A Breath of Fresh Air

At the change of each season, our weeks feel a bit fuller at the farm.  We make transitions to prepare for cooler weather, build fences to expand our woodlands, close out outdoor market seasons, gear up for winter meat drops, end poultry season with harvests, stock-pile inventory and organize freezer space, all while continuing the normal everyday roles of farm-life. 

How do we finish it all? Our team is awesome both at the farm and at the markets. We really feel good about the group of people we are working with right now.

Reconnecting

My mom and I recently traveled to the farmers market together to meet up with some of our team in La Grange, IL. We were impressed by the young men behind the blue coolers and the relationships forged with those eager to know more about their food.

All of our hands were busy, working together to serve the lines of people and fill freezer bags full of all the good stuff. During the organized chaos, we reconnected with familiar faces from years past and met new people who walked away feeling like our friends.

At the end of the long day, we drove back to Michigan reflecting on how grateful we both are for our farms’ journey; a journey that leads us to so many good people.

Visiting the farm 

The following week, those same young men working with us at the market, traveled to the farm for a meeting and farm tour to further strengthen their connection to their food and service. Minutes after the farm tour, my husband Nick traveled almost in tandem with them back toward the big city of Chicago.

Sharing our story

In the city, he met the operations manager of the Green City Market for the final Sustainable Supper Series at a restaurant called Longman and Eagle.  He enjoyed top-notch, thoughtfully prepared food by Chef Motyka, featuring dishes of pork belly and chicken from our farm. He then joined farmer Joe from Joe’s Blues Blueberry Farm on a panel to discuss the importance of getting to know your farmer, and how to pass that onto the next generation. 

As I chatted with Nick on the phone while he was making the late-night drive back to the farm, I could hear a shift in his voice.  Sometimes during these transition periods, our conversations feel heavy and hard-swallowed. But instead, I heard a spark of enthusiasm fueling his words. I understood it well because I felt that same feeling after working the farmer’s market last week. Time spent with people who are interested in food and farming ignites purpose – it breathes life into your farmer. And for that, we thank you.