After missing my weekly blog writing for the past few weeks, I figured all of you who have been following me probably think I went on a “Real” vacation of sorts. I want to assure you that I am still here and my days off have been limited over the last three weeks. Due only to the level of activity that the farm demands during the month of May.
Bates graduation is a big deal at the farm. It seems that every student wants to get their last Nezinscot fix before heading home and or a last visit with their parents while they are still here. Graduation took place last weekend, and so as it was, this week did truly feel like a vacation of sorts. Jim and I laid down some biodegradable plastic on a few rows in the garden, an arbor was created over the hoops, some culinary and medicinal herbs were planted, beds for planting were prepped and the garden center greenhouse and retail area organized for upcoming visits.
Leading up to this week, I was reminded of a few phrases my husband Gregg uses on a regular basis to describe the kind of farming we do and or live by. He loves telling people that we farm on the edge and are foolishly optimistic about all that we do.
Here’s what that means. Every year, everything seems to happen all at once and everything needs to happen at the same time. You can almost watch the grass grow, crops need to be brought in, but then theres the corn that needs to be planted first, but, before you do that you need to spread manure, harrow, till and then plant. In the meantime you hope that the tractor doesn’t break down and or someone calls in sick. I think you get the picture. That is only, as he also tells everyone, “his side of the road.” This week, I will save the “my side of the road” chore list for another time.
Our days are spent working around the sun. Waking up at daylight and finishing the day around 7 at the dinner table with the kids and whoever else shows up. Some days, however, the cropping and farm work truly doesn’t finish until the windrows or weeds can no longer be seen and that can be around 9 p.m.
The foolishness part is that we look forward to doing it again day after day, year after year. A passion that is hard to explain to most, so we don’t. One doesn’t always have to understand others, but we should always appreciate them.
With that said, eat spinach, chick weed and rhubarb as that is what is available from our farm right now.
Keep farms in your hearts