As a kid, my mom always had a vegetable garden in the backyard - a corner of the yard in which I had a fleeting interest. Until I started my own little plots (strawberries and then a grape vine), my involvement was begrudging and limited to helping put out compost in the spring and harvesting veggies a la minute for family dinners through the summer. Though I'd like to say that I always had an inner desire to be a farmer, my mother would probably blow my cover by telling you that I was generally uninterested in the garden until the end of July when the carrots were ready. My interest would peak for long enough to enjoy the fruits of her labour - the carrots anyways - and completely vanish from September to June, when all the actual work was being done.
So I'll say that the backyard garden laid a foundation, back to which Barbara Kingsolver led me five years ago when I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I was mesmerized by this book. Coles Notes: writer in her 50s moves her family to a farm where they attempt to live off the land for a year. It was a true story and it planted a seed in my mind: this could be you someday.
When I set foot on Squash Blossom Farm, it was like I had walked into Barbara's book. Susan and Roger had grown kids and real jobs when they decided three years ago that it was about time they pursued their farm dream. The 10-acre plot that they bought is exactly how you would picture a quaint country farm: red barn, white picket fences, chickens, turkeys and ducks running loose, a handful of cows roaming on the pasture. Susan, Roger and their two interns (Bethany and Brendan) welcomed me with open arms and I soon joined in on their adventure: a farm dream in the making, learn-as-you-go, Kingsolver-style.
I woke up at 5am on my first morning on the farm due to a time-change/alarm clock fail. This is the not-too-shabby sunrise that greeted me out my bedroom window.
Another inside-out view from the kitchen to the farm. The tent in front of the barn shelters musicians who come to play at the farm on Sunday afternoons.
I didn't know you were a Kingsolver fan? Have you read Prodigal Summer by her? It's actually been sitting on my shelf for about 6 months with a post-it that reads "for Jen V" for the next time I see you. Also, Lambsquarters sounds along the same lines.
ReplyDelete-Your frosh, Emily