Three Years - Organic Again

This post will go live at 6:50PM on July 27, commemorating an event that occurred exactly three years ago.  Rather than take you through the history of that spray event here, we will refer you to the overspray topic on this blog that you can view by taking this link.

We are currently working through our eleventh season of growing produce and raising poultry on our small diversified farm we have dubbed the Genuine Faux Farm. The farm can be challenging and rewarding - often at exactly the same moment in time.  Attempting to grow/raise as many things we do on the scale we have chosen is not a simple task and we have to deal with natural events that may limit production.  As a result, it is that much more devastating to us that a human element jumped into the fray in 2012 and destroyed many of our crops and much of our enthusiasm for the rest of the 2012 season - and maybe even a significant part of our enjoyment and energy for 2013 and 2014.

We have been approaching this anniversary with equal parts anticipation and trepidation.  We want to celebrate moving forward, but we do so knowing, all the while, that spray season is upon us.  Will those around us be responsible with their chemical applications?  Is that airplane I hear heading our way?  And for what purpose?  Which way is the wind blowing?   What's that I smell now?  Should we leave the farm together to deliver veg?  What happens if someone sprays while we are gone? 

So, we approach today with guarded optimism.  And, as is often the case - we look for inspiration that encourages us to see the positive. 

Seeds help us to renew our optimism that small things can lead to big rewards.

Flowers remind our senses to enjoy beauty in all of its forms.

People who give of themselves remind us that we are not alone.

Nature reminds us that endings (and beginnings) are worthy of recognition

Our work reminds us that not every job we do leaves a mark as much as moving a building, but that doesn't make it any less important that we do it.

Sandman reminds us that sleep is necessary to be effective during our waking hours

And harvests of prior years give us a view of what may yet be as this year progresses.

A big thank you to everyone who bothers to read what we write, eat what we grow and support what we do.