Yesterday I planted another 200 feet of onions just before distribution. The process is pretty straightforward and I had already spaded and prepared the beds. I just marked the rows, dipped the baby plants in fish emulsion, spaced them accordingly, and made sure I tagged each different variety.

There are a couple of benefits of solitary planting, especially at the end of the season. One, I had tons of time to reflect on the past months at Serenbe Farms and to think about all the people that had come to help on the farm, about our interns and all the fun we had, and about the members that appreciated their food and enjoyed playing on the farm. Secondly, I could really concentrate on the plants. As I planted each little onion plant, I could really focus in putting it in the right spot and wishing it well as it grows to a healthy nice bulb. Call me crazy, but I think we were actually having a conversation! As I started thinking about the wordless conversation that I was having with each of these plants, it made lots of sense. It wasn’t just 3 or 4 of us working out here on the farm, it’s all the plants, the cover crops, the worms, the nematodes, the chickens, the bats and bees, even the weeds.

I attribute the success of this season to all of the above and more, all the little critters and living things that make up our farm. Of course, I must give an enormous thanks to all of the tough, hardworking interns along the way, Travis, Turtle, Coby, April, Ryan, Ariel, and Sabrina. Thanks to my loving boyfriend, Justin, who listened to everything I had to say about the farm and helped me when he could. Most of all thanks to all the members, without you all, I wouldn’t get to have these peaceful afternoons of playing in the dirt, talking to onion plants. This is what I love to do and you make it work for me.

Of course, thanks to Serenbe, again, without the community there would be no farm, no tractor, no greenhouse, no Farmer Paige, and no great relationships that have been made over the season.

I never knew that so much love could turn red clay into friable, delicious, brown earth. Our scales are tipping over 18,000 lbs of produce now. We know that we’re going to continue to grow throughout the years. In addition to a great harvest, we’ve successfully had many kids’ education days (thanks Christy!), a partnership with the local Montessori school (thanks Clifford and Leonard!), and several camps that have come to visit. We’ve focused on healthy food, education, and providing a place that people can call their farm. I can’t wait to see what next season brings!

Paige and the gals