To be honest, I didn't feel much like blogging the last two months. I suppose I was (still am?) going through the normal grief cycle. I didn't have the energy for doing much of anything except trying to keep my head above water here on the farm and with my woodworking business. But with the onset of cooler weather I feel like I have more energy. Hopefully that will translate into more blogs. I still have a lot of stuff on my heart and mind as it relates to Christian Agrarianism, and hopefully will be able to communicate it through this blog as God gives me opportunity. Thanks for continuing to read my humble mental meanderings! !
This picture was taken earlier this summer and is a picture that I am very proud of (hopefully "proud of" in a good way, if there is such a thing). When Marla put this plate of food in front of me for supper one night I said, "wait, we have to take a picture of this". What's the big deal you ask? The big deal (at least I think it's a big deal) is that everything on that plate came by God's blessing, goodness and the sweat of our brow here on Lil Bitty Farm. The cucumbers and onions, sitting atop the early red potatoes; and green beans all came from our garden. The sausage came from one of the porkers that we raised ourselves. Providing your own food is a mighty good feeling - in the heart and in the tummy! !
A hundred years ago, growing your own food was "nothing to crow about". But today, when less than 1% of the nations population are farmers, its a different story. Although there are rumblings of a new agrarian age dawning, still the vast majority of Americans hardly give raising their own food a second thought. Why go to "all that bother and trouble" when you can just pick it off the shelf at the store? Glad you asked, cause I have a few things to say about that.
First of all, food produced in your own back yard is WAY more nutritious than food loaded with chemicals, additives, artificial coloring/flavoring, hormones etc. etc. and shipped all the way across the country or even from another country. And that doesn't even take scientific research to figure out - thats just plain old common sense.
I've said all that to say this - whenever you begin to grow your own food (however humble that beginning is) you are entering into and answering a sacred calling. Our culture looks down it's nose at those who get their hands dirty in the fields and get manure on their boots but God smiles upon those who are willing to "tend and keep" whatever little garden he places them in. That's why we get deep satisfaction from seeing a tender shoot peek it's head above the rich, fertile ground. That's why we feel at peace and contented when we watch cows and sheep graze the lush green hillsides. And that's why we have a real sense of accomplishment and well being when the food that God provides through our own sweaty brow goes into the bellies of the little ones around our table. However humble your first attempts may be, go ahead, give it a try and see if what I have said is so. (I know two different gals who had their first garden this year and I think they would agree with me! ! ! Way to go Jana and Kimmy! ! ! Am I right?)
Oh yeah, I almost forgot - don't forget to plant your winter rye in your garden now. Your soil (and the earth worms) will repay you for it many times over.
Til next time,
Todd