I haven't posted in almost a month, which isn't like me. Just haven't had anything to say. Things go on at Aagaard Farms: chores of feeding and watering chickens, goats, cats and dogs, soap is still getting made, we're still cooking with foods we stored or preserved. It just didn't seem different or interesting enough to actually blog about any of it. Our Facebook page will get a cute picture of one of our animals and a one-liner but it's not enough to fill a blog post.
I always find January and February a little difficult. I do not enjoy really cold weather; I worry about all the critters outside in it, I don't relish winter sports, I don't like driving on slippery, snowy roads. I'm suppose to be working in the office getting taxes and such organized - also not something I relish. But, the big thing about this time of year is we're suppose to be making decisions - important decisions that will affect our entire year. What kinds of seeds to buy? How much to grow? Where and how to sell our stuff.
As our business slowly grows, tough decisions are on the agenda this year. Farmer Man's Mom had started to offer the land as garden rentals. She wanted to do less but still wanted some income. When we arrived to take over the farm, we found we rather enjoyed the little community of gardeners. We continued to offer the plots and, as interest in local and fresh food has grown, so has the number of gardeners. Problem is, as our vegetable business expands, we're finding the renters are on some of our best land, with the easiest access to water and most convenient area for harvesting and transporting. And they're using up our precious, limited water resources so that we have almost no water by September, even earlier some years. We can see that we could easily double or triple the income per plot if we were using it for our own sales.
You'd think it would be an easy business decision....just quit offering the rentals or raise the price substantially. But we like our renters, we like having them here, and we don't know where else they'd go. Community gardens in town are limited and there is always a waiting list. And we have spare land.....
So Farmer Man got an appointment to see someone in the provincial government, to look into a little financial help in moving the renters by upgrading a sand point well, improving the drive in access to the spot we have in mind for new gardens. At some point, Farmer Man made the joke that we'd probably be better off if we both just worked straight jobs and the bureaucrat wanted to know why we didn't just do that.... Well, there is someone who just doesn't get what we're doing! Growing good food for our friends and neighbors is something we're passionate about! It's like telling the up-and-coming dancer, actor or singer to just go to work in an office and quit the struggle! And no consideration at all for all the people who want to garden and grow their own, chemical-free, healthy food! It was kind of depressing, rather sad and kind of deflating. We'll keep looking for help, but we still have to make that decision about the garden rentals - and soon. A lottery win would be good right about now!
I always find January and February a little difficult. I do not enjoy really cold weather; I worry about all the critters outside in it, I don't relish winter sports, I don't like driving on slippery, snowy roads. I'm suppose to be working in the office getting taxes and such organized - also not something I relish. But, the big thing about this time of year is we're suppose to be making decisions - important decisions that will affect our entire year. What kinds of seeds to buy? How much to grow? Where and how to sell our stuff.
As our business slowly grows, tough decisions are on the agenda this year. Farmer Man's Mom had started to offer the land as garden rentals. She wanted to do less but still wanted some income. When we arrived to take over the farm, we found we rather enjoyed the little community of gardeners. We continued to offer the plots and, as interest in local and fresh food has grown, so has the number of gardeners. Problem is, as our vegetable business expands, we're finding the renters are on some of our best land, with the easiest access to water and most convenient area for harvesting and transporting. And they're using up our precious, limited water resources so that we have almost no water by September, even earlier some years. We can see that we could easily double or triple the income per plot if we were using it for our own sales.
You'd think it would be an easy business decision....just quit offering the rentals or raise the price substantially. But we like our renters, we like having them here, and we don't know where else they'd go. Community gardens in town are limited and there is always a waiting list. And we have spare land.....
So Farmer Man got an appointment to see someone in the provincial government, to look into a little financial help in moving the renters by upgrading a sand point well, improving the drive in access to the spot we have in mind for new gardens. At some point, Farmer Man made the joke that we'd probably be better off if we both just worked straight jobs and the bureaucrat wanted to know why we didn't just do that.... Well, there is someone who just doesn't get what we're doing! Growing good food for our friends and neighbors is something we're passionate about! It's like telling the up-and-coming dancer, actor or singer to just go to work in an office and quit the struggle! And no consideration at all for all the people who want to garden and grow their own, chemical-free, healthy food! It was kind of depressing, rather sad and kind of deflating. We'll keep looking for help, but we still have to make that decision about the garden rentals - and soon. A lottery win would be good right about now!
Fingers crossed for your decision process. As always, your sissies are here if you need to vent/whine/kvetch/etc.
ReplyDeleteKeltie
Norah, this post really struck a chord with me. We have had similar issues. My husband is an artist and teaches theatre. When speaking with certain business types it becomes so apparent that they have no understanding and certainly no respect for this type of occupation. It's particularly demoralizing when the kids he is teaching talk about how little support they receive in their decision to have a life in the arts. Don't people realize that we can't all be accountants? Not only would our lives would be so much poorer with the loss of our arts communities but it would also affect business! What do you think tourists travel for?!?! Certainly not to visit the latest box store they can find in their own city. We need culture in our lives as much as we need business and most certainly we need FOOD! oh but of course, food is business only for large corporations these days *sigh* Have you considered an option like IndieGoGo to get the help you need? That type of setting might be more open to innovative ideas.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough when the gov't people just have no idea. In certain departments I think the gov't should employ retired dancers, painters, actors, etc who would understand waaaaaay more!
DeleteAmen to that! sometimes all you can do is shake your head, and just know that that person is missing out. I wonder if there is some sort of grant that you could apply for? maybe there is a local board that would love to sponsor you. Healthy Living Brandon? Food Matters Manitoba? What about adding potato seed as another revenue stream- the seed potatoes we got from you performed beautifully, and you have such a great variety. I'm hoping you'll be selling some again this year?
ReplyDeleteAngela; we've sold seed potatoes the last couple of years at Brandon's Seedy Sunday. Nice wee income at a time we usually don't make anything except a bit of egg money! Unfortunately this year the harvest wasn't good enough - there's no potatoes to spare!
DeleteMy opinion for what it's worth - this community needs businesses like yours. Don't let the nay-sayers or the Feb blahs get to you! I'm not the best one to say where to get money for capital upgrades to expand, but I believe in you guys and in the need for what you provide in the community.
ReplyDeleteAnd I garden at Healthy Brandon - there are always more spots there than are taken. The soil may not be as good, and there isn't the same farm community there, but there is a community of gardeners if they want to be part of the social life of the garden. I'm not saying you should cut it out for sure, but I don't want to see you guys quit.
Thanks, Green Tamarind! I've always heard there's no space available in Brandon - only waiting lists! Come spring - post on our Facebook page is there is space; we'll gladly share that news!
DeleteI'm not on the committee anymore, but I'll pass on the request! Healthy Brandon's been expanding every year, and adds more if there are lots of requests. The guy with the tiller can just till more.
DeleteI think it's true that the smaller gardens that have raised beds run short of space, but as long as BSD can share the space there is lots of space at Hummingbird.
Awesome, thanks Green Tamarind!
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