Winter Solstice Changes
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Almost exactly 10 years ago, we were looking forward to a new farm. We had just signed an agreement with a private property owner through the Salt Lake County Urban Farming program. It was a big step for us because, prior to that, we had been growing our market produce in as many as 8 different back yards. Now we could concentrate our efforts into one larger location and hopefully increase production.
On this Winter Solstice, a decade later, we are returning to our roots. We have officially ended our agreement with that property owner and we are refocusing our efforts back to our own home. Yesterday, Tony said goodbye to his Kubota tractor. The cycle of life keeps turning.
As veteran urban farmers, we have learned many important lessons. We know what tomato varieties we like the best. We are experts at setting up a farmers market booth. We know the weeds will never go away. We have built high tunnels, purchased tractors, and bought more compost than you could imagine. We have had to learn about politics, law, and business regulation. Most importantly, we have learned that we don't want to farm on someone else's land anymore.
Returning to our roots feels like a homecoming. It allows us to rekindle our passion for small-scale farming and to nurture the little piece of earth we call home. There is a certain solace in walking through our garden, feeling the damp morning dew on our feet while sipping coffee. This is a joy we had to forgo while commuting to the farm every day.
This transition also offers us the opportunity to scale back our workload. Farming is demanding, and we are ready to embrace a more balanced life. The smaller scale doesn't diminish our enthusiasm; instead, it amplifies our creativity and determination. We see endless possibilities in our quarter-acre plot and look forward to experimenting with intensive gardening techniques and innovative methods to maximize our yield.
We know deep in our souls how to grow and cook food. Our son grew up on a farm and will always know where his food comes from. These skills are more valuable than money.
This year has been challenging. However, we remain profoundly grateful for our family, friends, and supporters. The individual who purchased Tony's tractor mentioned having some Solstice Spices in their kitchen, reminding us of all the homes our food has reached. Our aim has always been to provide quality food to our community. We hope you have enjoyed the love in your meals.
We want to sincerely thank many who have helped us through this transition:
Brian Morton, Our Parents, Tami & Scott, Meghan Dutton Law, Al the Punk Rock Farmer, Shirley with Urban Pepper Project, Murray Farmers Market, Symbria at Red Acre Center, Luke at The Kinlands, The Roberts Family, and many many more.
We hope you will continue to support the new version of Solstice Spices. We have some fresh ideas for next year and look forward to sharing more memories with you.
Happy Solstice
Tony & Heather Peeters
Chef Brian and Chef Tony
The first plow when we moved to the farm 10 years ago
Saying goodbye to Tony's Kubota