As I work in the soil at the farm, I am constantly reminded of it's history as a once thriving and bustling residential neighborhood. Turning over beds and preparing them for new plantings always seems to uncover evidence of this storied past. I've found bottles, hardware, marbles, jewelry and other tchotchke that echoes the loss of humanity. Houses full of families and lives once populated this area. Houses so close you could pass a cup of sugar between them without having to step foot outdoors. I love thinking about that time period and how different Buffalo must have been during those times.
But times have changed and so has the neighborhood. The factors that led to the dissolution of the populous in the city are plenty and can be contentious and depressing. However, what is being created on this land is something that I am extremely proud of and the fact remains that we would not have the opportunity to do what we do, where we love to do it, if it were not for these changes. As the neighborhood continues to evolve, we encounter more people from all walks of life that appreciate the farm and the passion we have for what we do. We certainly do not win over everyone, but respect for our hustle and grind seems to be universal.
Long before the city was established, it was known to my people, the original inhabitants of this land, the Senecas, as Dó:šo:wë:h (Doe-sho-weh). This word literally translates to "between the Basswoods". The neighborhood certainly must have looked different then and I can only imagine what a wild and wonderful place it would have been. What the future holds in store for this place "between the Basswoods" is anyone's guess, but we are certainly enjoying the privilege of using it for the time being and we hope you can find some enjoyment in it too.
Eat well and enjoy.
J&T
