Hello everyone! I hope y’all have been staying cool and hydrated because it is blisteringly hot outside as I write this. Just earlier today we hosted the Small Farm Education Field Day: an opportunity for anyone to come out and learn about fascinating research and small-scale agricultural practices happening on our farm. Typically, those who present are a mix of academics, extension specialists, and ag professionals. The interns also present at a table each year. This year, that was Mason and I discussing ‘farm hacks’. We shared a few things on the farm that make our lives just a little bit easier. I particularly enjoyed trying my best to answer people’s questions. Each farm is very different from the next, and I enjoy hearing about the various problems farm managers have to solve on their own farms. To say the least, the few minutes Mason and I spent trying to brainstorm solutions, offer resources, and provide hacks, if you will, was my favorite part of our presentation. I love a good discussion! Along the same vein, I appreciate that the small farm field day can be such a good opportunity for farmers and the like to connect with each other and share stories. Agriculture can be so knowledge intensive and much of what I’ve learned and retained about farming, I’ve learned through conversations and experience. So I think it can be really important for not only farmers but anyone in the agriculture industry to have personal connections like these. I was excited to meet a farmer who graduated from my same high school only two years prior and, over the last few years, has started his own vegetable farm.
Thanks to everyone who was able to make it out to the field day. We all take pride in the work we do here, so it’s very special to be able to share the farm with so many people who are interested in the same things. Sadly, due to the shortened work week, there won’t be a student spotlight this week. You can check back in next week to meet the next intern!
