Over the past weeks we have talked about the many parts that make the operation whole.
The membership that helps fund, the staff and volunteers that lean in and the farm dog who keeps an ever watchful eye. With the potato harvest being front and centre now would be a good time to shine a light on the equipment that dutifully works alongside.
Specifically, I am going to introduce you to our 1928 Moog Potato Beater which sits idle amongst the tall grass for most of the year. It is a clever bit of kit that was originally drawn by horse and then retrofitted for the tractor. A game changer. Cogged wheels obediently lumber along dragging the shovel plate deep underhill. In this manner the potatoes are unearthed and then unceremoniously kicked out into the open by the mechanically driven spinner for easy pick up. When the soil is dry it works great.
This particular Moog had given generations of service to the Boyd family farm next door and I went to their retirement auction to purchase it. It was early spring and back then CSA shares were a hard sell. Four of the seven hundred dollars I had to my name was in my pocket.
The auctioneer was elderly gentleman with a quick tongue and even a sharper wit. It was mesmerizing as he worked his magic while his men moved amongst the crowd like herding dogs, single-ing out the bidders.
"Who is going to gimmie 600... 600 ... 6.. 525... 5.... ok... NOW... 550....550.. yes?? ok.. 575.." C'mon Ed, you know you are going to need it to pull that Ford of yours. Gimmie $575..cheaper than the tow truck! You are saving money here"
(muffled laughter)
I broke away and moved down the line. Way at the end was my prize. I walked around it a couple of times, appraising. Yup. This was the one. I put my hand deep into my pocket and clenched my wad of cash and let out a deep breathe.. No more than $350 I told myself... I can do $350.
The crowd advanced in procession moving up the line. Beside me was a 4 furrow plough.
"OK men, Now...THIS is a solid piece of equipment. Who is gonna give me 5... 500 hundred... no? I see...well lets get it going at 4... .. 350.. it is a steal at 350 .. lets get it at started at 350.. not going any lower than that lads I have to earn my supper.
I think it was empathy for the man's plight ...but without thinking I heard myself say, "YUP"
The auctioneer's eyes sparkled with delight. "Thank you!! Ok... so we have $350.. now do I hear 4? We are started. Who is going to give me 400.
Crickets.
Gulp . ... My heart stopped. I stared at the ground listening .. willing another bid...
375... 3... 70... and ...and .....
The gravel started to fall.
Please ..please.. noooo.. please..
Then from somewhere on the otherside...
"YUP!"
Ohhhh thank God.
Back to me. I shook my head firmly and kept my eyes on the ground. I heard 400...then it all drifted away.
I put my hand on the Potato Beater.. feeling the steadfast steel and checking my pocket for reassurance. The money was still there.
There was a break in the banter and the crowd shuffled around myself and the Moog. From the corner of my eye I recognized Mr. Trevor Boyd looking on with interest.
"Look at what we have here lads. Memories! Still works I believe doesn't it Trevor? Ha... there you go lads. Still operational!! You want to get in on this one Ed, it's gonna save you all kinds of time so you can have it to fix that Ford of yours! Ok... here we go... 300... lets give this ol' girl the respect she deserves... 300 ... 250... 225...
I couldn't wait on it any longer and so with all my resolve I called out, "YUP!".
Suddenly one of the auction herders was buddying-up beside me. They knew.
"Alright we have 225 from a man who knows what a solid piece of equipment can do. Who is going to give me 300?"
Almost immediately from behind I heard the echo, "YUP!"
"Now we are moving..." the auctioneer's sharp eyes were back on me and his man leaned in a bit to keep me on the path.
"Do we have $325?"
I gave a confident nod and his helper barked up on my behalf, "YUP!"
"350... who has got 350 for this tried and true piece of equipment? Trevor it works good doesn't it? Thought so...ok...do I hear
"340" came from behind.
I didn't budge.. my hand clutching the wad in my pocket.
"350!!" I countered while holding myself confidently still and straight.
"350 boys...we have $350 from in front of me here. Anybody going to take it to 4? .. 4... 375... no??
I wasn't even breathing. The gravel was falling. The auctioneers eyes were on me.
"SOLD!!! $350 to the man who knows a good thing when he sees it! Ok lads...lets keep it moving. Now look at what we have over here.. Ed, that truck of yours doesn't need all your money even it is a Ford so you might want to pry that water tight wallet open for this one."
(muffled laughter)
And just like that the crowd shuffled on, leaving me alone with my new aquisition beaming like a proud new parent. Mr. Boyd smiled and gave me a nod of approval as he walked past. A faithful part of his heritage had just been passed on to work alongside another and that connection made us both very happy.
Now, all that was left to do was to figure out how to get this heavy piece of equipment home.. but lets leave THAT story for another time shall we? (lol)
This week we get into the leeks .. nothing like a delicious leek and potato soup. Yum!! We are also unveiling the cured Spaghetti squash and the unusual warm weather has given us an extended pepper and patti pan harvest. Woot!
Also, the Early Bird sale for next season starts this week for those of you who were asking and please... if you are an 8 week share person and this is your last week.. please make sure you put out any of those green bags for us to pick up. We would like them for next season and we don't want to have to start charging people extra.
I will take one more moment though to wish you a very special Thanksgiving. Many are getting to be with family that you haven't been with for far too long. All the more reason to be grateful for the blessings we have in this life.
On behalf of the farm, I will conclude by saying say that we are thankful to have had each of you alongside to share the 2021 harvest. Just one more week after this one. We hope you have enjoyed it :-)
~Michael
