I Don't Know What I Am Doing!

I am not entirely sure what I am doing in terms of writing this blog.  Are there rules to follow?  Am I supposed to have a weekly theme?  Do I start my blog with a thought and make sure to come back to it with my closing?  Look elsewhere if you are wanting a well written blog about farming.  My intention is really just to write a paragraph or two in the beginning to describe the past week on the farm and then show you pictures.  I like looking at pictures and usually just skim through the wording so I am trying to write my blog like that.  But I am open to thoughts, suggestions, and feedback!

This past week, I was on chore duty which means the farm is my life.  This early in the season, my chore duties really just centered around taking care of the greenhouse but will eventually include feeding & watering the pigs, some tractor work, checking on crops to make sure they are doing well (Are they getting enough water?  Have rabbits been nibbling on the leaves?  Etc), and whatever else needs to be done on the farm.  There really is no such thing as thinking "but I don't wanna!" when farming.  If the crops or livestock need it to survive, then you better be providing it.  Taking care of animals is easier.  If their water is near empty, fill it.  If it is their eating time, then feed them.  If they are lethargic or acting abnormal, find out what is wrong.  But with plants, I have no idea what is going on.  I do not exactly have a green thumb and this being my first year as an apprentice, I am new to all of this.  I am in charge of watering the greenhouse this week, and although it sounds easy, it's rather difficult!  I need to take into account the present temperature while thinking about the highest temperature of the day, sunrise and sunset, cloudy vs. sunny, and the moisture content the seedling has at the moment and what it needs to stay healthy.  I am sure I am missing some key elements in that explanation as I am still new to greenhouse management but so far, everything is still alive so I am calling this week a success!  After seven days in a row of 11-ish hour workdays, I am ready to get back to 9 hours a day of farming.  Here is a bit of what the past few days have looked like:

Jeff demonstrating how to flame weed using a full propane tank (like the one you use for your BBQ) an insanely old external frame backpack, a hose, and some fire.  When showing us this Jeff said "Here is the backpack.  Is it comfortable?  I don't care.  It's functional and it works."  

Sometimes the truck gets stuck in the mud and even 4WD won't help.

Can you see me under there?  I am replacing some parts on the seeder.  Don't I look professional?

Taylor classed up tractor maintenance day by wearing a sweater vest.  Farm fashion.

Working outside?  Awesome.  Eating lunch outside?  Awesome.

Thursday we were invited to attend the ground breaking of a community garden managed by Isles, a non-profit dedicated to creating self reliant communities.  Howell Living History Farm brought a pair of Belgium draft horses to plow the land and they gave us each a turn behind the reigns!  

Thursday also happened to be my first time on the tractor that I will be using for the season.  Driving a straight line sounds simple but it's actually quite hard!  I did better than I expected but still need to perfect my tractor skills.  Jeff said "You're going to get a lot of ass time in that seat" so I guess that means I will get plenty of practice and become an expert tractor operator in no time!

Fellow apprentice Nicole is from Fort Collins, CO and has never been to a Wawa so we obviously had to capture this life time achievement moment!

Row cover protecting our newly transplanted kale and collard plants from munching rabbits, deer, and insects.  Kinda a pain to put on, kinda a pain to take off but necessary to protect our crops!

I do not know what I am doing when it comes to writing this blog, managing a greenhouse, or driving a tractor.  But I do know that I enjoy them all and I feel like that's the most important thing.  Farming experience will at least get me to eventually know what I am doing with the plants and how to drive straight lines on the tractor.  As far as writing, well I believe even famous authors say their work is never complete so I am just happy with friends and family telling me that they enjoyed reading my blog, looking at the pictures, and perhaps are trying their hand in seeing if they have a green thumb.  Not knowing what you are doing is not an excuse for not trying.  So get out there, try something new, and live life.  It feels great!