Posts Tagged ‘making living’

Why I Farm

I have been asking this question of myself all throughout the season.  It’s not on my mind because I am unhappy with the farming; on the contrary…I am contented with how the season is going and am trying to affirm a deeper purpose with this work.

I farm because I love it.  This activity makes me feel happy.  If I weren’t farming I would want a big garden, and I would probably make the garden bigger and bigger until I was farming.

Ideally, I farm to be a greater, more valuable member of my community - the greater Nevada City/Grass Valley area here in the foothills of the Sierras in Northern California.  I want to provide the most delicious vegetables to our CSA members and market customers because that is what I myself want to eat.  I want to be a friendly face and personality so that people feel good about where they get their food and from whom.

Lately, I am trying to key into the service aspect of farming.  I want to serve my community.  I am trying to ignore everything else, such as making a decent living.  That will come.  But first, I want to integrate into the community and feel a bond with other people.  From other instances in my life I realize that everything goes right in life when you start out with the right mentality.  So, for my mentality, I want to do the best I can for my customers - my community members.