But that is the thing with organisms and a farm is an organism, what some might call a super organism. In other words, the various organisms from soil microbes (or even the minerals in the soil) up through the plants, the animals and up to the farmer act a bit like a new organism comprised of all the formerly independent organisms. The farm organism goes through stages of growth and development much like other organisms and changes over time. The farmer…and the community surrounding the farmer… travel together from infancy through childhood, adolescence, etc. requiring a very long time commitment and resolve to overcome obstacles placed in the farm’s life of development and even to its survival. A farm abandonment can be compared with a death in that sense.
I think this need for long term care and support by the farmer and the usual short term involvement by the consumers of the farm’s products is one of the sources of why all farmers find the business of farming so complicated and difficult. In the financial world we would call this dis-intermediation. Nash Huber of the Delta farm has commented on that topic on one of the posts on this site. Uncertainty breeds risk and volatility.
What makes this an exciting opportunity is that people who are interested in improving the lot of our local farmers can help by working together to reduce “volatility” for farmers, volatility in product demand, prices, land costs, etc. The Kitsap Community and Agricultural Alliance represents one attempt to do this.
Have a listen to a recent phone interview I had with Jennie where she generously shares some very personal details of her journey as a farmer. Her story could spur some ideas for other aspiring farmers so its worth listening to the entire 50 minutes when you have a break in your day. We can all get to meet the producers, learn about them, become their friends…and answers will come if we ask the right questions. And, in spite of some bumps in the road Jennie appears to be headed toward making enough from her farming efforts to become a full time farmer.
Yo Jenny:
Wish I could be 25-30 again and that would be the most inspiring tale I’ve heard. However, that isn’t going to happen so will narrow it to one question. Do you Jenny, have/sell unscoured wool like that that used to be available for the knitting of Erin Isle Sweaters etc? Would love to have some and hope to last long enough to make one more of those lovely things. Best regards and with great adminration. Lou
Dear Lou, Thank you so much for your email – I too would like to be 25-30 again! I do have and sell unscoured wool which I am in the process of “skirting” (fancy word for cleaning up the fleeces of hay and other barnyard dirties) some of this spring’s shearing. I have browns, blacks and greys. I can hold back any of those from processing if you would like. You can come by and chose your fleece if you like or I can send a few samples. Just let me know. Thanks again for your interest. Sincerely, Jennie Watkins 360-732-0111