It's time to restart the blog. Hopefully I can stay a bit more focused on it. We closed Barrel #54 today. That represents the culmination of a summers work for our three growers; Edward Hopkins, Sheila Disimio and Mary Ellen Stegeman as well our own habanera peppers at Fire on the Ridge Farm. We've processed and stored close to 15,000 pounds. Wow.

I believe that our business will suceed as long as our growers can see a fair level of profitability from their work. That's the fundamental creed that drives this crazy cart. It's that idea that allows us to use Bracken County growers exclusively. We don't buy at auctions or out-of-state. We determine a contract price in the spring a stick with it so growers can plan their expenses and anticpate their income. Of course, we'll need to sell the all that sauce but I have great help from the kids. Matthew is selling in Portland, Or. Robert is working stores in Northern Kentucky. I hope to be in Lexington and Louisville this winter. By the way, there's a "where to but it" page on the FOTR web site (see links).

Next stop is Louisville and getting the 2005 peppers bottles and ready to go. Stay tuned.