Farming for Justice

There’s no place like the woods when one is searching for inner peace. You can follow any trail and go as far as you’d like- there are no limits. The expansiveness of natural landscapes fills my heart and the fresh air fills my lungs. My swirling mind calms down to a resting point. The faster my heart beats and my breath quickens, the less my mind buzzes.

With a few inches of fresh snow on the ground, I could tell nobody had walked the loop I chose around the base of the hill. My clunky boots would be making fresh tracks. With my shoulders plugged back and my chest lifting toward the sky, I recalled the mantra, “blaze your own trail.” Before the thought was finished, six deer dashed across the path about 30 feet ahead. I stopped abruptly and dead silence filled the space. How could it be that six animals of the same size could be so much quieter than one?

When I started walking again, I became distracted by the deafening sound of my swishing rain jacket and crunching snow beneath my heavy boots- two feet so large and obvious unlike the four discreet hooves of a deer.

Another benefit of fresh snow is tracking animals. I saw evidence of coyote, rabbit, and squirrel. There were even little holes dug into the snow where the squirrels were accessing stored nuts, seeds and acorns.

Similar to squirrels, people too, burry their food in the ground in root cellars to keep for the winter months. Native Americans observed this method and would keep track of where the critter’s goodies were stored so they could reap the benefits. Those who think this unfair, I say, it’s just one piece of the food chain. If I were cold and hungry, and I had to choose between a filling a squirrel’s belly or my own, I’d dig up those nuts in a second.

Until that 50-degree day we had, it finally started to feel like winter. It also wasn’t until the past two weeks that I finally entered hibernation. How fortunate I am to actually allow my body to rest and recuperate from the farming season. Staying in one place, sleeping in, cooking soups, taking hot baths, and really focusing on self care is what winter is all about.

My mind does wander out of the present moment to the future all too often. What am I going to do next? That’s the big question with no big answer. Uncertainty is uncomfortable. Trusting it will all work out is not easy.

While in hibernation mode, I have been allowing my body and mind to descend from capitalism’s pressures to constantly make progress in order to be a productive member of society. So, I’m not very “productive” right now in the way of growing food to feed my community. But, the internal progress I am making is immeasurable.

Stay tuned for the less abstract philosophical posts. My life will get more adventurous soon enough. Perhaps I will bike x-country, that’s one of my many ideas. Thanks for being patient while I face all my shadows.

For the past eight years, I have left the New England winters behind to explore warmer regions of the world. Why do I flee every winter as soon as the New Year arrives? There are the obvious reasons such as sunshine, swimming year round, and staying physically active outdoors. Then, there are the more hidden reasons buried deep inside my mind.

The winter is dark, quiet, cold, and long. It is the season for turning inward. It is a time for digging inside ourselves to find inner peace. We get a chance to pour some light into the dark places of our souls.

While I see the value of self-refection and setting intentions for the next year, I have always been eager to explore new places and quickly move on to the next journey.

Transitions are challenging for me because they usually mean less structure in my schedule. They allow for feelings to come up that are not always pleasant. I suppose I have been somewhat afraid of where my mind would go if I stayed home all winter.

I am not the only one putting pressure on myself to constantly be in forward motion. It is expected of young adults to go to college, get a job or internship, and plug right into the workforce as soon as possible, especially when one has college loans. Slowing down, taking time off, and setting goals that really line up with our dreams is not always encouraged.

I tend to do things a little differently, wouldn’t you agree? I am facing pressures that tell me to keep moving, flee the cold, and stay busy. I doubt I’m the only person who has the thought creep into my mind, “I will be happy once I______.” Or, “I can relax once I accomplish_____.”

In fact, we all can be completely happy and content right now even without all our ducks lined up perfectly. I try to turn that buzzing mind off for a moment each day and focus on all the things that make me happy and the people I love dearly.

Regardless of the season, this past month has been full of more challenges than I ever thought could be thrown in my direction. The series of events are so brutal I had to let go of the belief that “everything happens in threes.” More like, “when it rains it pours.” Just when I thought it couldn’t get any more intense, when the physical and emotional pain was too much to bear, the Universe pulled another carpet out from under my feet.

My most dedicated blog reader, Uncle Andy Jacobson died after battling cancer. Uncle Andy commented on every blog post I wrote. No matter how many jokes he made about my manure caked boots or smelling like a goat, he always encouraged me to follow my heart with this farming venture. He even sent his daughter up from New York City to work with me for a week last summer at Old Friends Farm.

Andy loved to tell jokes and he could make the entire room laugh with just one perfectly timed word. He modeled what living life to the fullest really means. Andy shook us out of our shells and pushed us to the edge. His life’s work as a graphic designer was built upon his brilliantly creative mind.

I have very fond memories of going down to NYC and staying with him and the family when I was in high school. I would sit in the study scanning every book on his shelf feeling how vast the world and how expansive the human mind. I never really enjoyed reading or writing in school until I spent time in that study. I would read for hours. My hand tried to keep up with my mind as I jotted down notes in my journal.

Thanks to Andy, my passion for writing was born.

Within the darkest moments, there is always a ray of light to remind us there is hope. It is no wonder when I uploaded my photos tonight they were all images of sunrises.

I highly doubt you will disagree with me if I say this is a very momentous time to be alive. Have you noticed any big changes, shifts, or feelings lately? These changes could be out in the greater world and/or in your mind. You’ve got to be pretty clueless to not notice a shift in consciousness because as long as you are open to it, then it will happen.

I am aware that this topic can bring up anything from excitement to fear for us. I’ve noticed my shift in consciousness comes out in both physical discomfort and pleasure; discouragement and hope; anxiety and calmness. Many events have sparked all of this energy inside my physical body and awareness surrounding my emotions.

As I sit here writing in a café, I can’t help but over hear an interview between a young woman applying to college and the recruiter. She wants to study astronomy and he is very curious about her interest in the subject. The endless possibilities the universe offers compels her to stare at the stars and wonder what exists besides what we know on Earth? She is fascinated by the limitless solar system and how little we actually know about what is happening outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.

What if our minds had no limits? I don’t have any desire to fly to the moon and send spacecrafts to Mars, but I do believe we can connect to a higher power here, on Earth.

Why the sudden interest in spiritual discoveries? Well, my job at the farm ended early November. Unemployment allows more time to deepen my understanding of the world and myself. I finally have the time and space to stay present. I try not to allow the distractions of work, internet, and the news consume more than a few hours of each day.

I am very blessed to not be employed for the coming months. This is ironic, right? While the unemployment rate in the U.S. is ridiculously high and people are really struggling to get by, why am I thrilled to add myself to the list?

For one, I worked really hard this season and deserve a break. Two, I think we ought to reassess what works means to us. Does your job truly enrich your life or is it simply a way to pay the bills? Third, why are so many people jobless when there is a huge amount of work that needs to get done if we are going to transform our communities in order to persevere on this planet? The unpredictable future that climate change creates is a perfect reason to explore unique job opportunities. Lastly, without a full time job, I am able to have all kinds of unique experiences: Occupy Wall Street, a weekend getaway in Vermont, long walks in the still green fern filled woods, chilly bike rides, and I get to watch the seasons change (even though it went from summer to winter to spring to fall this past October).

I’m sure we all have asked ourselves at different points in our lives, “How can I be most effective in creating social change while also leading a healthy life?” I am revisiting this question.

Small Tents, Big Buildings

Bike Power!

Farming fulfills me in so many ways, yet it is taking a toll on my body. Yoga and massage can only do so much to maintain my strained muscles and knotted shoulders. If I am going to commit myself to farming for my community, then some major changes to my daily routine need to happen.

I have a vision. I will not settle for someone else’s model of sustainable farming in the Northeast. The Pioneer Valley has made tremendous leaps in strengthening the local food system. We have hundreds of CSAs, a farmer’s market in almost every densely populated town, and restaurants take pride in serving local items.

"Still farming"- Oct 28 Blizzard

I am very proud to be a part of such an inspiring social change movement that is mindful of the environment. Let’s celebrate these large accomplishments together! As with any progress that is made to transform our world, we must always reflect on what we could do differently to strengthen the movement.

How is the overall health of your farmer? Does he or she have health insurance? What kind of impact does the combination of repetitive movements, physical exertion, bending over in the field for hours on end, stress, and 15 hour days have on a person? This is not a pity party, it’s a reality. This is generally the life of any working class person, not just farmers. I want to make this side of sustainable farming a little more visible to our community. If we want to truly embrace sustainable agriculture, we cannot be doing it at the expense of people’s physical well being.

My next moves are not set in stone for the winter or next season, but they will most likely involve healing my physical body. I may pursue yoga teacher training or massage school. I am ready for another challenge regarding food and farming, but before I can plow ahead, I want to figure out how to incorporate healing our bodies with healing our community’s food system. One cannot happen without the other.

How I'll miss the early morning bike commute to the farm

What the future holds for me is uncertain yet I trust this is where I am suppose to be. Now is the time to surrender and let our hearts lead the way. Our world is changing so fast and time is no longer what it used to be. I hope you will join me on this journey- hand in hand, hearts and eyes wide open.

Open Wide like the cereus who blooms only once at night

Fall is always busier than I remember. I tell myself the same lie every season, “Things will slow down once the summer is over.”

Old Friends Farm sits on top of a hill engulfed by red maples beneath where the red tailed hawks soar. Each day I try to take moment out of harvesting sunnies, lifting ginger, or feeding the chickens to really appreciate where I have found myself this season. The rich gold, red, yellow, and orange that wrap around the landscape leave me speechless. This is really where I work?

I don’t have to look beyond a laptop out my office window to see the how stunning autumn is. I am always in it. Whether I am biking to the farm or bending over in the fields there is no barrier between me and the outdoors. The air is fresh, the ground is muddy, the sun is strong, the rain often piercing (especially on a colder day like today).

Oh, today, I sigh. It was a good day overall, but my last day working with the crew on the farm. The temperature did not get above 40. My fingers either throbbed with pain or went numb but wouldn’t move, which is not very convenient while I do most of my work with my hands. The cooler where I pack wholesale deliveries into felt warmer than the air outside.

Admittedly, this thought may have crossed my mind a few times, “Although I love it here and I will miss the people, I accept this as my last day if these frigid elements are going to continue.” Unlike many people, I thrive in temps above 75 with hot sun beating down on my back. Even though I was raised in New England, I have very low tolerance for cold weather.

Now, let’s recall all the positive memories instead of my “I hate winter” rant.

GREENS

We finally have an abundance of greens this fall with cooler temps, better row cover management, and plenty of rain. Phillip is the greens grower and I am the greens processor. Every week he preps the beds by lifting them with a tractor implement, seeds them (12 rows per bed, very dense), covers with remay over hoops, irrigates if needed, waits 3 weeks, and then cuts them with the incredible greens harvester on wheels. He and this machine can do the work of six people in less time.

While all this is happening, I sanitize the washing tubs and do other little projects like pick nasturtiums and spinach, organize the cooler, and box wholesale orders. After four washings and two spinnings, we are ready to pack bags and stock the cooler for markets, restaurants, and stores. Go Greens Team!

SWEET POTATOES

This gorgeous crop is safely tucked into crates in the greenhouse curing. Some are the size of “guinea pigs” exclaimed Missy. She’s right. Two huge sweet potatoes weighed five pounds on the scale this morning. And they weren’t even the biggest. I made a sweet potato ginger peanut curry last weekend to welcome in the harvest. Sweet potatoes complement what…..?

GINGER

All but one row of ginger has been harvested, so get your supply while it lasts! I stocked my freezer and pickled almost two gallons. The deep earthy smell of freshly pulled young ginger is so grounding and screams medicine. I’d never tire of it, with the exception a few weeks ago when I harvested over 200 pounds by myself. But it was worth it for all of you!

FLOWERS

We may not have a big variety this time of year, but we sure have a lot of what is in stock. Sunflowers, celosia, zinnias. Every Sunday I do the sunflower harvest alone. Usually I bring no more than 8 buckets. Last Sunday, all three successions decided to flower at the same time (colder weather and less sunlight stressed the plants, possibly causing them to flower earlier). So, I filled 10 buckets and headed out clippers in hand.

After an hour of what felt like sunflower boot camp pacing up and down rows plopping each stem in my left arm, I surrendered to running out of empty buckets.

Phew. I reluctantly filled 12 more buckets with water because I wasn’t even halfway done. The field gradually changed from yellow to green. I ended up with 21 buckets each containing 50 stems. That’s over 1,000 sunflowers, I believe. I hope every one likes their bright sunny bunches for this grey day.

FOLIAGE

Breathtaking vistas remind my how much I love New England. Nature’s beauty is often so vibrant it can be overwhelming. Most of the fall I have felt really busy and sometimes scattered. Taking time to sink into the colors of fall has reminded me to just breathe on those long, seemingly endless days. We live in a stunningly beautiful world. Farming forces us to acknowledge nature’s treasures every day.

Thanks for a great season Missy, Casey, Phillip, Tamsin, Buzzy, Lisa, Ona, and Sophie!

Ginger Antlers Crew

Old Friends Lunch at the picnic table