As I write stories and adventures in Sweetwater Diaries, you
will read a lot about Nate, Ollie and me. That is to be expected since I am
journaling about our experiences farming and raising a toddler in today's time
and culture. But the truth is, our successes and growth have not always been or
will not always be done by the 2 1/2 of us alone. We have come this far because
we have been very lucky to have each other, the support of our families and
some really great neighbors.
Throughout the centuries farming has relied on
community - from barn raisings, bartering, and getting in the field to help a
neighbor harvest a crop before something threatens its success. Often the only
reward being a good home cooked meal and the knowledge that the neighbor you
are helping will be there to help you when you need it. Certainly, payment is
still a standard part farm help, but most farmers are happy to pay good
reliable help (within their means of course because small scale farming is a
slow growth business).
Every hay season, I am reminded of how lucky
we have been to find great neighbors, who are always ready to work for us and
help us load and stack square bale hay. Let me be clear, this is HARD work.
Lifting 400+ itchy square bales that weigh around 50 to 80 lb each out of the
field and stacking it in the barns during 100+ heat is not easy, even for the
strongest folks. Although we have a Stackliner that helps pull bales out
of the field, sometimes it needs maintenance or we are working against a
pop up storm and have to get bales out of the field quickly. It is such hard
work, that turnover in hay help is pretty common. This is where we have been
lucky because we have two families that have always been ready and willing to
help throughout the summer (if they are available). They know what to do, work
hard and boy we sure appreciate it. (I'm looking at you "P. Family"
and "M&M").
But it doesn't stop with just them, we have a
great community of neighbors (including the ones mentioned above) that help
each other. Of course, Nate and I help where we can, whether it be
providing small farm jobs to help during financial/job changes,
equipment/auto/electrical suggestions, helping with fields when equipment is
down, watching critters, providing supplies and water, just to name a
few. And they help us and each other finding lost or loose critters (or
returning naughty goats who sneak out of fences), checking on each other during
crazy weather, coming together to deal with dumped animals, trash and
automobiles. And even helping during times of personal need, like when we
lost our pregnancy or when Ollie decided to make his arrival a month
early. It is a great community of neighbors that makes those curve balls
that life throws a lot easier to handle. Farming can be hard and
extremely frustrating. Some days you feel like every step forward and all
the hard work you put in to a project or animal was all for nothing. So
having good support, not only in your partner, but your community and family is
such a wonderful asset.
 |
| Ollie - One month early and cute as a 5 lb button. |
I cannot end this post without mentioning our
families. It was a leap of faith on both Nate and my part to start our
farm and we definitely have had days we wanted to throw in the towel and call
it a day. It's hard work and can be a lot of strain on anyone. It
is full of great moments and successes, but it is also full of a good many
failures and disappointments. We have faced things we never
expected, wouldn't wish on anyone and losses we will carry always, and yet here
we are still standing. A good portion of the strength we needed to carry
on we found in each other and our families. Our families have been
physical, emotional, financial and positive pillars ready to hold us steady
when we looked like we needed it. They have been there for us physically
cutting down trees, painting, building, pouring concrete, helping with hay,
building structures and caring for critters. They have been there for us
emotionally, providing advice, moral support, an ear to listen to problems,
hugs and lots of laughs. We are truly grateful for all their love and
support. Ollie is so lucky to be surrounded by so much love and
support both near and far.
With each year we live here our community has
widened and we have met so many wonderful and interesting people. So
thanks for being part of community, supporting and following us along this
journey.
Always Nate, Lily, Little O, & Our Critter Crew
(Ollie Pictures
courtesy of "Sophie Ann Photography 2017")
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