Amy and I should confess that one significant advantage we have is working at an agricultural agency. This has given us the opportunity to share our ideas and problems with a large group of people that are very knowledgeable about agriculture. However, many of our co-workers work with big farms. I think that might be the reason that some of them (you know who you are!) have gotten into the habit of referring to our farm as a garden...
The other night I was out late at the farm wrestling with our irrigation pump, which was acting up. I showed up at work the next morning sun burnt and covered in mosquito bites. A co-worker came up to me and asked, "how is your little garden doing?". It took all of my will power to smile politely and explain that we are calling it a farm out of respect for ourselves and each other.
Now, we know they mean well and I realize that our farm is pretty small in the whole scheme of things. But, we are definitely a farm- this year we have two cultivated acres of vegetables that we are selling!
There are some amazing days out there, with beautiful birds circling overhead, little seedlings looking healthy, clouds rolling over the mountains and everything seems easy. Then there are days where it feels like everything goes wrong and nothing gets done. I love talking about both types of days and in fact, we rely heavily on feedback and input from others. Just don't ask us how the garden is doing!
The other night I was out late at the farm wrestling with our irrigation pump, which was acting up. I showed up at work the next morning sun burnt and covered in mosquito bites. A co-worker came up to me and asked, "how is your little garden doing?". It took all of my will power to smile politely and explain that we are calling it a farm out of respect for ourselves and each other.
Now, we know they mean well and I realize that our farm is pretty small in the whole scheme of things. But, we are definitely a farm- this year we have two cultivated acres of vegetables that we are selling!
There are some amazing days out there, with beautiful birds circling overhead, little seedlings looking healthy, clouds rolling over the mountains and everything seems easy. Then there are days where it feels like everything goes wrong and nothing gets done. I love talking about both types of days and in fact, we rely heavily on feedback and input from others. Just don't ask us how the garden is doing!
Oh my goodness I know what you mean. We started our first year of farming last season on 1.5 acres in Pemberton and we are surrounded by hundred acre+ potato farmers, who are perplexed by what we do. I was heartened at one point by a wise large scale farmer who did note that 1 acre of mixed veg farming is harder work than many acres of her larger-scale style of farming. Check out our blog www.rootdownbc.wordpress.com. Cheers.
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