Figs and Change...

Today I picked a plump purple fig from our beginner fig orchard. Hmmm... do 12 trees make an orchard? Back to the fig. In an extravagant impulse I popped it in my mouth instead of in the basket. As the sweet richness melted in my mouth, reminiscing thoughts began to traipse through my mind. What am I doing picking figs? How did our farm change from being a mono crop hydroponic greenhouse growing hothouse cucumbers to sell to unemotional brokers for whatever they felt like paying even if it was less than what it cost us to pick and pack them - to today? And what does today look like?

Today we grow little bits of a myriad of different things - like potatoes that beg to be eaten without butter, sharp garlic that commands the other veggies to stand at attention, watermelon that surprises you with its brilliant orange flesh, and the fledgling fig orchard that got this whole reverie going. We also grow larger bits of things like tomatoes that make you argue about who grew them, and cucumbers that insist on leaving their tender green jackets on. And instead of shipping it all to one or two far away brokers orders get pieced together like great grandma's shopping list and sent out to a long list of friendly involved produce managers, artisan chefs, and even right into people's kitchens through our FarmBox program.

It's been a journey of change marked by remarkable milestones. Viruses known and unknown destroyed crops, anger prompted the owner of a jug of Roundup to utilize it's lethal liquid in our greenhouse, our passion for farming but lack of natural and cultivated skill in business sprouted poor decisions and practices, devastating fires halted plans, and Monsanto's greedy move to control the greenhouse vegetable seed companies have all been major players in the painfully joyful transformation of this farm.

Change doesn't come easily neither does trust. But we've learned that all things do work together for the good of those who've chosen to follow God. We're committed to following and we have found Him more than faithful to that timeless promise. We are deeply thankful for the journey and for the change... and for the figs.




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Good Neighbors

Recently I came to the conclusion that our farm had a lot in common with Southwest Airlines. Now before you discount my unusual theory - listen to my story. The saga began back in early May. It was late at night and I was trying to get one last item checked off my "to do" list before sleep overtook me: booking tickets to my neice's wedding.

 Well sadly - probably because I was tired - I booked a ticket for Byron but completely forgot to book my companion pass. Yes - I have a companion pass that lets me fly FREE with my husband everytime he flies. How cool is that?! You just have to remember to book the ticket.

 Fast forward to 6 am June 23. We show up at the airport excited to be going up north to see family and imagine our shock when we find out that I had forgotten to book a companion pass for myself. Translate: there was no ticket for me. Normally that wouldn't pose a problem since it's a free ticket that can be booked anytime. Oops not normal. The flight was sold out! Just as panic was setting in, the ticket agent did the golden rule magic that we've come to love about Southwest, and in the blink of an eye she had changed my husband to the next flight and booked me a seat on it with him. I can tell you that ANY other airline - if they were even willing to attempt such a daring act - would've charged diamond studded cancellation and re booking fees.  She should've admonished me never to forget again - but instead she apologized that we had to go on a flight 30 min later than planned.

On the flight I was reflecting on the hoops she had jumped through to make it effortless for us to fly in spite of my careless neglect to do the obvious - book a ticket.  Suddenly I had an epiphany - Southwest Airlines is in business to help people go places - easily. While other airlines quibble over suitcases and hand out change and cancellation fees like lollipops Southwest just rolls up it's sleeves and says,  "Hey grab your bag and hop on. Since we're already going that way we can just drop you off."

 And that's our goal too. You see we are passionate about growing food veganically. So we figure we better just grow some extra for you too and while we're at it make it easy for you to get it - like in a FarmBox or at your local Whole Foods. And last but not at all least we figure that eating right should be deliciously affordable. After all, isn't that what neighbors are for?


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