Christmas Day. I haven’t worn a jacket in a couple of weeks. It’s no wonder the plants are confused…

Confusion aside, the Fall crops are doing well, and we hope to continue our presence at Cowtown Farmers Market throughout the winter of 2022. We will not be there for the New Year’s Day market. We’re taking some much-needed time off, but we’ll be back January 8th with lots of winter produce for our you all. We can’t wait to see you!

A beautiful December Day!

We’d like to thank our awesome volunteers for all their hard work in 2021. This year has been full of hardships and surprises, but their persistence and commitment helped us finish 2021 strong.

We’d also like to thank the countless donors and supporters who’ve helped us through this rather strange year. If you’re able, please consider making an end-of-the year gift to Opal’s Farm. Help us grow in 2022 – both literally and figuratively! Go to www.unityunlimited.org/opalsfarm and hit the donate button. Even a dollar provides a meal for someone in Tarrant County.

We hope you all have a Happy New Year and let’s grow together in 2022!

Christmas, Community, Down On the Farm, Faith, Fighting Poverty, Food Justice, Gratitude, Hope, Neighbors, Opal's Farm, Quotes, Service to Others, Spirituality, The Holidays, Thoughts From the Porch, Unity Unlimited, Inc., Urban Farming

Merry Christmas to Each of Us…

gregoryjoel

It’s going to be a record-setting hot Christmas here in Cowtown. Shorts and tee shirts will take the place of tasteless Christmas sweaters this year! I’m fighting the urge to go work at Opal’s Farm and enjoy this beautiful day…

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from Opal’s Farm and good old Cowtown, Texas. The New Year is right around the corner and thanks to you all we have another great year ahead. We wish the same for you!

“Arise, your light has come! / Fling wide the prison door; / proclaim the captive’s liberty, / good tidings to the poor. / Arise, your light has come! / All you in sorrow born, / bind up the brokenhearted ones / and comfort those who mourn.”

Ruth Duck, “Arise, Your Light is Come” (1974)

Photo by Ryan Wallace on Unsplash
Autumn, Awe, Community, Creation, Down On the Farm, Faith, Fall, Family, Gifts, Grace, Serenity, Spirituality

Indian Summer

gregoryjoel

The dictionary defines “Indian summer” as “1. a period of unusually dry, warm weather occurring in late autumn; or 2. a period of happiness or success occurring late in life”. It’s the first week of December and I had my morning coffee on the porch wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt – check off definition 1. Success is subjective, but I feel successful, and it’s come late in life. I am blessed daily to be part of Opal’s Farm and Unity Unlimited. I have a home, and a family I don’t deserve and all because of the love of an incredible God who bestows grace upon grace despite me. All in all, I’d say that’s success. So, I guess it’s Indian summer in North Texas…

Photo by Irina Iriser on Pexels.com

#GivingTuesday, Autumn, Community, Donations, Down On the Farm, Events, Faith, Fall, Fighting Poverty, Food Equality, Food Insecurity, Food Justice, Giving, Gratitude, Hope, Kentucky, Neighbors, Non-Profits, Nutrition, Opal's Farm, Regeneration, Service Organizations, Service to Others, Simplicity, Social Justice, Spirituality, Thanksgiving, The Holidays, Unity Unlimited, Inc., Urban Farming, Volunteers, What Can I Do

We’re Back!

gregoryjoel

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. I took a week to travel to Kentucky and spend the holiday with my family. Stacey Harwood, our Volunteer Coordinator, looked after Opal’s Farm in my absence and did a stellar job. Our Opal’s volunteers and our Grow SE apprentices got plenty of fresh produce to the community.

I spent this afternoon sorting tomatoes – I’m through the first four hundred pounds – and checking the progress of our Fall crops. I can’t wait to see you all at Cowtown Farmers Market this Saturday morning!

I can’t believe we still haven’t had our first freeze here in Fort Worth. The near freeze Thanksgiving night killed off some of the weaker tomato and pepper plants, but the bulk of the plants are still blooming and loaded once again. I never dreamed we’d be bringing fresh tomatoes in December! We’ll also have purple top turnips, bak choi, lettuces, spinach, mustard greens, and winter squash. Come on out and load your baskets!

I also want to remind everyone that Tuesday is the International Day of Giving – Giving Tuesday. The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving has become a time to come together and support local non-profits during the holiday season. It gives us each the chance to practice radical generosity.

The ice storm in February and fifteen inches of rain in May affected our Spring production. We need you more than ever to continue our work bringing fresh, healthy produce to underserved and neglected communities. You can donate through our website, www.unityunlimited.org, through our Opal’s Farm Facebook page, or at Cowtown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings (I know – it’s not Tuesday but…).

Thank you all and Happy Holidays to each of you!