Farmers are eternal optimists. In the quiet months of winter, we think to ourselves, “This will be the year.”

My 18-month-old daughter recently pointed at a freshly harvested green bundle sitting on our kitchen counter and correctly identified it as bok choy.

Some farmers may disagree, but I find working in a warm summer rain is one of the greatest pleasures of farming.

It is with great pleasure that I am taking on the revived Farm and Field column this summer.

Fair excitement begins with the annual unveiling of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair poster.

The larger of two barns at the town-owned property leased by the Farm Institute has a failed roof and water has been leaking through. This week selectmen awarded a contract for replacing the roof that covers the 8,400-square-foot barn.