Next Chapter

well, it's been a while since my last entry. whoops! i'll sum up- worked two jobs, learned about setting up a farm business, went to an organic farming conference, was hired by a farm in northeast illinois, began farming april 1st.
consider yourself caught up.

i'm really enjoying my new job at this new farm. it's in grayslake, illinois and it's called Sandhill Organics. the farm is situated in a subdivision called Prairie Crossing. it's a really neat subdivision. there are native plants in the landscaping as well as prairie plots throughout the subdivision. there are two small schools within the grounds as well. besides Sandhill there is another farm that rents land and equipment to beginning farmers. they call it an incubator program. it helps new farmers start out without having the big expense of buying lots of equipment and building things like greenhouses. i'll have some photos soon. it's a great place.

i'm enjoying the people i'm working with as well. i think this farm will be a great fit. there are a lot of new things to learn here as well. we'll be selling to farmer's markets beginning in june and that is new for me. we have structures called hoophouses where we grow some of our crops. a hoophouse is similar to a greenhouse except there isn't a heater in it and you plant your seeds or plants directly in the ground. again, i'll provide pictures so you can see what i'm talking about.

this week has been a great encouragement for me as well, because i have felt confirmed in my trek towards becoming a farmer. i definitely feel this is where God is leading me. you know those moments where you feel as though your soul comes alive? there's a rush of joy, a refreshing ahhhhh feeling, and an urge to throw your arms open and embrace the world and say yes! this is what i'm made to do! this small, sustainable farming is like that for me. there is also the reality of those low days where the sun is beating, the humidity is oppressive, and i am sick to death of reaching into the scratchy plants and harvesting yet another load of zucchini. in spite of those days farming still awakens new life in me. perhaps i should say it is God that awakens my soul through farming. through farming a new facet of myself is revealed. and may it all be to the glory of God.

so prepare yourself for another season of growing! let the new adventure begin!