June has been a particularly eventful month at the farm for us – not just because it brings us long-awaited goods like aromatic basil and fresh cabbage – but because it has been full of BIRTHDAYS! Karyn and Ian both celebrated at the beginning of the month (on the same day!), and Lane is the final Gemini, right before the solstice. Usnea and I round out the few final days before July, as the days begin to get shorter again. And, of course, the official start of summer is always cause for celebration.

With so many people beginning a new rotation around the sun, it feels like an especially good time for mid-season reflection. The longest day of the year has come and gone, but we still have a few hot months ahead of us, and I’ve been thinking a lot lately at how to make the most of them. It’s easy to focus on all of the things that still need doing or that could be improved; there’s a never-ending list of to-dos, both on and off the farm. But we’ve already made it so far, and I hope to put a little bit more of my attention on recognizing all of the good that we have cultivated here. We harvested and hung up all of the garlic last week, and it looks better than ever before. Amy just seeded the last of the over-wintered crops, so the kale that will probably be the last thing we plant out in the field this season is already on its way. I ate snap peas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner this weekend. Lane saw a kestrel today – his favorite bird! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I can’t speak for the rest of the June babies, but I know that as I start my 27th year, I’m going to try to put some energy towards all that good. Summer will be over waaayyyy too quickly, as always, so I’ll try my best to lengthen it by being present in all of the littlest moments, swimming in the ocean as much as possible, and eating as many tomatoes as my stomach can handle. Happy summer, everyone!

-Lizz