Posts Tagged ‘field work’

Priorities

Yesterday morning, I was having a crisis. I was overwhelmed by too
many tasks on the farm and no idea how to prioritize. Which is more
important direct seeding beets or transplanting peppers? Seeding
cucumbers in the green house or planting potatoes? Creating more
raised beds or tilling under the cover crop? Planting out head
lettuces or strawberries?

Last year, the question could have been answered simply by looking at
which crop stands to earn us the most at market or resigning ourself
to the fact that we couldn’t get everything done. This year things
are different because we have 10 families patiently awaiting a
diverse bounty. Our CSA expects (and rightfully so) that we have
beets, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, lettuces and strawberries. So,
what is a farmer to do?

We eventually decided that focusing on the live plants was more
important than seeding new ones. I worked in the green house potting
on an array of hot and sweet peppers (Padron, Chocolate Bell, Greek
Golden Pepperoncini, Anaheim, Cayenne, Sweet Cherry, & Corno Di Toro)
while Matt transplanted head lettuces and used
the bed shaper to prepare more raised beds.

With the added incentive of already having sold your produce, farming
becomes a balancing act of new proportions. Instead of allowing
stress to impact my ability to farm, I am concentrating my energy into
the plants with a new purpose - “these peppers will be for Terrie or
Mark” or “I bet Jadon is going to love these strawberries”. It adds a
dimension to growing food that is so local, direct, and important.
Not only do our CSA members know where there food comes from (my
backyard!), I know who is eating the fruits of my labor.

The disconnect in our current industrialized food system not only
alienates the eater to a point of curious wonder about how food is
made, grown, or processed but turns the farmer into a machine with no
regard (or interest) for who will ultimately consume the product. For
both sides, food becomes only about calories or dollars.

Matt & I feel so lucky to have the support of our community with
individuals and families excited to eat our produce and share in our
farm. We are having our first work party this weekend in the spirit
of community support. People are just plain interested in getting
their hands dirty and truly understanding how food is grown, made or
processed. It makes me happy to be able to share those experiences
with others and there are a few things to do around here!

Spring Field Work

Returning