Spring 2026 What's happening on Grey Woods Farm

Spring has arrived on the farm, bringing with it a long list of completed projects. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that if it has a motor, it eventually ends up on my to-do list. Between the cost of transporting a tractor and the price of professional repairs, I’ve had to become a student of "YouTube University." It’s a far cry from my career as a chef, but learning to maintain my own equipment is the only way to keep the farm running smoothly.

This spring has been no exception. I’ve already handled the oil, filters, and sensors on the John Deere. I also just finished replacing a carburetor on our small mower—a cheap $15 fix, but a pointed lesson on the dangers of ethanol. It’s a mistake I won’t make twice!

Beyond the mechanical work, I’ve been building a small greenhouse and a cold frame using reclaimed pallet wood and gifted panels. It’s already paying off; I have lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and Brussels sprouts ready to hit the garden in a few days. We’ve had to dodge some "drunken" spring weather lately—including heavy rains and a 20-hour power outage—but the farm is resilient. Retirement has truly been the best move I’ve ever made. I’m even taking a Botany class on fungi, and my mycelium arrives today. I can’t wait to get it into the soil to see what we can grow.