The Harvest Bee Blog

Good Day, Friends: It's cliche', I know. Don't live in the past or the future. Enjoy and embrace the present. We hear it all the time, yet how often do we find ourselves immersed in another moment besides the present? It is only human to do so, of course, but, late yesterday afternoon I was reminded, why it is so important to stay grounded in the moment. As I was weeding out a patch of carrots that I expect to make their appearance in next week's shares, unofficially the last official week of the CSA, the sun was beginning to set on another beautiful day of work in the field. Neil Young's "Don't Let it Bring You Down" came over the radio and I quickly found myself frozen in the soil. Maybe it was just that cocktail of hands being entrenched in the Earth, serenity in the sky, and beautiful music...I dunno. Either way, it hit me like a sack of dirty potatoes that this farm season really is coming to an end, specifically the CSA season. I have enjoyed this ride we've taken together in so many ways. Yet, I felt a little sadness stirring within realizing that the end of this season was so much closer than than the beginning. Implementing yoga into my life (although admittedly not as much as I would have liked during the season) has undoubtedly helped me to stay significantly more grounded while farming than in years past. Still, I sincerely believe I need to grow more to do better in setting aside the worries and fears associated with running a CSA. The more I stay present, the more enjoyment I extract from the whole process and progress of working with a new piece of farm land and sharing food and moments with you all. The reality, though, is that while there is so much excitement in growing and harvesting fresh food for such incredible people, in full disclosure, during the day to day or week to week operations in the field, in order to make sure there is a healthy abundance of food for everyone involved in the CSA there exists this pressure to fulfill expectations for all involved or at least my own (I am found guilty of setting those expectations too high too often). You ask yourself, "Oh, man, we are only on week 4. How am I going to make it to week 21?" or "Shoot, she hates cilantro. What else doe she hate?" or "Are they sick of salad mixes yet?" or will this Broccoli EVER COME?!?!?! The list goes on and you get the point. Without even noticing, you can totally let some beautiful moments completely pass by while stuck in this foolishness of worry: a hens nostalgic cluck, or a lady bug nestling on a tomato plant, or a bee hovering on a flower right next to you totally minding her own business, yet existing right within your circle. None of these moments are ever taken for granted, yet are they totally appreciated? I admit I should have done better to appreciate each of these moments and many more throughout the season because it all goes by so fast and before you know it, those moments are, to quote Phish, "finally swept away." Wee 1 quickly becomes week 21 and you be like whoa! In the end, this group of members has been so undeniably present with each week's shares. No one has complained and what suggestions were provided along the way greatly helped...that type of support is always needed and nothing short of inspirational. All the kind words, warm hugs, social media posts, Christmas cookies, cards, help with putting together lectures, visits to the farm, help with weeding, and so much more...they are all greatly appreciated and firmly cemented in my mind each and every day. I thought about all this during that moment of clarity yesterday and realized that you all help me to stay more grounded in the moment. I need that, not just in making a CSA work on a more comfortable level, but to do better in truly cherishing what I have right in front of me, in that space and time, in all aspects of my life. You get a little soil (NOT DIRT!) under those finger nails and get close to nature and it is realized that there is a place for the past and the future on our journeys and navigation through life, but really all we have is this, right now. I am always committed to growing and learning and I do try to focus on the task at hand as much as I can, but farming will never be a me thing...ever. It is always about the organisms that surround me in the field, the people that support this venture, and the natural forces that encircle all of this. It is completely communal and altogether holistic. So, for those moments that I failed you all by dwelling or worrying too much, I truly apologize and even when I have expressed gratitude I always hope to show more. Please know that giving the best to you in return for you all giving so much to the farm will always drive the work I do. I know that most small scale, family sized farms feel likewise. You are the best group of CSA members I have ever worked with and supporting this first season on new soil will set a foundation for me as a farmer long into the future, wherever and whatever I grow. The soil has a ways to go to reach the apex of balance needed to produce the variety of vegetables and fruits I intend to. Yet, it has also come a long way from where it was when we first tilled the land and what it did provide this season and continues to provide, I am happy and thankful for. I hope you all are, as well. In this week's shares you will find the following: Beans Cucumbers 1 Bunch of Shallots 1 Bunch of Greens 1 Bag Salad Mix (Lettuce is pretty much toast, but the baby mixes are still kickin') 1 Pack of herbs The soil has really provided nice results on some late season trial Alliums (onions, leeks, shallots). This week, shallots steal the stage. Here is a recipe for an easy homemade salad dressing using those shallots and can be sued on your salad mix: *Mustard and Shallot Salad Dressing: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016831-mustard-shallot-vinaigrette Or if you have not used your taters yet, here is a recipe for a Shallot and Potato Salad: *French Potato Salad: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9354-french-potato-salad-with-shallots All the pressure and hard work, physical and mental exertion, and everything else that goes into growing food is both the yin and the yang of this crazy life. I guess, ultimately and for better or for worse, I would not have it any other way because that is the true definition of beauty...perfection as it is, not as we would like it to be. You all are perfect and we'll see ya when we see ya! -- "Onen", The Bees ?