Wow, what a ride this year has been so far! All this commotion has sparked a lot of talk about problems. From health scares to economic impact, food supplies to education, and protests all around, it seems the world is in rough shape. Although we are not immune to the trouble of each of these situations, our family has been fortunate to carry on relatively normally here on the farm. Corn and pumpkins are planted, grass is mowed, water is running, and the never-ending battle with weeds continues full steam ahead. Always more weeds.
Like the endless supply of weeds on a farm, sometimes the problems in the world seem to be insurmountable. After all, who can solve a worldwide pandemic, economic distress, and social unrest? I don't pretend to have the answers to any of that, but the farm is a wise teacher of useful lessons, a few of which I've managed to tuck away in my back pocket of experience. Somehow, a wilted crop can perk up pretty quickly with a fresh irrigation. A fresh cut with the mower makes even a weedy pasture look pretty good, and gives the grass a chance. Squeaky worn-out equipment works alright when it gets a fresh dose of grease. And even the gloomiest storm will be followed by a sunny day.
My wise mother-in-law, drawing on many years experience of running a household, has often said: "It's not what you've done that makes you tired, it's what you haven't done." It's true, we can talk all day about how to tackle an issue and the problem just seems to grow. Should we mow the weeds or spray them? What will happen if they get out of control? Who brought them here anyway? It's all rather exhausting until I get some dirt on my hands and sore muscles by actually doing something about it.
In today's world, perhaps we get some "dirt on our hands" by picking up the phone or visiting a neighbor, by applying for a job or learning a new skill, or by starting or carrying on a tradition with our family. Theories are fine and all, but the best results come from real interaction, person-to-person. Here at Lowe Family Farmstead, we'll be doing just that: building, planting, watering, and weeding -- always weeding -- so this fall you can enjoy the fresh air, open spaces, and farming fun with the people you care about, person-to-person.