Corn, beans and summer squash growing together here at Rolling Hills Organics
in a "milpa" system practised by Central and South American smallholders
The reasons I farm were addressed in my book High Up in the Rolling Hills, of course. Here is my commentary on an article in the Summer 2014 edition of Edible Toronto magazine written by Montana Jones:
To
farm or not to farm? For me, there is only one answer to this existential
conundrum – a hearty affirmative. As an organic market grower, I would be
bereft if I were not to be able to farm. I dread the day when my bones ache so
much and my back is stooped to such an extent that I shall have to surrender my
body to the waste heap and give up this farming life.
Yes,
farming has its challenges – the trying weathers with their spikes and
extremes, the bugs, the pests that gnaw away at the leaves, the weeds that grow
faster and bolder than the sown plants, the fatigue, the various downsides that
Montana describes, but…
There
is nothing in this world that I would rather make a livelihood from, nothing I
would rather be doing, dreaming about, planning, experimenting on, learning
about, innovating with, or even getting wrong, not perfecting. Each season always
throws up something new – new crops, new failures, new shortages, new over-abundances,
new challenges, and fresh successes, fresh insights, fresh joys.
What
could outdo the pride and joy gained from seeing seeds germinate, planting out
rows of transplants, dripping with the early morning dew, watching the red sun
come up over the horizon hills, harvesting the fragrant blooming lavender and
the strong garlic bulbs, looking back from the tractor as the earthy soil folds
over with the furrow plow, being in tune with the weathers and seasons,
inhaling drafts of fresh country air, feeling the glow of robust good health, interacting
with cheery regular and loyal customers, coming home from market sold out of
produce again, tasting the bounty, falling into bed and deep sleep as head hits
the pillow? Only by sinking hands into soil, out in the fields, in the glorious
landscapes we steward – only by farming – can we do all of this. To me, farming
is a learned trade; as with everything, proficiency comes with practice. And
yet, it is also a romance, a passion, a marriage, and a full-time commitment. There
is occasional heartbreak, but there is endless beauty. As in life in general, we
do it for the love.
So, hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to farm I go. Let’s keep on encouraging and inspiring fresh, new,
young farmers, and count our blessings.
