I think late Fall truly tests us as farmers. So many tasks… from cleaning up the fields of row cover, hoops, and hoses you’ll need right up until you they are too frozen to use (and then won’t be easy to put away)…to getting firewood in, figuring out expenses, grant applications, building projects and oh of course, continuing the harvest, washing, packing and delivery of everything left! Except now its 38 degrees, not 75. 🤨
Do we have anything left in us after the crazy bounty of August and September? After working so hard since early March? We better, because Spring won’t be too fun if we don’t get Fall right.
Most years, after the mad scramble to beat the snow, I inevitably find myself remembering something I missed. But its Ok… because it’s time to switch gears. Time to sit by the fire and catch up with family. Time to bake something delicious, time to relax…which I sometimes struggle with. After 15 years of building a homestead, a farm… the level of daily productivity we are used to…that energy doesn’t go away when a foot of snow falls. We channel it elsewhere. Long cross country skis, knitting, seed orders, microgreens, farm building projects, plans for next year, holidays.
I do so love the rhythm of farm life. The tasks that define the different times of year. I hope I can squeak out another 20 years or so…
