A Poem Passes Away Chores

By Casey Peterson, Guest Commentary , October 6, 2011 at 1:30 pm

If you're a regular Hindsight reader, you've probably read at least one of our "Eating Out of the Box" posts, chronicling John Van Hecke's weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) delivery.

As the growing season winds down, here's an inside look at Earth Dance Farm from one of its frontline workers. (This is part two—read part 1) 

The Long (F)arm of the Law

There are many legal considerations when dealing with food. An issue recently brought up got me thinking about the many aspects of the law a farmer needs to be aware of.

Norm recently purchased 25 boiler chickens and built a portable coop with the intention of using it as an instant fertilizer mechanism. Laurie brought up the fact that it would be important to put up a fence around the coop wherever it maybe in the field to prevent the chickens from potentially creating a health risk with the crops currently growing.

It’s easy to overlook details like that but it’s crucial to always be aware of the possible implications of any project.

Be Still Thy Weeding Heart

Weeding can be a very meditative, almost zen-like experience. Although the tedious and menial nature of weeding and other farm tasks can be frustrating at times, I’ve found it helps tremendously to use that time advantageously as an outlet for artistic thought.

Much can be gained from approaching farming with this mindset as opposed to letting any discomfort overwhelm your thoughts. As an example, here is a poem I wrote while weeding cabbages last week:

None can pull me, so eloquently
Into the realm of dreams
Like the crow which flies with
blackened wings
On winds of sorrowful means
He calls me hither, to gaze upon
The fields of stalk and stem
To mourn the waning of the sun
And judge the work of men

The bottom line here is mentality is everything. Farming is what you choose it to be. For me, it’s an opportunity to explore my creativity, to connect with nature, to sustain myself and my community. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I look up from what I’m sure has been at least a hundred feet of weeding only to realize I’ve only gone three feet. I’ve learned that to survive as a farmer, it’s important to be just as mentally fit as it is to be physically fit. Of course, an Ipod helps too.

Posted in Economic Development | Related Topics: Agriculture  CSA  Food Safety