NOTES FROM THE FIELD – Why Farm?

By Anna Kelchlin, Assistant Grower

Anna at the wash station

Saturday early morning the dew glistened in the sunlight on the shades of green as I walked through the fields to meet the tractor for the day.  It was one of those cool mornings where I love to feel the warmth of the sun on my face.  The clouds were giant cotton balls that took their time to float and watch us from above.  There was a light breeze that rustled the young cauliflower plants creating almost a gentle ocean wave.  It's rather surprising for August, but most of this week we experienced those perfect warm days and cool nights, great for harvesting and also for sound sleeping.
 

This week has been an adjustment for us all.  We are feeling the absence of Amanda and are learning to find our own paths through the bountiful vegetables and prolific weeds.  We seeded our last round of seeds in the greenhouse, some of which are spinach, lettuce, tat soi, and kale.  Tomatoes are beginning to ripen on the vine.  Eggplant and peppers are in full swing at our field in Weston.  Hundreds of onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and melons are in the near future.  We said goodbye to our wonderful interns Cassie and Alisa, who had brought a fun and energetic attitude to our harvest, weed, and youth crews.
 

It's the second week of August and we are tired.  It’s been 4 months now of rigorous growth and we ask ourselves, "Why do we farm?"  At times it feels like we will never get everything done and we won't.  As soon as we feel we are caught up, there is more just around the bend.  Earlier this season, Naomi and I went to a CRAFT on the topic of why we farm at Clark Farm in Carlisle.  It is a seemingly simple question that is extremely important to ask, with quite a complex answer.  I guess in any profession, every once in a while we should ask why, why do we do what we do.  For me personally, I choose to farm to be healthy and promote healthy living for others.  In my life I have been given many opportunities and this is a way to give back.  I farm because when I do, I feel contentment, not just the satisfaction of weeding a bed of lettuce, but a deeper contentment that feeds the soul and reminds us that we are all connected.  When farming I am contributing to a greater good in feeding others, in connecting others to their home and community, and as best I can treating the land with respect and care.  I farm for the love of the land in all weather and its ability to teach you how to move gracefully with change.  It is physically and mentally demanding work and I am exhausted each night and morning, but I am able to learn every day about myself and the world we live in.  I am grateful to work with such dedicated and spirited people.  As we look ahead to the coming weeks, more harvesting, transplanting, weeding, and irrigating are on the horizon as we continue to steer forward with stability, steadiness, and passion for what and why we farm.