Of Ice and Steam.
In the winter, I think often about the narrow bandwidth in which we live. We exist on the crossroad of water, from ice to steam. In Winter, on the ice end of the spectrum, we are allowed to just as soon enjoy the beauty of the muted sounds after a fresh snow, the glide across a well packed trail, or stars out early and bright with the milky way stretched across the sky, as we are to contemplate just what we need to do to actually survive it all.
Maybe it is so for you too, this winter is passing quickly. Maybe it’s how mild it has been that is staving off cabin fever. Perhaps it’s that we haven’t had to move too much snow in the region yet (there is still plenty of time for that). Whatever it might be, this winter is flying. Ask me again in February, and I might sing it differently.
Winters on the farm are the season of planning, looking for the crew for the coming season (so far, so good!) and trying to make plans for what is coming while also being resigned to the fact that it could very well be that none of those plans will address what is. Farmers across the rural’s are leafing through their seed catalogs right now, trying to predict the season and coming trends. We’re taking advantage of every bit of warmish temps to get things done outside. We’re trying to spend time with friends and family, knowing in the summer we’ll be knee deep in it. We’re trying to spend time in the kitchen, not only to enjoy food, but also to know what we are talking about when you come to the market stand and say “So…what do YOU do with parsnips?”
We are assessing what we can actually achieve in the coming year, and still stay in business. This is a tight rope these days, especially here in the midwest.
Recently I send out an email to all the CSA members of the farm to let them know that the usual box share CSA won’t be happening this season. There are many reasons, but one that I didn’t say much about is that because of the compounding of weather these last few seasons, I didn’t feel that I could in full confidence provide them with what has become expected without either failing or myself going literally crazy in the process of succeeding. The weather last year made it impossible to prep for this season on the scale of the CSA. It left me feeling like I couldn’t in good confidence succeed with that obligation.
Tied in with all of that of course is climate change. The weather has been crazy. If you are an eater out there, feel free to interpret that as “Your farmers need your support now more than ever.”
For 2020, we are going to focus on the farmers market, farmers market shares, improving variety, dialing it in with our customers, and keeping a sustainable rotation going on the farm. All that I can commit to with a feeling of confidence. This is a big change. I’m in it just to see where it leads. Perhaps the road leads right back. Perhaps not. It does mean a big shift in planning for this season at least, and a lot more to figure out.
But that’s okay. It’s the planning season! I hope everyone out there is making a plan too! How will you eat this coming year, and from whom? It can be a pleasure and not a chore to do. It can also improve your life in ways you might not predict.
In the meanwhile, Winter can bring it! There is nothing like that narrow bandwidth on the lower threshold of existence.
Enjoy it! Be safe!
