Having never worked with plants before, save caring for a small collection of succulents, spending ten hours on an organic farm was set to be an interesting experience. When we first were introduced to Martha and spent our first hour on the farm harvesting squashes, I had no idea what to expect, and how the farm would change my opinion on the work that’s done to bring food to our table.
My first day on the farm was in the midst of September’s heat wave, and it was easily over 30 degrees with humidity. Expecting to arrive in time to help with the market, I was mildly shocked to discover I would be spending the next four hours in the fields instead. Martha was in a frenzy and wasn’t focused on training a new student how to work in the market. As a result, I was sent with Brianna and Narda to water the greenhouses, which were in desperate need of water on such a hot day.
The greenhouses were where I first discovered that my entire body can sweat. In an environment comparable to hot yoga, we were in charge of ensuring the survival of the farms’ eggplant population. Each plant required nearly an entire watering can, and as the entire farm was watered by hand, it was easy to see what an immense task it was to keep the farm alive during the heat. This was also the moment I discovered that I am unmistakably allergic to eggplant leaves.
After over two hours of work, Martha was able to spare some time from the market to come visit the fields. At that point, I was dehydrated, covered in hives, had a cold developing, and was contemplating the likeliness of passing out from the heat. We had managed to finish watering the greenhouse, and as Martha felt bad about my reaction, I was moved to a shady thyme bush, where I was to finish my day with some weeding. Martha taught me how to remove prickly weeds and thistles without gloves by digging below the surface with your fingers and grab them by the roots (I wasn’t great at this and got pricked a few times), as well as sharing with me that the reason there was so much thyme was a tribute to her mother, who always told her she should be planting more, as it was her favourite herb.
The work and passion that goes into the organic farm is truly inspiring. I found myself with mixed emotions to leave the farm after completing my ten hours, as the pending weeks would feel strange without a visit to the farm. The work is always hard, and occasionally rather brutal, and I can see that I am probably not cut out for it. Despite all its difficulties, there is immense payoff and satisfaction that gives me a new appreciation and meaning to what farming truly is.
- Riley Grant
