Welcome to Channery Hill Farm!

FYI: I'm writing these in a weird order since I don't have a chance to write every day I just kinda write them all when I have free time. For instance, this one is being written during the hurricane, so I've already been on the farm for a week-but I'm trying to write them as though they go on a day by day basis. so yeah...

Welcome to Channery Hill Adventures!!

Channery Hill, wtf? Yes, I know…the last you heard me speak of farm internships, I spoke of Holton Farms, in VT. So how did I get to Calicoon Center in upstate NY?

I was on my way up to Westminster, VT. It had taken 3 days to get there and my mom and I were an hour and a half away when I finally got a call from Jurrien, one of the cousins who owns the farm, telling me that the season has been disastrous and they had to let all their interns go.

Yup, just as I suspected. Oh well, no hard feelings. He was very apologetic and I could fully understand how I slipped through the cracks. So here's what happened after I got that call:

My mother pulled Ruby over into a parking lot, where we became blocked in by a fire truck and an ambulance helping a girl in the car next to us. During this emergency, we decide to have dinner with my ol' friends, Corinne and Katie, along with their mothers, and then go stay the night at our cousins, the Racer-Rice house.

Of course, when we get to Ann and Thomas', we find out that their son Connor has gotten really into organic farming in the past year and is currently working on a farm at Martha's Vineyard. Oh of course! Now my luck changes!

AND today is his day off, so we can actually call him! He basically gives me a bunch of links to helpful sites where i could find some other possible internships.

So, I send out some emails, hear back from a few farms and I take interest in Channery Hill since in their response, they seem genuinely interested in me rather than "oh, we'll talk-send us your farming experience" even though I've already mentioned in my original email that I have NO farming background! :-p

Within three days I had snagged another internship. Can you say kapowza!? Yes? Okay-well that's unrelated. But anyway, I was excited.In the meantime, my mom and I had stayed with Carol in Boston and Kate in NYC. So we'd been to a lot of places.

Let me recap the trip:

Saturday we left Bowling Green at 3 pm and began the journey

Sunday we stopped at Niagra Falls and did a little touristing there

Monday we heard that my original internship failed, and we went to my hometown to eat dinner with my friends. Then we went to Andover and stayed with Ann and Thomas and had to turn down going to their house on the Island off of Maine.

Tuesday we went to Boston and stayed with Carol. This is where I first learned that too much rain can cause produce to split.

Wednesday we headed out to NYC and stayed with my sister. This is when I learned that I could meet Kai and Jen on Thurs. since they'd be in the city for a CSA drop.

Thursday we met them, and realized they were pretty awesome

Friday my mom and I caravanned up to Calicoon Center and stayed with Jen and Kai. We got a tour of the farm, met their friend Linda and their other intern, Jimmy, and did a little tour of Jeffersonville-a neighboring town.

Saturday my mother left and I moved in and began my internship.

What a ridiculous week, right? When I think of all that we did that week, it's just… a little mind boggling.

So, that's that. I now live in the Catskills, with lovely people, on an amazing farm, with outrageously beautiful views.

I'd say it worked out perfectly.

The images really don't capture it...

A Moment.

I don't know how one can feel so good and yet so bad at the same time... in the same instant!

Take the song Hallelujah for instance:

It is so empowering, yet so personally sad all in just 4 minutes.

I also don't understand how one moment everything can be fine and then in an instant it's gone and the thoughts that once made you happy now fill you with debilitating pain. Such as what happened with Cinnamon. Your life will never be the same, truly. Time may heal, and attempt to make you forget that pain. But the truth is, those thoughts will never be as happy; they'll never exist without a smidgen of nostalgia. A hint of pain.

And what's worse is happiness is never as long-lasting. You may get a promotion, win a race, or even get married. But that burst of pure happiness that occurs never lasts. And eventually even those happy thoughts are thought on with nostalgia, for what was and what could've been, for that unadulterated feeling.

Then there's love. That nobody understands. And that's what sucks. Because we all think we understand. And perhaps we do, in our own way. To you love is blind. To her love is fluttery. To him love is safe. To me love is calculated.

There's the problem. Because we each define it in our own individual way, no one else, not even the ones we love, can fully understand what we see, feel... what we understand as love.

So when somebody who loves needs space from said love, many may find it alarming, as though that somebody is running away from that love, but in their eyes it may just be strengthening it. Perhaps strengthening themselves so they can take on that incredible emotion, head first, and enjoy it.

And then there's the opposite. There's the "clingy," those that want nothing but to be with their loves as often as possible. Many may find it alarming, as though that somebody is smothering that love. Giving in too much. But in their eyes it may just be strengthening it. Perhaps becoming vulnerable to that incredible emotion, completely, so they can enjoy it.

Since we only live once (though I hope I am wrong about that. Reincarnation is my friend) we have to enjoy it. We will do everything we can to enjoy it.

To enjoy this fuck of a life.

Junior research paper on GMOs. Hope it makes you angry.

All of these sources are reliable: they had to be in order for me to pass English my junior year

Genetically modified (GM) foods are rising as a new contender to the good ol’ natural crops we have known and loved for all of human history. No longer are we satisfied with having a sufficient amount of food, we want a surplus, and how do we plan on getting that? Genetic modification, Genetic engineering, and biotechnology. All of these procedures attempt to create superior crops which can withstand all pests, weeds, pesticides and can end world hunger. Scientists construct these super-foods by taking the genes from one organism and injecting them into another, thus fixing genetic defects and making them safer to consume.

The main GM food advocate and company, Monsanto corporations, specifically names the farmer’s, processor’s, and consumer benefits of these new and improved crops, and even said, “for many farmers, especially small-scale growers, our products help improve their lives by helping them produce more while conserving more time and inputs” (Monsanto).

While the benefits of genetic modification seem numerous and infallible, further research shows that these benefits may only be superficial claims leaked by the big GM company, Monsanto, in order to raise profits. Not only has not enough adequate research been done to determine the safety of these products, but the overtake of GM organisms may severely harm the natural world teaching us, perhaps too late, that trust should never be inherent.

Of course Monsanto is going to wholly advocate the use of GM products, they sell the seeds. However, it’s hard to trust these strange new products produced by this company when their track record has a deep scratch in the middle of it. During the Vietnam War Monsanto was the main supplier of the highly concentrated chemical known as Agent Orange which devastated an entire country. Even with the copious amount of perverse effects that, Monsanto was later revealed to have known of through internal memos; the company encouraged the use of the murderous agent in order to make a buck (Parkins). What proves that they aren’t covering up a huge array of negative side effects dealing with GM food? Nothing. And with the company’s history, it is shown that ethical values do not come before business practices.

Another characteristic of the company that comes across as a red flag is that they don’t find it necessary to mark GM products with labels telling that the foods have GM ingredients (Roseboro). It makes it almost impossible to believe that the products truly are a type of panacea food when the heads of the GM business refuse to put labels on their enhanced produce.

Monsanto’s assertion that GM food is completely beneficial is also premature. Little is actually known about the pros and cons of GM food since the current research is “woefully inadequate” (Roseboro). The majority of the experiments done on GM foods have been conducted by biotechnology companies but when independent researchers attempt to study the safety of the GM products they are harassed until their fear stops their curiosity (Roseboro). Meanwhile, those studies that are released by the big biotech companies show an absence of negative effects. Those independent companies that do end up finishing a study under the radar generally find adverse effects of the GM products (Roseboro).

These side effects aren’t just pesky disturbances; some findings are revealing that mice fed GM corn are suffering from reduced fertility and immune system problems that worsen over the span of time that they eat the modified food (Roseboro). These conflicting studies should send a warning sign to all the GM advocates. If nothing is done to at least slow the output of these engineered foods twenty years down the line we may have a world-wide crisis in which all of our food is contaminated with harmful gene modifications.

Unfortunately, the big companies’ GM plan has already been implemented. “More than 80 percent of the corn, soybean and cotton grown in the United States is genetically engineered” (Pollack). If those numbers aren’t terrifying, the fact that in 2006 twenty-two countries had already adopted biotech crops and farming should be (James). If those numbers continue to steadily increase, within a decade the world may be completely rid of natural farming, and may solely rely on GM farming. This would mean that our shelves would be stocked entirely with unknown products that, for all we know, could shut our immune systems down.

Humans aren’t the only beings at risk, however. GM food has the potential to severely disrupt the environment. Because men are creating superior organisms and releasing them into the wild, natural selection is being tampered with. Naturally, plants and animals that survive long enough to reproduce are superior, however now it’s the humans that choose the unsurpassed organisms. It will no longer be natural selection; it will be changed to manmade selection.

“What will happen to wild fish and marine species when scientists release into the environment carp, salmon, and trout that are twice as large, and eat twice as much food, as their wild counterparts” (Cummins). It seems that this is a direct parallel to the introduction of exotic organisms that overtake the natives and leave the regional ecosystem in ruins; mankind should learn something from the trials already handed to them.

One of the well-known benefits of these GM plants is that they can be engineered to be self-pesticide producing, meaning that farmers won’t have to spray pesticides on the plants themselves. Nevertheless, the surrounding weeds and pests may also gain the ability to be pesticide or herbicide resistant due to genetic pollution. This would mean that eventually stronger, more harmful toxins will have to be used to rid the crops of these, now immune, farmers’ nightmares (Cummins).

Perhaps the most frightening aspect of the genetically modified foods is that once they’re released, they can never be recalled since they are living, breathing, unpredictable organisms (Cummins). GM foods will be the children of humanity, rampaging through the ecosystem, populating the earth, and feeding the world. If this child turns out to be a bad seed, we’ve got a major problem on our hands since just as you can never recall your children, no scientist, company, researcher, farmer, nor any man can take back the outpouring of living modified organisms. So you decide, take a stab in the dark and let Monsanto rush GM products to the market, or take the time to truly research the possible effects, good or bad, of these genetically engineered organisms.

Time Capsule

It is May 2011, and today I opened my time capsule from May 2008, the end of my first year in high school.

Now I am graduating. I am done. I am moving on and pursuing greater paths!

This becomes more and more true as May 29 rolls closer and as my classes begin to end. I only have two more AP tests and then as far as I'm concerned High School is over for me! This is the first time senioritis has hit me since I had never had, and still do not possess, the security of a college-however I'm 14 days away from the end and my AP tests are almost over. HUZZAH!

The only things I have to worry about are English-oh, Heart of Darkness, why!-and Newspaper, which I currently have under control.

Anyways, I know I should be viciously attacking my Comparative book for information, I had been studying it so diligently before I got sick but now I'm way off track and I have to cram. :p (that's not a happy tongue-sticky-outy face), however blogging about my time capsule just seems crucial.

I put so much work into it. I was easily the person who put the most stuff into it and it paid off. I had pictures and old writing pieces, lots and lots of notes to my [future] self and just random stuff that reminded me of who I was my freshman year.

And basically? I was the same person. Philosophical, passionate, emotional, confused...the only difference seems to be that I've grown in every aspect-I'm the same person I just have many many more experiences to add to my "self."

Interesting. Interesting. Interesting.

I'm going to pry open comp. now, but I still do promise a Melting Chocolate Cake post, I'll get to that when I get to cleaning my room, which will be next week-I'm so excited to have a clean room!! Yay time!

And it's official, I got the internship at Holton Farms. Yip Yip Hurray! So one semester down, one to go.

ciao!

News

Nevermind about Bradley not contacting me.

He called me this afternoon and I may have, more than likely, gotten the internship, so...

yay!?

A moment of elation.

I am in the journalism lab right now, having my down time during the day (taking an aide period was an extremely good idea) and I am quite elated.

For one thing, this long week is almost over, I have nothing major to do for tomorrow, the worst part of my stats final is over with, tomorrow is Mayhem, and in 2 weeks I will basically be done with high school (yay AP classes)!

Anyways, Jostens, the evil company who tries to sell us class rings for 200 bucks, is here today delivering caps and gowns. I specifically remember being IN THE HOSPITAL meaning NOWHERE EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO THE SCHOOL during the week that students were ordering these graduation materials, so I've been feeling slightly high-strung and sad today about not receiving my cap and gown along with the other seniors and hoping that there was still time for me to place an order.

I head down to the room allocated to Jostens for the day and explain my situation and ask what the best way to go about ordering these mandatory things would be. She asks for my name, just to make sure I'm not listed and low and behold: "Kelly Rose?"

"Oh, uh, yes...Johnson...Kelly Rose Stroot Johnson?"

"Yup, a cap and gown. You owe $37.95"

"OH! well, my money's back there, er, in the room ICANGOGETITANDCOMERIGHTBACK!"

"okay"

As I'm walking away: "yeah, my name's Kelly Rose Stroot Johnson so..."

"okay, yeah"

I now own my very own graduation gown, cap, and tassel. This is finally happening, and though I can't think about about my college as I throw my cap in the air as celebration, I've still made it through with an overabundance of credit and, more importantly, a plethora of experiences.

Besides my speaking like an idiot to the Jostens lady and the killer, Question 6 in stats, todays been pretty awesome.

That's all, though. That's my moment of elation.

Negative side of this post: Bradley has still not gotten back to me. It's been around 2 weeks and I've already sent him a reminder e-mail essentially saying "hey! don't forget about me! I still wanna do the internship!"

So, I'm hoping he's just on a nice vacation somewhere where he can't check his e-mail. Like a cruise. With WARM MELTING CHOCOLATE CAKE!

That will be my next post: how to make warm melting chocolate cake. Pics included.

I'm seriously done writing for now. CIAO

Waiting...

So, I've sent off my cover letter and resume' to Holton Farms, hoping for an internship with them for a semester so I can learn and live organic farming while also becoming a part of the "food justice" movement.

Why is this out-of-nowhere-idea a good idea?

-I actually really enjoy being outside, if the evils of the electronic 21st century didn't exist I may've been a happier teenager, gettin' all that serotonin! If only I didn't get sunburnt...

-HEALTHY LIVING! Seriously, I'll be doing manual labor (most likely) pretty much every day which ill work me into shape because, really guys, I am OUT OF SHAPE (I wish there was another phrase for that, because you can't tell by my shape that i'm "out of shape," it all has to do with my stamina and ability to move around for long periods of time).

I would be living in a place where, instead of giving you much pay for your work, they give you free veggies. Now that's a good deal and will certainly make my doctor happy.

Because of the work schedule I anticipate, I assume that I'd be waking with the sun. And since I probably won't be working with many-if any-people my age, I won't have a whole lot to do in the evening, meaning I'll be able to sleep with the sun too! This, I hear, is extremely refreshing!

-I will be away, secluded, no escape. This can, indeed, be translated into a positive. Although I am a little nervous about feeling alone and bored (though I may be completely wrong...maybe there will be other young people or, ya know, I can make friends with adults), I figure it what I've been wishing for through most of high school-having down time. I can read lots and lots, I can study anything I want to and learn at my own pace, I can finally know what it is to enjoy the natural day. I'll also feel as though I've earned my sleep at the end of the day. It will be a really nice refresher after the fast-paced cramming, late nights, yadda yadda of high school. Though I'm not saying this will be a BREEZE, since as I mentioned before-farming isn't easy work.

-I'll be exploring an interest of mine. Let's say anything can happen. I may fall completely in love with it and finally know what I want to do, what my life's calling is. And if it's not? I've got a new 100% useful skill so I can hopefully become at least a subsistence farmer in the future. I would reduce my carbon footprint that way, and it'd be cheaper and yummier!

-I'd be off, out of KY, on my own, learning independence! I'd get to learn about my new, adult self, see what I'm like.

-They focus on food justice. 'nuff said.

-I'm sure there are many more, but hopefully I've convinced you by now that this isn't a completely radically wrong decision.

I've also spoken to one of the guys from the farm (idk his position, actually, but he's the one I sent my stuff to), Bradley. He seems quite nice, and also seems to think I fit most of the description of what they're looking for, which is good. But he's not the one who makes the decision.

Anyways, here's the main correspondence I've had with Bradley:

B:Remind me, do you have any farming experience? Why do you want to work on a farm? What particular aspect are you interested in? Would you be cool living in a shared house with our male workers (you'd have your own room), and working for a very small stipend and free vegetables?

K:My farming experience consists mainly of my work in the Galapagos Islands, planting trees, pulling weeds, excavating vines from the islands natural vegetation, etc.... I also help my parents on occasion with landscaping our front yard. This consists of many things including planting, weeding, spreading mulch, etc.... Unfortunately these are my only experiences that are close to working on a farm, however I do believe that I'm quick to learn, and the Galapagos trip expanded my love of farming, and the love usually comes before the skill, especially at my young age.

I'm going to graduate high school in two months and be forced to find something I'm good at that I also enjoy. I figured I'd take a gap year to explore my interests and decided that farming, an interest that was planted in me last summer in the Galapagos, especially organic farming, was definitely an interest i wanted to explore. Not only do I want to learn about the base that our food comes from, I also believe that with the way our world's future seems to be looking, farming, either subsistence or for bigger business, will become a necessary and nature-friendly way to survive.

I'm more interested in the actual hands-on farming aspect since I very much enjoy being outdoors and doing manual labor is immediately rewarding for me. However, as i said in my cover letter, I'm completely flexible and since my interests are not 100% set I will be happy to work wherever I am needed. I'm at the stage in my life where trying new things is nothing but an excitement--I'm hoping that never goes away--so if I'm set in Vermont or NY, both would be new experiences and I would be happy.

Certainly. I have a good deal of work experience in which I deal with many different personality types, and I feel comfortable with almost any living condition. I have a male exchange student from Germany that stays in the room next to me, and although some were weary of the fact that he was male, I felt comfortable in my own room and everything was fine. Free Veggies? That makes up for a small stipend any day! So yes, I'm perfectly okay with that as well.

Hope this helps and isn't too terribly verbose,

Kelly

So that's about it. He asked if I could come up for a visit, however idk if I can swing that so I'll probably end up doing a phone interview at some point. There also may be a glitch with my age since I don't turn 18 until July that may be a problem, but he said he's looking into it. I'll keep you guys updated. I'm hoping I get this, but I still have a lot of factors against me so I'm not betting my life on it. There are always other options.

That's where I am on Gap Year stuff...waiting.

p.s. for 2nd semester I'm looking at either (my original plan) going abroad somehow cheaplyish, preferably with other kids my age that I could get along with OR finding a film school/long term workshop... something in that realm. My thoughts has always been projected through my brain as though they were part of a movie, so maybe it's time I delve into that possible passion.