GROeat Newsletter 2023-08-12

GROeat Farm Newsletter 2023

From Hyalite's foothills, a garlicky dream,

Where bulbs get plump, and flavors gleam.

GROeat Garlic Farm, a pungent delight,

Bozeman's best garlic bite, morning and night!

Greetings from GROeat Farm! As the crisp autumn air sets in and the first flakes of snow kiss the peaks of Hyalite Canyon, we’re reflecting on the incredible journey of our 2023 garlic season. Nestled near the majestic Hyalite Peak, our farm thrives on love, hard work, and the beauty of nature. This year, our harvest was made even more memorable thanks to a very special guest.

A Harvest to Remember

Grandma Joyce, at 86 years young, joined us in the fields this summer. Her energy and spirit were an inspiration as she worked tirelessly alongside us, extracting our prized hardneck garlic from the earth, cleaning the roots, and loading them onto our wagon. With her steady hands and warm laughter, Joyce proved once again that she’s as tough as nails.

To make the season even more special, the 200-foot row of cosmos I planted earlier in the spring burst into full bloom just in time for the harvest. Cosmos are Grandma Joyce’s favorite flowers, and seeing her smile amidst a sea of pinks, whites, and purples was a gift in itself. Her youngest grandkids, Rowan and Seneca, were by her side every step of the way, soaking in her wisdom and lending their own small but mighty hands to the effort.

Sweet Pea Festival Success

This summer brought another exciting moment to celebrate! Joyce and I teamed up to enter Bozeman’s Sweet Pea Festival Poster Contest—and we won first place! Taking a break from the garlic fields to attend the festival, we had the honor of signing posters and sharing our joy with the community. It was a vibrant celebration of creativity, family, and the beauty of Montana summers.

Rowan and Seneca

Rowan and Seneca, two peas in a pod, are the epitome of childhood wonder and industriousness. At just five years young, these identical twins are already seasoned helpers, lending a hand in the garlic fields with a vigor that belies their age. After a day of hard work, they are rewarded with a well-deserved ice cream treat, their tiny hands sticky and faces streaked with dirt. At day's end, as they soak away the grime in the bath, the once clear water transforms into a muddy, golden hue, a testament to their playful adventures. To witness such pure joy and innocence is a gift, and I am filled with an immense sense of pride for these two remarkable boys.

Looking Ahead

As the garlic cures, we’re already dreaming of the next season. We’ll be planting again soon, preparing for another bountiful harvest in 2024. If you’re interested in reserving some of our hardneck garlic or simply want to chat about garlic, we’d love to hear from you. From our garlic farm to your garden and kitchen, thank you for supporting GROeat Farm. It’s the shared stories, the helping hands, and the connections we build that make this journey so rewarding.

Stay in Touch!