"... The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real."
This is the conclusion a favorite poem of mine by Marge Piercy titled To Be of Use (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57673/to-be-of-use).
Last week before heading out to harvest with our big group of interns, staff, and volunteers, I shared this poem in hopes that it would ground us in the 'commonness', beauty, and richness of our hard work growing and sharing food.
For me farming is a vocation that connects me with the richness of embodied labor. The work demands my strength and mind, and allows me daily to connect with and tend to God's creation in a very tangible way. This week as we finally got to harvest and share veggies after months of slogging in the mud to prepare, I felt affirmed and refreshed in my work. I am so thankful to be growing food here at A Rocha, where we have the privilege of growing food to feed our community and at the same time building community within our crew, mentoring and training them in the practices of sustainable agriculture and creation care. So thank you for helping to make that possible!
We hope you are enjoying your first box and eating as many salads as we are right now. They are tasting super sweet after a winter of longing for crispy fresh lettuce!
This week I want to highlight the mustard - it is brilliant, crisp and a stunning purple. I have to admit of the many greens mustard is not often my go to but this one is quite a stunner - I can't wait to spice up a salad with it or braise it up as a side. Feel free to share with us how you are using your box - we love hearing from you all how you are enjoying your veggies!
One last note - your pick up is Tuesday afternoon/evening. If you will not be able to pick up on Tuesday please let us know! If you do not let us know and do not pick your box up by Thursday evening we will give it away.
Cheers!
Farmer Carly
