The Dark Side of Farming

My previous post highlighted the sunny days full of harvest, bright colors, and finding plants in among the weeds.

To balance it out, I will now highlight some of the less savory aspects of a farm life....

So this week or so I've racked up my injuries from chickens and ovens and now have cause to renew my tetanus shot. I burned my thumb making a potato bake dinner, was bitten by a broody chicken viciously protecting her eggs, and attacked by a rooster.

Broody hen attack!

The rooster I speak of has been trying to attack me for a couple weeks now, but I've always seen it coming. This time, though, I was bent down petting Potato and he charged at my back. It felt like a ton of bricks had fallen onto my lower back, but luckily I came away with just a cut on my back. That rooster is now dead, after attacking one too many times. Sorry rooster, but on a farm if you anger the farmer it is completely within our power to prepare you for eating. It's the only place I know of that my instincts of killing that which angers me can be acted upon. I guess if I'm being honest with myself the completion of the kill still doesn't feel too good.

Even if this does hurt!

I was also working in the barn tidying up the workbench when a cat walked in through the open door to the fish pond. When I looked over, though, it was a sopping wet angry raccoon! My automatic response was flight, and I ran away swiftly all while dreams of being chased by rabid raccoons came rushing back. We now have a trap set, but so far no catch and I am still fearful of the barn.

These stories are by no means the only less happy parts of farming, but they are a glimpse. All I ever hear anyone say when I tell them I want to be a farmer is "it's hard!" Trust me, folks, I do know this.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It ain't Christmas, my friends, not for me.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my time at Squash Blossom Farm and have recently been delighting in the bounty of the garden. It is my first time working on a farm during the spring/summer rather than fall/winter and so I can finally experience the long-term fruits of my labors!

The cherries our tree produces are incredibly picturesque, especially when compared with my weeding hand.

Lunchtime class.

Can you find the beets and carrots?

What glory! They can finally see the sun!

Beans we planted roughly 3 weeks ago, growing strong.

Some of our beautiful harvest for the pizza party we had this weekend.
(Asparagus and Nasturtiums) 

The cabbage I planted at the beginning of my internship.

Brussel sprouts I planted when I first started this internship.

The fire I started to ready the oven for the pizza-party-pizzas.

Lettuce I planted when first I arrived. 

The aforementioned tree bearing seemingly endless amounts of beautiful fruits.

It's quite a special feeling walking through the garden seeing your plants thriving; fills you with confidence and admiration.

I hope all of you are enjoying your own summer bounties on this summer solstice as well! Start preserving those bounties as the days will start to wane again!

Just a Bit of Juxtaposition

Me with Potato, 2015

My mom with Pokey, c. 1975 (?)

My mother's light shines through

This is Potato. S/he is one of three ducklings I am currently caring for at Squash Blossom Farm and I am utterly smitten.