How does one
measure a season at Restoration Farm? As
the 2013 growing season comes to a close, I reflect on the months that have
passed. Do the variety of vegetables,
the abundance of the yield, or the finicky nature of the weather determine the
worth of a harvest and the character of a growing season? Or is it something more?
Is it the
bushels of crunchy broccoli that come off the field late in the season, and
literally glisten in the morning sun?
Is it the
endless abundance of juicy heirloom tomatoes that delighted us well into the
weeks of autumn?
Is it the
wet fields that struggled to produce?
Perhaps it’s
the hundreds of tiny seeds planted early in the year, that yield miraculous
results?
Is it the
burgeoning flock of heritage chickens?
Or, the
number of additional inches the youthful apple trees grew in stature at Apple
Trace?
Perhaps it’s
the distinctive Long Island Cheese Pumpkins that add a festive glow to autumn?
Or the
pounds of potatoes harvested?
Was it the
fact that the kale crop struggled?
Maybe it’s
the chunks of loamy soil that sustain the rows of plants?
Or, the
tender lettuce that dresses so many salads?
Most
certainly, it is the smiles of members, and the lively conversations that
punctuate a morning distribution of vegetables.
It’s the nourishment the farm provides to body, soul and community.
And, it’s the unshakable feeling that no
matter where you might roam, you can always come home to Restoration Farm.
As this
chapter concludes, there are already signs of new stories and new seasons to
come. The foundation is poured for a permanent farm support building that will
take the place of the venerable outdoor distribution tent. The building will be constructed during the
winter months and feature a produce cooler, a farm office, and a covered patio
for the farm stand and vegetable distributions.
And, so we
turn the page and wait with anticipation for the cycle to begin again.
©2013 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved
9 comments:
I believe you said it all - "no matter where you might roam, you can always come home to Restoration Farm." What a comforting thought and what a lovely place to call home.
Sam
Clearly their greatest success story is the one you tell of the community they have created.
What a nice post...I think the hard work of gardening coupled with the gratification of the produce gathered and shared with friends makes the farm a wonderful success.
It is all these things and more...
Cheers to Restoration farm!
Velva
The Restoration Farm community may be moving into fall/winter mode, but your photos portray a successful season better than anything else. (The LI cheese pumpkins!) I love reading about the farm, the friends, the crops, the experiments. Thanks, T.W. Always makes me feel a part of it.
Yes, Restoration Farm does more than provide food, it provides community and an appreciation of the love and work involved in bringing good food to the table. I always love your stories about them.
If there is one thing I have learned about any type of gardening, T.W. is the fact that it commands patience. In this accelerated world we live in, the serenity of Restoration Farm measures by all you have reflected upon and the abundance it shares.
They say home is where the heart is and there is no doubt there are many hearts that live at Restoration Farm.
Thank you so much for letting us wander along...
So great to see how Restoration Farm is growing and touching more and more people. Looking forward to hearing a whole new season's worth of stories!
Dear T.W., It really is a nice place. I would go there when it was the Restoration Village and spend hours with my kids. It was a nice place to go with a lunch and just walk and feel like you were far away. I also liked the candle light walks during the Christmas season. I also spent quite a bit of time in the gift shop. I really liked it and so did my kids.
I have never been since it is the farm. It still sounds like a wonderful lapse in time.
Blessings, Catherine
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