a day on Victory Acres Farm

Jasper the farm dog

trellising blackberries

My friend from college, Leslie is working on a CSA farm (Community Supported Agriculture) this year. Its called "Victory Acres Farm" and its in Upland, Indiana. It was one of my stops on the Indiana Tour last week. i loved the time i spent on the farm...in fact, i've already started thinking about when i can visit the farm next.

We trellised the blackberry bushes. first we had to finish building the fence (not by ourselves...that requires some serious farm knowledge!). we planted some seeds. tended the little seedlings still in the greenhouse, and planted some plants out in the field. it was a great day.

There is just something really good and true about looking out in the field at the end of the day and seeing what you did. about planting and tending little seeds that in a few months will be providing food for people to live off. about being tired by lunch, and exhausted by dinner.

Those aren't common realities in the work that I do most of my life. the work i do is emotional, spiritual - still draining...and oh so necessary...but you don't get to see the "fruit" of your labor very often...and certainly not at the end of the day. it was good to be outside, to work hard, to reconnect with the earth, and simplicity (in some ways).

i also really loved getting to know Leslie's co-workers. they're incredible people. i enjoyed shared meals, and good conversation. i enjoyed late night talks with Les...and of course a trip to Ivanhoe's...a great little ice cream place if you're ever in Upland.

my one regret - i should have brought my cute rainboots that i got for Christmas before i went to South Asia (they were on the packing list...but i never really used them...i could have farmed and had cute boots if only i'd been thinking!)