Tony (the farmer) took a gamble on me after an inspired email I sent last fall around this time, begging for the chance to spend a summer as an intern on an organic farm. My background consisted of an incredibly short list of growing things...meaning a summer with jalapeno's and herbs on my porch and this Spring's starts (vegetables began indoors prior to frost's end) pretty much summed up my gardening experience. I knew I wanted to work in this field and felt exposure to the life of a farmer was the best way to begin.
After an unofficial Spring internship, prepping the strawberry beds and such, I officially started at Whitefeather Organics, in May, as an AmeriCorps member. The 22 acre farm, owned by Tony and Laura Whitefeather, along with their kids, Siris and Ashae, is located on Sky View Rd, in Custer, WI. When I met Tony, a traveling hippie turned farmer, he would have said Whitefeather Organics was a vegetable farm that also raised turkeys for Thanksgiving; that swiftly changed as the 2010 season unfolded. Not long before I arrived, the farm got their first brood of meat chicks, along with 4 berkshire piglets. We were now also in the animal husbandry business. A dairy cow and bull calf also made their way to the farm mid-season.
After moving into the tipi, next to the vegetable fields and amongst a beautiful line of trees, my farming life began. My daily chores consisted of weeding, weeding, and more weeding...along with some planting, hoeing, and harvesting mixed in. I also collected the season's mushroom flushes; blewits, shiitakes, oysters, and winecaps. On occasion, I helped feed and water the animals and even participated in the first chicken slaughter; which proved hard but tremendously eye-opening. The days were long, but time passed by very quickly. A farmer's day is never over and the reasons were apparent in no time. We did what we should, in the time that we could, and produced the most beautiful and delicious food; everything from peas and carrots to arugula and fennel and so many others in between. Our days usually ended with a communal supper and Central Waters brew.
Tipi living proved easier and more wonderful than I could have imagined. Bestowing the most serene and calming effect on me. Even the rain (it was the rainiest season the Whitefeathers had experienced), was tolerable. I would pull a tarp over my bed and listen to the pitter patter as it hit the canvas and occasionally my head. Most of the nights were cool enough to sleep, with only seldom sticky evenings sprinkled throughout.
The 2010 CSA season is sadly coming to a close, with only four harvests left and the preparation of our winter share. This summer, I ate like a queen and attempted to savor it all. When Thanksgiving comes, the actual end, I will sit with my family and give appreciation to our turkey and fall veggies for providing nourishment and reflect on my incredible adventure this past year.
Tipi living proved easier and more wonderful than I could have imagined. Bestowing the most serene and calming effect on me. Even the rain (it was the rainiest season the Whitefeathers had experienced), was tolerable. I would pull a tarp over my bed and listen to the pitter patter as it hit the canvas and occasionally my head. Most of the nights were cool enough to sleep, with only seldom sticky evenings sprinkled throughout.
The 2010 CSA season is sadly coming to a close, with only four harvests left and the preparation of our winter share. This summer, I ate like a queen and attempted to savor it all. When Thanksgiving comes, the actual end, I will sit with my family and give appreciation to our turkey and fall veggies for providing nourishment and reflect on my incredible adventure this past year.
