Sarah Taber
@sarahtaber.bsky.social
Small farmer, ex-farm worker, crop scientist. Here to talk food, farms, & money.
patreon.com/farmtotaber
patreon.com/farmtotaber
Y'all need Jesus, happy Sunday
November 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Y'all need Jesus, happy Sunday
You ever just snap & write a sternly-worded letter to threaten people for feeding hungry children? No?
The US Department of Agriculture has ordered that "states must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025".
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
You ever just snap & write a sternly-worded letter to threaten people for feeding hungry children? No?
Reposted by Sarah Taber
The US Department of Agriculture has ordered that "states must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025".
November 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The US Department of Agriculture has ordered that "states must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025".
you know what's fun? the growing realization that a lot of Americans have no idea what rabies is
November 8, 2025 at 5:34 AM
you know what's fun? the growing realization that a lot of Americans have no idea what rabies is
See this is just good strategy
One year I had pumpkins in the front yard. Fortunately, the one pumpkin that likes to be alive here (Kang Kob) stays green until 1-2 months after picking.
Nobody ever nabbed one, because everyone thought "They're not ripe yet! We gotta keep waiting!"
One year I had pumpkins in the front yard. Fortunately, the one pumpkin that likes to be alive here (Kang Kob) stays green until 1-2 months after picking.
Nobody ever nabbed one, because everyone thought "They're not ripe yet! We gotta keep waiting!"
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
See this is just good strategy
One year I had pumpkins in the front yard. Fortunately, the one pumpkin that likes to be alive here (Kang Kob) stays green until 1-2 months after picking.
Nobody ever nabbed one, because everyone thought "They're not ripe yet! We gotta keep waiting!"
One year I had pumpkins in the front yard. Fortunately, the one pumpkin that likes to be alive here (Kang Kob) stays green until 1-2 months after picking.
Nobody ever nabbed one, because everyone thought "They're not ripe yet! We gotta keep waiting!"
Oh yeah you're gonna be swimming in Cosmic Crisp this year
WA orchards usually do a lot of exporting to Asia. Soooooo yeah
WA orchards usually do a lot of exporting to Asia. Soooooo yeah
Cosmic Crisp are the cheapest apples on the shelf for most of the year here, but I live in WA
Like, that's my go-to cooking apple
Like, that's my go-to cooking apple
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Oh yeah you're gonna be swimming in Cosmic Crisp this year
WA orchards usually do a lot of exporting to Asia. Soooooo yeah
WA orchards usually do a lot of exporting to Asia. Soooooo yeah
yeah they call 'em "spitters" :D
That's the cool part about being a fruit nerd that nobody tells you about. You love fruit so much, you wind up spending your life eating all the GODAWFUL ones so nobody else has to
That's the cool part about being a fruit nerd that nobody tells you about. You love fruit so much, you wind up spending your life eating all the GODAWFUL ones so nobody else has to
There's a WSU professor running around finding heirloom trees that were planted along old farm fence lines 100 years ago and whatnot. It sounds like pretty cool work but I had the privilege of biting into one once and holy crap was it awful. Supposedly it's good for cider.
November 7, 2025 at 8:44 PM
yeah they call 'em "spitters" :D
That's the cool part about being a fruit nerd that nobody tells you about. You love fruit so much, you wind up spending your life eating all the GODAWFUL ones so nobody else has to
That's the cool part about being a fruit nerd that nobody tells you about. You love fruit so much, you wind up spending your life eating all the GODAWFUL ones so nobody else has to
See I wish the ~edible gardening~ folks would grapple with this. at least a little bit.
Productive food plants aren't gonna look like A Flower Garden, for the same reason most moms don't look like supermodels. WE GOT OTHER STUFF GOIN ON OK?
Productive food plants aren't gonna look like A Flower Garden, for the same reason most moms don't look like supermodels. WE GOT OTHER STUFF GOIN ON OK?
unless you live somewhere with insane sunlight, i learned tomatoes have the 2 modes: green with foliage cuz they're focused on growing, or looking like shit cuz they're putting all energy into fruits. i have to keep telling ppl i know when a plant looks like shit it isn't always dead lol
November 7, 2025 at 8:40 PM
See I wish the ~edible gardening~ folks would grapple with this. at least a little bit.
Productive food plants aren't gonna look like A Flower Garden, for the same reason most moms don't look like supermodels. WE GOT OTHER STUFF GOIN ON OK?
Productive food plants aren't gonna look like A Flower Garden, for the same reason most moms don't look like supermodels. WE GOT OTHER STUFF GOIN ON OK?
THIS
It's good to keep them around as parents for breeding future varieties. we don't know exactly what problems we'll have to solve in 50 years.
but don't feel. like. duty-bound to eat them unless you actually like them
It's good to keep them around as parents for breeding future varieties. we don't know exactly what problems we'll have to solve in 50 years.
but don't feel. like. duty-bound to eat them unless you actually like them
Yes! Sometimes heirloom cultivars are solving a problem we just don’t have anymore and while we shouldn’t just abandon them it’s also good to keep this in mind.
November 7, 2025 at 8:37 PM
THIS
It's good to keep them around as parents for breeding future varieties. we don't know exactly what problems we'll have to solve in 50 years.
but don't feel. like. duty-bound to eat them unless you actually like them
It's good to keep them around as parents for breeding future varieties. we don't know exactly what problems we'll have to solve in 50 years.
but don't feel. like. duty-bound to eat them unless you actually like them
true story, there are a lot of very happy vibrant green tomato plants in this world with no fruit on 'em whatsoever
meanwhile these depresso Charlie Brown-dead-Christmas-tree looking mummies still doing their darndest to fulfill the mission
meanwhile these depresso Charlie Brown-dead-Christmas-tree looking mummies still doing their darndest to fulfill the mission
I live in NC. I balcony/container garden. My cherry/grape tomato plants look wretched but they are still producing.
November 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
true story, there are a lot of very happy vibrant green tomato plants in this world with no fruit on 'em whatsoever
meanwhile these depresso Charlie Brown-dead-Christmas-tree looking mummies still doing their darndest to fulfill the mission
meanwhile these depresso Charlie Brown-dead-Christmas-tree looking mummies still doing their darndest to fulfill the mission
If you're at the grocery store, Pink Lady, SweeTango/Minneiska, or Cosmic Crisp are good bets. SweeTango & Cosmic Crisp were bred specifically to be "Honeycrisp but with the will to live."
Other ones are good too! Those are just the 3 I've had the best luck with here in eastern NC.
Other ones are good too! Those are just the 3 I've had the best luck with here in eastern NC.
So, what is a good substitute for Honeycrisps if we’re south?
November 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
If you're at the grocery store, Pink Lady, SweeTango/Minneiska, or Cosmic Crisp are good bets. SweeTango & Cosmic Crisp were bred specifically to be "Honeycrisp but with the will to live."
Other ones are good too! Those are just the 3 I've had the best luck with here in eastern NC.
Other ones are good too! Those are just the 3 I've had the best luck with here in eastern NC.
it's not often that a tree will just fight you for trying to keep it alive, but Honeycrisp has that dog in it
There is a YouTube or insta account of a northwest orchard farm where the father recounts his many beefs with the honeycrisps, it’s good viewing
November 7, 2025 at 7:24 PM
it's not often that a tree will just fight you for trying to keep it alive, but Honeycrisp has that dog in it
In honor of apple picking season: the secret of why Honeycrisp apples are so expensive!
This tree is angry at being alive and will make it your problem (if you plant it)
This tree is angry at being alive and will make it your problem (if you plant it)
Why Honeycrisp Apples Are EXPENSIVE
YouTube video by Farm to Taber
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
In honor of apple picking season: the secret of why Honeycrisp apples are so expensive!
This tree is angry at being alive and will make it your problem (if you plant it)
This tree is angry at being alive and will make it your problem (if you plant it)
guaranteed straight-to-voicemail maneuver
works just as well
works just as well
Folks new to calling reps and nervous about it can also get practice by timing calls for after hours and leaving messages.
November 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
guaranteed straight-to-voicemail maneuver
works just as well
works just as well
Attn folks in Delaware, Nevada, New Hampshire, Maine, & Michigan!
Your Dem Senators are also getting a LOT of pressure to cut a deal to end the shutdown- by ditching healthcare.
Reach out & let them know healthcare must be fixed first!
Names & phone numbers below.
Your Dem Senators are also getting a LOT of pressure to cut a deal to end the shutdown- by ditching healthcare.
Reach out & let them know healthcare must be fixed first!
Names & phone numbers below.
Readers in Arizona, Michigan, & Georgia!
Your senators have been getting a LOT of dedicated pressure to end the shutdown, without fixing healthcare.
If you have a minute, go ahead & give them a call!
Their job is to respond to constituents & they're mostly hearing from GOP voters rn.
Your senators have been getting a LOT of dedicated pressure to end the shutdown, without fixing healthcare.
If you have a minute, go ahead & give them a call!
Their job is to respond to constituents & they're mostly hearing from GOP voters rn.
November 6, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Attn folks in Delaware, Nevada, New Hampshire, Maine, & Michigan!
Your Dem Senators are also getting a LOT of pressure to cut a deal to end the shutdown- by ditching healthcare.
Reach out & let them know healthcare must be fixed first!
Names & phone numbers below.
Your Dem Senators are also getting a LOT of pressure to cut a deal to end the shutdown- by ditching healthcare.
Reach out & let them know healthcare must be fixed first!
Names & phone numbers below.
Right? "Not screaming" technically counts as eloquent in lawmakers' phone lines
When I get through to actual people, I always start by saying something positive - I’m in Oregon, so that’s easy - because I enjoy the relief in their voices.
November 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Right? "Not screaming" technically counts as eloquent in lawmakers' phone lines
Readers in Arizona, Michigan, & Georgia!
Your senators have been getting a LOT of dedicated pressure to end the shutdown, without fixing healthcare.
If you have a minute, go ahead & give them a call!
Their job is to respond to constituents & they're mostly hearing from GOP voters rn.
Your senators have been getting a LOT of dedicated pressure to end the shutdown, without fixing healthcare.
If you have a minute, go ahead & give them a call!
Their job is to respond to constituents & they're mostly hearing from GOP voters rn.
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Readers in Arizona, Michigan, & Georgia!
Your senators have been getting a LOT of dedicated pressure to end the shutdown, without fixing healthcare.
If you have a minute, go ahead & give them a call!
Their job is to respond to constituents & they're mostly hearing from GOP voters rn.
Your senators have been getting a LOT of dedicated pressure to end the shutdown, without fixing healthcare.
If you have a minute, go ahead & give them a call!
Their job is to respond to constituents & they're mostly hearing from GOP voters rn.
Reposted by Sarah Taber
At this point, anyone—a university, a law firm, a corporation, a Democrat—bending the knee to Trump is doing it because they want to, not because of any political reality.
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 AM
At this point, anyone—a university, a law firm, a corporation, a Democrat—bending the knee to Trump is doing it because they want to, not because of any political reality.
Reposted by Sarah Taber
curtis sliwa supporters currently booing andrew cuomo. he really did bring the city together
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 AM
curtis sliwa supporters currently booing andrew cuomo. he really did bring the city together
Reposted by Sarah Taber
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
the other thing about this is that there is no reason to pit these candidates against each other? each are good fits for their respective electorates and each shows the value of vigorous campaigns focused on the stated material problems of voters.
November 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
thank God this country's finally being run by Real Men
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
thank God this country's finally being run by Real Men
g... git along lil dogeys 😭🤠
November 3, 2025 at 7:34 PM
g... git along lil dogeys 😭🤠
There was a moment when someone I was working with on food safety out east "found out their veggie farm could be classified as a ranch!" for XYZ food safety audit
had to break it to them that that's just what they call farms out there. in California. where the food safety audits come from
had to break it to them that that's just what they call farms out there. in California. where the food safety audits come from
"Avocado ranch" always hits the ears funny to people not used to it, but that has been a common term for a long time. Tied to the marketing of the properties way back when.
November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
There was a moment when someone I was working with on food safety out east "found out their veggie farm could be classified as a ranch!" for XYZ food safety audit
had to break it to them that that's just what they call farms out there. in California. where the food safety audits come from
had to break it to them that that's just what they call farms out there. in California. where the food safety audits come from
thread
Yeah, a lot of CA citrus acreage was developed this way. Not so much avocados initially, but those have replaced a lot of the citrus groves. The eco-system of packinghouses and service providers has evolved, but still has much "co-op DNA."
Fruit coops in CA did some land developments where they basically sold 5-acre ranchette homes, that came pre-planted with citrus or avocado groves.
IIRC the new homeowners had the option to either manage the groves themselves, or just live there & have the co-op manage it.
IIRC the new homeowners had the option to either manage the groves themselves, or just live there & have the co-op manage it.
November 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
thread
Fruit coops in CA did some land developments where they basically sold 5-acre ranchette homes, that came pre-planted with citrus or avocado groves.
IIRC the new homeowners had the option to either manage the groves themselves, or just live there & have the co-op manage it.
IIRC the new homeowners had the option to either manage the groves themselves, or just live there & have the co-op manage it.
I wonder if there are any replicable examples of how to get office workers to put together their capital into loan funds or cooperatively financed farms that farm workers can run and eventually own. Seems that if big capital won’t help us, maybe we could help each other?
November 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Fruit coops in CA did some land developments where they basically sold 5-acre ranchette homes, that came pre-planted with citrus or avocado groves.
IIRC the new homeowners had the option to either manage the groves themselves, or just live there & have the co-op manage it.
IIRC the new homeowners had the option to either manage the groves themselves, or just live there & have the co-op manage it.