The planning for this summer’s plantings is well under way. Orders for plants and seeds have been sent. New for this season will be a planting of 180 hybrid hazels and a collection of small fruits: currants, gooseberries, and bush cherries. The hazel planting will include an trial of the effects of biochar as a soil ammendment in the establishment of perennial crops. I’m also working at devising ways to safely enable sheep grazing among the hazels. Due to the large number of plants involved, the per unit cost needs to be kept low.  Continuing education is… continuing.  I’ll be attending full day class at the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) conference this Thursday on value-added options for fruit growers.  I may add vinegars to my offerings of preserves this year.