Intro

Welcome! This blog intends to give you — a person who undoubtedly eats, and maybe even grows some food yourself — a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the process of growing healthful produce for market. What’s it really like, in this day and age, to farm the land?

It was definitely my romantic streak that got me into this business in the first place, and I’ll bet you harbor some romantic sentiments about farms, too. Big red barns. Romps in the hay. Fields of sheep baa-ing into the morning. Hens clucking merrily as they wander around in the tall grass, trailing a dozen little fluffy chicks behind them. A big ole John Deere tractor, shiny and green, in the driveway. That sort of thing.

That was my vision, too. And then there’s the reality: early mornings, no weekends, down and dirty, nitty and gritty, besieged by plague, pestilence, drought, fire, and flood. Invasions of cucumber beetles hell-bent on eating every last seedling. Forget the big red barn barn and fields full of sheep — you’ll be cultivating whatever tiny scrap of land you can afford (or are permitted to squat on.)

First and foremost, this is the behind-the-scenes look at the trials and tribulations of a first-year farmer (now a second year farmer!). But I’m also going to try and keep you up-to-date on the latest farm-related news stories — and provide you with some information that might be helpful if you choose to “grow your own,” whether your plans involve a full-on farm, medium-sized market garden, a small backyard, or a three-foot windowsill.  I’ll offer tips on hardy crops and laying chickens, as well as some “do as I say, not as I did” advice gleaned from any of my many farming disasters.

I hope you enjoy it.