What the Farm Taught Me
After a brutal winter, I am grateful that the farm is coming back to life. Despite challenges, I have much for which to be thankful. My young volunteers recently reminded me of my many blessings.
Every season on the farm is different — every day on the farm is different — and we have been in a whirlwind of activity over the last few weeks. This winter was the most brutal I have experienced as a farmer. The effort has been Herculean to overcome wintertime challenges, dig the farm out of the resulting chaos, and attempt to be a better human myself. January was hell, February was worse, and March was utterly demoralizing.
Thankfully, April came. And with it, came a beautifully overwhelming schedule of four weekends in a row that I was working an Oddities & Curiosities Expo: Milwaukee, St. Louis, Columbus, and Indianapolis. The hard winter days of farming in bitter conditions, only to come into a cold farmhouse to clean bones late into the night, finally paid off. The Oddities shows have allowed me to share my passion for animal structure, have introduced me to a new community of people who appreciate my farm, and have changed the quality of my life (and my animals’ lives) by bringing much-needed revenue.
Doing four shows in a month was a new challenge for me, as last year I did four shows total. My April calendar was quite full: pack up the Goatmobile on Thursday afternoon, drive my skulls & bones for show setup on Friday, vend at the Oddities Expo all day on Saturday & Sunday, drive home Sunday night into Monday, then try to do a full week of farming on Tuesday & Wednesday, before packing up again on Thursday. For four weeks, this was my routine — and I loved it. It was only possible because of the support I receive from the amazing Harrison Farm team.
After these four weeks of traveling for Oddities Shows, we then had a short window of time to get the farm ready for our event season. Thankfully, with the weather warming up, several of my young team members were able to assist. Spring also brings abundant rain in Ohio, and we were navigating a lot of wet weather and mud as we worked to be ready for our events. The day we kicked off our “Open Farm” hours for the season, it was pouring rain. Despite this, my young helpers stepped up to the task, and we had a very successful weekend.
The most amazing people keep finding their way to Harrison Farm. I am in awe that these young individuals keep stepping up to help me farm no matter the challenges. And it means the world to me that they stay a part of the farm, even after their internships officially end. Our summer 2024 interns from Ohio State have continued to volunteer at the farm, and two of them even did their cap & gown photos at the farm. These young people brighten my heart, and are a true blessing to the farm.
Over the last couple years, as our volunteer team has expanded, I have started doing a “round robin” when we have a group on the farm together. It is three parts: introduce yourself, say what you do on the farm, and then answer our “third question” of the day. The third question always changes. Sometimes it is something easy: “when is your birthday”, or “what is your favorite animal”, or even “who is your favorite president”. Other times, it is something more intriguing: “would you rather give up having to sleep or having to eat”, or “what did you learn this morning from chores” after a particularly unorganized effort at feeding sheep. I do this exercise to build community amongst the interns & volunteers, as it is fun to learn about each other. I also want them to practice standing in front of a group and introducing themselves. Someday, they will each need to stand up in front of an audience and say who they are. I want them to practice this in front of people who love them, so that it will eventually be easy in front of a group of adults. I always go first, and then each one contributes as we go around the circle. This is always a special bonding moment for the team members.
Last week, there was a lovely day that summer interns Jackie & Korina were both on-site volunteering, as well as Elsa & Austin. We worked very hard that day with preparations for our event season and herd health management. As a treat, I got pizza & cupcakes to celebrate the upcoming graduation from Ohio State for Jackie & Korina. For our “round robin”, I asked the young people to share what the farm had taught them. Their answers were so lovely, that I used that same prompt a few days later with more members of the team. Their responses humbled me and touched my heart. These young people ranged from middle school volunteers, to teenage members of our 4H club, to high school & college interns, to young adults who still volunteer after their internships officially ended. Some have been on the farm for a few months, some for years. Some are navigating high school classes, some are preparing to head to vet school. Each one of them is a blessing to me and to the farm, and their answers were beautiful.
“What Has Harrison Farm Taught You”
Resilience.
That I have a place in agriculture.
That I love animals and want to work with them.
I am capable.
That I love to teach.
To take care of my own animals better.
Responsibility.
To be positive no matter the challenge.
How to communicate better.
That the farm is a place where I can always come. It is a second home.
How to lead a team.
Patience.
During a difficult time, the farm showed me there is always a light even in darkness.
The farm made me a better person.
The work we do is hard, but it is always there for us. Farming is long hours, difficult conditions, brutal weather, misbehaving animals, and something always breaking. Yet, farming is real. It is being a part of the seasons, nurturing life, respecting death, valuing honest toil. It brings me great joy to see how my young team members grow through their experiences at the farm. Such experiences are rarely easy, however, they inspire significant growth.
Thanks to the help of my team, I was finally able to get back to church this weekend. As I listened to the Gospel passage, the words resonated deeply.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."
Jesus said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
At Harrison Farm, we tend, we care, we feed, we shepherd, we love. It is never easy, but it is our calling. We nurture the land, the animals, and the humans that are here. There are seasons that take a lot out of me as the caretaker for this farm, but there are seasons that restore me, as well. I have much for which to be grateful, especially the people who are part of this dream we call Harrison Farm. This farm has taught me to be resilient, it has taught me to be grateful, and it has taught me how to love.