The Ahavah Community Newsletter

Yosef Camire
May 7
14 min read

Updated: May 11

MAY 2025

🌱 AHAVAH IN TRANSITION. HEALING, HOPE AND WHAT'S AHEAD.🌞

🌿 Inside This Issue of the Ahavah Farm Newsletter 🌿

Here’s what you’ll find in this edition:

✍️ A Personal Letter from Yosef – Why things feel quieter this year, and where the farmer has been.
🌱 Gardening Tip of the Week – Spring planting tips the regenerative way.
🤖 AI at Ahavah – A look into the future: how technology might support our mission.
📰 Farm Update & Season Reflection – A cold spring, classes, gratitude, and what’s ahead.
📅 Upcoming Events & Calendar – Don’t miss June’s market launch and more.

Take a moment to reconnect, reflect, and grow with us.

Dear FARMILY!

Here we are, friends, already deep into the heart of the growing season, and what a ride it's been so far! I don’t know about you, but this has felt like one of the coldest and slowest springs in recent memory. Here on the farm, we’ve been peeling off row covers in the morning and tucking crops in under their blankets again at night. One day the sun teases us with a hint of summer, the next it’s sleeting sideways and the wind is howling across the farm. But as every farmer knows, the weather doesn’t wait for permission—it just is. And still, the farm grows.🙂

Despite the chill and the wind, Ahavah Farm is alive with beauty, warmth, and gratitude. The soil, as always, is the silent hero—nourished, respected, never compromised. Thanks to the health of our living beds, the crops have pushed through the cold with tenacity. Lettuces have doubled in size in just the past few weeks, the microgreens are always full of vibrant life, and our carrots—the famous “candy carrots”—have been sweeter than ever.

It’s not just the crops that have been thriving. This spring, the farm has also been alive with people. And oh, how good that has been!

Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Temple Shalom for a volunteer day. There’s something sacred about getting your hands in the soil with others—laughing, learning, getting dirty, and doing something real and meaningful together. Aside from absolutely crushing it weeding one of our greenhouses💪, the group brought such energy, curiosity, and kindness, and it was truly a joy to share the time with them. Thank you to everyone who came out and gave their time—your efforts planted more than vegetables; you planted connection, and we’re grateful🙏.

And speaking of connection, how about Hava’s “Wonderful World of Bees” class?! What a buzz 🐝🐝(pun intended)! We had an incredible turnout, and Hava shared her impressive knowledge and passion for these miraculous creatures. Seeing the children (and let’s be honest, the adults too) light up as they peeked into the live-hive, held frames dripping with golden honey, and tasted it too —it is always a great time. Bees are essential to everything we do here, and having an opportunity to teach about them, their role in our ecosystem, and how we care for them was very fulfilling. Thank you to everyone who came out, and we hope it was a great learning experience!

And then there was Lorin’s “Grow Your Own” class, Part 2—an amazing follow-up to our winter session, and a huge success. Watching our community grow in their own gardening skills, asking questions, getting their hands into seed trays and compost, and walking away inspired—it’s why we do this! It’s one thing to grow food for people; it’s another to empower people to grow their own. And at Ahavah, we believe education is as much a part of food sovereignty as a well-tended garden bed!

As we look forward, we’re thrilled to announce that our Farmer’s Market will begin Sunday, June 1st, from 12–4 p.m. right here at the farm! 🎉 Mark your calendars, because it’s going to be more than just vegetables. Expect food, local artisan vendors, education booths, kids' activities and of course, produce, meat, milk, bread and so many other local artisanal goods! For us, the market is not just a way to support local commerce—it’s a community celebration. A time to shake hands, exchange recipes, share stories, and strengthen the bonds that hold us together. We hope our new SUNDAY time will be a blessing for our community!

And yes—CSA members, you’ll still receive your shares that day (if you do not want to pick up on Friday - just let us know!) and have the opportunity to stock up on extras if you choose. But more than that, we invite you to linger. Bring a blanket, sip a cup of coffee, let the kids run wild on our amazing playground, and walk around the farm.

We say it often, but it bears repeating: This farm doesn’t exist without you. Not really. Every row turned, every weed pulled, every tomato trellised and every radish bunched—it’s all part of a mission that you support. When you joined our CSA, you didn’t just sign up for vegetables; you signed up for a vision. A vision of clean, pure, nutrient-dense food. Of regenerative farming that doesn’t rob from the earth. Of transparency, integrity, and a deep love for both people and planet. We don’t take that lightly.

And we feel that partnership every week when we see you customize your shares, pick up your produce with joy, bring your kids to the classes, offer to volunteer, and share your appreciation with us❤️. We’ve received countless emails and notes of thanks, stories of meals enjoyed, and even hand-colored pictures and notes from your children. It means more than you know🥰. When things get hard—and they do—we think of you. When the wind threatens to rip the row covers clean off the kale beds or the well pump falters or the hours get long and the sleep gets short (just ask Asher and Aiden, they are well familiar with sleepless nights!), we remember: we’re in this together.

So as the weather finally begins to turn—and it will—we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every one of you. For trusting us. For supporting this vision. For valuing clean food, and community, and sustainability. For showing up, week after week, even when the varieties are a little slimmer than we’d like. Farming isn’t always predictable, but it is always worth it!

And just wait till you see what’s coming! The summer crops are just beginning to peek out🍅. The tomatoes are in this week and about to start flowering. The peppers are potted up and going in in a few weeks. The squash is also almost ready to go in, and summer feels like it is right around the corner (regardless of this cold!!).

The spring season will continue moving in the right direction with more carrots, lettuce, kale, turnips and more and the summer will be her before you know it! We’ll continue to offer more classes and workshops through the summer—including a composting class, another bee workshop, a fermentation session, and more garden education.

Keep an eye on our newsletter and social media so you don’t miss a thing.

So from our family to yours—thank you. We love growing for you, and we are honored to be part of your life, your meals, your home. As always, if you ever have feedback, ideas, questions, or just want to say hello—reach out. We’re here. And we’re so grateful you are too.

With love, from the field and the heart,

Farmer Yosef and Family🌻!

WE L❤️VE OUR COMMUNITY!

🌱 The Future of Ahavah Farm in the New AI World

-By Yosef Camire (not AI😉)

As technology surges forward with almost imperceivably breathtaking speed, the world of agriculture is changing faster than ever before. Artificial intelligence, automation, and biotechnology are reshaping how food is grown, distributed, and consumed — and small farms like ours are not exempt from these shifts. At Ahavah Farm, we’ve always embraced transparency, education, and integrity. And as the world around us changes, we believe it’s more important than ever to explore how these new tools align — or don’t align — with our deeply rooted values.

The world is moving toward precision farming. With drones that scan fields, sensors that monitor moisture levels, and AI models that can calculate the perfect amount of fertilizer for a single plant, the promise of “efficiency” is everywhere. For large industrial farms, these advancements might solve logistical headaches. But for us — a regenerative, community-powered farm — they pose a bigger question: will technology help us grow better food, or will it distract us from what matters most?

Robotic harvesters and automated weeders are also on the rise. For some, this means reduced labor costs and 24/7 efficiency. But for our family, we believe in more than just getting the job done. Every weed pulled by hand, every seed sown by one of our children, and every hour spent with our hands in the soil is part of a greater story — one of learning, discipline, and connection. When you take the labor out of farming, you risk taking the soul out with it.

AI is also shaping what’s in our food. From gene-edited vegetables to lab-grown meats, machines are beginning to “design” what people eat. But we grow food the way it was meant to be grown: heirloom, nutrient-dense, and alive with the goodness of Creation. Our seeds are saved, our soil is sacred, and our commitment to purity remains unchanged. As biotech races ahead, we choose to look back — to ancient methods, honest food, and the miracle of natural growth.

That said, not all technology is inherently bad — especially when it’s used with care. Tools like blockchain can provide transparency for customers who want to trace their food from seed to table. Simple AI programs can help us analyze soil data or manage our email communications more efficiently. When these tools serve our mission — rather than undermine it — we see them as possible allies, not threats.

But here’s where we draw the line: technology should never replace love. It should never replace community. It should never replace the joy of seeing a child pull a carrot from the earth or the beauty of sharing a box of vegetables with a neighbor in need. These moments don’t come from circuits or code — they come from values, from service, and from the very heart of who we are.

At Ahavah Farm, we don't run from change — but we approach it with discernment. We ask tough questions. We educate ourselves and our community. And above all, we hold fast to our principles. We believe that food is more than a product. It's a relationship — between people, plants, the land, and the Creator.

And so, while the world may rush forward into an AI-powered future, we remain committed to something far older and far more powerful: ahavah — love. The kind of love that serves. That gives. That refuses to cut corners or compromise. That builds community and nourishes the soul. That remembers what it means to be human.

That is the future of Ahavah Farm.

And no algorithm will ever replicate that.

🌾 Where Has Yosef Been?

A Personal Note from the Farmer Behind Ahavah Farm

If you’ve been part of the Ahavah Farm community for a while, you may have noticed something a little different this year. Maybe the farm feels quieter. Maybe you’ve wondered why we’re not hosting our usual full calendar of classes, festivals, and public events. Maybe you’ve come to pick up your share or visit the farm and thought to yourself, “Where’s Yosef?”

Well… I’m still here. But I’m also somewhere else entirely.

This past year has been one of transition—deep, personal transition. After five intense, challenging, and at times terrifying years of fighting cancer, I am incredibly grateful to say: I’ve been cleared. It’s hard to even write that without emotion. There were moments during that battle when I didn’t know what the next month would bring, let alone the next season. And yet, with G-d's help, with the love of my family, and with the strength that comes from purpose, I’m here.

But healing doesn’t end when the doctors give you the “all clear.” In many ways, that’s just where it begins.

The truth is, my body has been through a war. And wars leave wreckage that can’t be fixed overnight. So while Ahavah Farm continues to grow and thrive—thanks to the incredible team that surrounds me and the unwavering support of our members—I’m now entering the next chapter: rebuilding. Rebuilding my health. Rebuilding my strength. Rebuilding the kind of life that gives as much space to recovery as it once gave to survival.

And that takes something I’ve never been particularly good at: slowing down.

That’s why you won’t see me at the front of every class or out shaking hands at every market this season. That’s why we’ve chosen not to host any festivals this year. That’s why the calendar of public events is lighter, more focused, and more intentional. I’m learning to say no—not because I don’t love this work, not because I’m stepping away from our mission, but because I’m learning how to take care of the person behind the mission. The father. The husband. The farmer. The human being.

You’ll still see me around, of course. I’m still farming. I’m still involved. I’m still deeply connected to every beet, carrot, and kale leaf that leaves this land. But much of the public-facing work—the farmer’s markets, the event organization, the weekly appearances —that’s being lovingly and capably handled by Asher, Lorin, Beth and our amazing team of staff and volunteers. Lorin will be leading our farmer’s market presence starting June 1st (mark your calendars!), and she’s already doing a phenomenal job putting the upcoming markets (June 1st) together.

As for me, I’ll be behind the scenes more than usual, focusing on rebuilding from the inside out. Eating with intention. Moving with purpose. Resting without guilt. Healing, day by day.

Ahavah Farm has always been about more than food. It’s been about service, community, stewardship, and love—real, tangible love that you can taste in a tomato or feel in a heartfelt conversation in the greenhouse while weeding next to a new friend. That hasn’t changed. If anything, this season is a testament to the depth of that mission. We don’t measure success by how many events we pack into a month. We measure it by the integrity of what we grow, the health we promote, and the truth we live.

So yes, things may feel quieter this year. But don’t mistake quiet for absence. What you’re witnessing is the natural ebb and flow of life. After years of running full throttle, this is a season of intentional stillness. Of rooting down. Of realignment. And I trust that this quiet, this space, will allow not only my body to heal, but our farm’s mission to deepen.

If you’ve prayed for me, walked alongside our journey, or supported the farm through these uncertain years—thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support has meant everything. Truly.

I hope you’ll walk with us through this next season as well. Maybe it’ll look a little different than years past. But at its core, it’s still the same Ahavah. Still growing with love. Still giving back. Still committed to purity, sustainability, and life.

With strength, hope, and gratitude. Yosef

AHAVAH COMMUNITY SCHEDULE

Founded in April of 2018, our mission is to connect people who are facing food insecurity due to financial struggles to locally-farmed, regeneratively-grown produce, and to provide education centered around healthy living and environmental consciousness. We do this by offering donated memberships to a local CSA program. Memberships include a weekly bag of produce along with discounted (often free) farm tours, classes, and events.

We want to help participate in the creation of a local food-system-economy, build on a diversity of local and regenerative food education and provide activities and children's events centered around environmentally responsible agriculture and pure, beyond-organic, local food.

If you are interested in learning more, volunteering or donating to this amazing mission, please go to www.ahavahcommunity.org

🌱 Spring Garden Startup: Regenerative Tips for a Successful Growing Season

By Yosef Camire

Spring has officially sprung, and though Colorado is slow to thaw, the soil is waking up, and with it, so are all you wonderful gardeners. After months of prepping, mulching, composting, and dreaming, it’s finally time to start planting. But before we rush into it with seed packets in one hand and trowels in the other, it’s important to pause and make sure we’re aligning our efforts with nature’s rhythms—and doing it in a way that builds rather than depletes.

At Ahavah Farm, we don’t compromise when it comes to sustainability and regenerative purity, and that starts at the very beginning of the season. The tips in this article will help you begin your spring garden with purpose, patience, and the understanding that what you do now will echo throughout your entire growing season. Whether you’re planting a backyard bed, containers on the porch, or a larger homestead garden, here’s how to get started the regenerative way.

1. Assess Your Soil After Winter

Before you plant anything, take a good look (and smell) at your soil. A healthy post-winter garden bed should smell earthy and alive—not musty or sour. Do a quick visual inspection: Is the mulch breaking down? Are worms and insects moving around? Is the soil crumbly or compacted?

If you didn’t get a soil test done in the fall, now’s a good time to run one—especially if you’ve had nutrient deficiencies in the past. And remember: never step directly on your garden beds this time of year, especially while the soil is still moist from snowmelt or rain. That compaction can take all season to fix.

2. Don’t Rush—Timing is Everything in Colorado

Our climate is a strange beast. One day it’s 75 degrees and sunny, and the next it’s snowing on your sprouting spinach. So be strategic. Base your planting schedule not just on the calendar but on your soil temperature and microclimate. Most spring crops like lettuce, carrots, radishes, and kale will germinate once the soil hits 40–50°F, while heat-loving crops like tomatoes and squash shouldn’t touch the ground until the soil is consistently above 60°F.

A simple soil thermometer can save you from major disappointment. And if you’re unsure whether to risk it, stagger your planting. Sow half your seeds now and the other half a week or two later. That way, you’re not putting all your lettuce in one basket.

3. Wake Up the Soil Biology

All winter long, we’ve protected and fed the soil microbes with compost and mulch—but they’re just now beginning to wake up. Give them a gentle nudge by removing thick mulches where the soil needs warming and applying a light liquid compost extract or aerated compost tea. These microbial inoculants jumpstart your soil’s biological engine, ensuring your plants aren’t growing in cold, sleepy beds.

You can also scratch the soil surface lightly with a rake or broadfork to introduce oxygen and create better water absorption. Don’t till—just aerate and observe.

4. Direct Seeding vs. Transplanting: Know the Difference

Colorado gardeners must be master strategists. Here’s a good rule of thumb: direct seed cool-weather crops (carrots, spinach, peas, radishes) and transplant your warm-season veggies (tomatoes, peppers, squash) after the danger of frost has passed. But even then—wait for warm nights! It’s not enough that the daytime temps are comfortable. Night temperatures must be consistently above 50°F for your summer crops to take root properly.

Use row covers or small tunnels to protect seedlings from spring wind and sudden temperature dips. At Ahavah Farm, we rarely plant anything unprotected in early spring—it’s just not worth the risk.

5. Feed Gently and Early

After a long winter, the soil needs nourishment—but gently. Avoid heavy synthetic fertilizers that disrupt microbial life and cause imbalanced growth. Instead, use regenerative fertility boosters like compost tea, compost extract with molasses or diluted worm leachate.

You want to feed the soil, not the plant—especially early in the season. These amendments are packed with micronutrients and biological stimulants that encourage root growth and balanced development without overwhelming the plant.

6. Start Pest and Weed Prevention Now

Healthy gardens don’t wait for pests to show up—they plan ahead. Introduce beneficial flowers like calendula, alyssum, and nasturtiums early. These bring in the good bugs before the bad ones appear. Consider row covers to block flea beetles and aphids from your brassicas and be proactive about weeding. The first flush of spring weeds steals vital nutrients and water and can take over before you know it.

Mulch any paths and bed edges to suppress regrowth. And remember—healthy soil grows healthy plants, and healthy plants resist pests better.

7. Regenerative Practices from Day One

Now is the time to establish your garden’s ethic. Avoid synthetic inputs. Stay no-till. Companion plant. Use living mulch, like clover, between rows. Feed your soil with cover crops, not chemical shortcuts. If you build the system right from the start, everything else—yield, flavor, resilience—follows.

And don’t forget water efficiency. This is Colorado. Install drip irrigation if possible, or at the very least, water at the base of your plants early in the morning. Avoid overhead watering unless cooling down or establishing seeds.

8. Common Spring Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few springtime missteps we see all too often:

Planting too early. Patience is regenerative.
Overwatering. Early spring is still cool—plants don’t need much.
Tilling the garden into a dust cloud. You’re killing microbes.
Over-fertilizing. It’s not about quantity; it’s about balance.
Neglecting the plan. Random planting leads to imbalance and chaos.

9. The Regenerative Mindset: Observe, Adapt, and Enjoy

Spring can be unpredictable, but that’s part of the beauty. Instead of controlling your garden, participate in it. Observe what’s happening, take notes, try new things, and most importantly—find joy in the process.