“…it’s not like you need to tuck them in and sing them a lullaby…”

-Bill’s instruction on how to most efficiently plant the ‘starts’ (seeds that have been started in the greenhouse).

Seedlings in the greenhouse

Seedlings from greenhouse moved to the fields!

We’ve started our first week right out in the dirt – harvesting spring mix, planting broccoli, weeding garlic, row covering, and, of course, shoveling shit. The days have been beautiful and sunny though the nights and mornings have been frigid. Lucky for me and my score of a room, I’ve hardly been complaining. My barn-mates come down and huddle around the kitchen space heater in the mornings reporting interrupted sleep and frosty breath. (Don’t get me wrong – I, too, am also huddled around the space heater, and sleep with three layers, two pairs of socks, a hat, one blanket and two sleeping bags.)

I am having a blast. Bill and Deborah (Horton Road’s owners) are amazingly generous and loving people. They have opened up their home and land and hearts to us, whom they hardly know, and live with intention, awareness, and compassion. My barn-mates are also an inspiration to be around. Lisa, Bobby, Paul, Rita, Ashley, and Stacey are all intelligent, creative, and hilarious. We’re planning: to make beer, wine, fruit leather; a hoe-down; group mural; road trips, and more. Deborah runs workshops in the farm Zen-do, and friend of the farm is going to teach weekly yoga sessions. Our hard work during the days feels good and meaningful and is balanced by laughter, relaxation, amazing food and a sense of community that I haven’t felt in such a long time. Gotta love the honeymoon period. 

Weeding some garlic!