This year our farm team is larger then previous years.
This is a critical year for us since we are not only responding to significantly increased demand, but also moving our farm to a new location. Extra farming plus building out a new farm on the side means extra hands were needed.
For the last few weeks we have kept our nose to the grindstone getting things as ready as we can for the upcoming season. But since we think the personal element of a small farm is super important we wanted to take a moment to let you know who exactly is out here growing your food.
So here we are:
Arguably the most important person on the farm is Megan. Megan owns the farm with (and is married to) Joel. Most of her energy is focused on the preservation of life, culture, music, and food in the home half of the farm. She has a background in dance. She loves feeding people through the communal sharing of meals. She loves being part of the holistic transformation of people-including herself-as they commit themselves to being in a relationship with the land. She's basically the bomb dot com.
The next most important person is probably Daniel. Daniel is Joel’s younger brother who just graduated from college. This will be his first full year at the farm. Daniel has worked on the farm every summer since high school but this year he is excited to take on a bigger role as the garden manager. Daniel has always loved working with his hands and spending time outdoors and he sees the farm as the perfect way to do both those things all the time.
Our seasonal help this year comes from Jedidiah English and Jonah Hitchcock.
"Jed" English is a recent college graduate from Chattanooga and a long time family friend. He joined Abraham’s Table Farm this season to enjoy the Minnesota climate and experience the beauty of life on a small scale farm. Before this he was working at a bakery in Chattanooga, and loves to do work with his hands in various capacities. Jed will be working here all year.
Jonah Hitchcock is from Chesapeake, Virginia and is working on the farm for just the summer. Jonah knows Daniel from college and found out about the farm from him. Jonah is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biology/Pre-Medical studies and eventually wants to work in the medical field after his graduation. Jonah grew up gardening with his family and is interested in health, nutrition, and everything outdoors.
Our three mini-workers are Una (age 6) Rosemary (age 4) and Frances (age almost-2). These three love getting under foot at the farm and tirelessly keep smiles on our faces. They also pay attention to everything we do and pick up on a quite a lot about what happens here. Their extra eyes often come in handy like when they notice some chickens are out or the first radishes are ready. We are glad to have them brightening our days.
And then there's me, Joel. I'm husband to Megan and the father of the three girls. Supposedly I'm the "farm manager" but I don't like that title nearly as much as husband and father. I've been doing this work ever since college and its still completely fascinates and inspires me. I really love growing food and watching landscapes transform and connecting people to the land. I'm really thankful to everyone who supports me in this work--I can't think of a better job.
That's the main crew! A lot of other people come and go and help us get the work done and we are so thankful for them as well.
Till next time,
Joel