[CSA Update] Welcome to week 4

It's been a quiet week on the farm, where I put a million miles into tractors. When I was 3 and 4 years old, my parents and grandparents spent hours every day in the barn in the top yard. They would often be packing vegetables for market. I spent most days across the driveway in the sandbox, making gardens and driving my toys planning out patterns for fields.

Beginning Farmer

When I was 5 my grandmother Rae let her flower garden go and turned the flower bed over to my grandfather. Together, he and I planted several rows of parsley. I raised the parsley including weeding and watering. When it was ready I would pick and bunch it for sale to my grandfathers customers (other farmers, restaurants etc). The money wasn't much, but I like to add it to my piggy bank.

The following year I expanded her flower bed to do another round of parsley and added cherry tomatoes. I could stay close to the adults, and keep busy. Each year I simply expanded what I was doing with my grandfather. He loved his daily work, and I knew it was the place for me. 

Want to be a Farmer too?

Know someone who wants to be a farmer? A beginning farmer is not defined by age - I know many adults who make career changes. There are many options in agriculture. I had the advantage with my family already in the industry. I feel that the best way to learn to farm is by doing. Apprenticeships are invaluable as they are packed with real-world experience with an expert for support and a safety net. Many farmers are aging and are looking for someone to share with and encourage to take over the reins if they can do the work. There isn't a dollar value that farming requires to start - bottom line you start where you can and expand as you are able. I'm encouraging my own children to explore and evaluate for themselves, and part of that is looking at Lyman Hall VoAg programs. Young folks enroll as early as 9th grade and can explore new techniques as well as practice skills in controlled environments with someone other than "Dad" guiding them. Connecticut has a large number of respected VoAg schools. Leadership, community development, and real-world, hands-on projects - worth reaching out to learn more if you have a budding young farmer.