by Stephanie Bartel
The end of the growing season at Old Plank Farm left me feeling a bit like Ebenezer Scrooge. Our short summer flew by quicker than ever, shouldered on either side by a wet spring, a wet fall, and a lot of equipment breakdowns. And the bitter cold November took away all hope of fall field work, making for a quick and uneventful season finale here. Bah Humbug! I say to the soggy spring fields. Bah Humbug! I say to November. Bah Humbug! I say to anything with an engine.
But as I prepared our holiday card, the spirit of Old Plank Farm's past came to light in the photos I was perusing. Unlike Scrooge's bitter and regretful past, I found myself reflecting on the joy and progress surrounding memories of our past season. It was a soggy spring to be sure. But in the end we got everything planted on schedule thanks to our raised bed system, speedy field prep, and efficient planting methods. So I really can't complain about spring; we got our crops planted, which is not something every farmer in Wisconsin was fortunate enough to do.
And what of the frozen November? Our garlic was in the ground ahead of schedule (mid-October!), and our bumper crop of potatoes was tucked safely away in our packing shed. That final warm weekend in October was spent harvesting the last of the crop, and a well-spent weekend it was. I've been hearing that nearly a third of the state's potatoes have rotted in the ground because farmer's couldn't get them out in time. So I really can't complain about fall; we got our crops harvested before the freeze set in, not something everyone was fortunate enough to do.
And in between spring and fall we enjoyed eating cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and melons. We filled our members’ veggie boxes week after week with about as much variety as in a usual season. And we enjoyed the farm on parade as we celebrated the wedding of Angelica and Jake. Sunshine, vegetables, flowers and smiles are a part of all the photos from our past season. I'm extremely grateful for the variety of crops that did well for us, for our merry band of workers, and for the continued support of all our farm members. I didn't say it enough this season, but I am so thankful to all of the people and plants that sustain Old Plank Farm.
One of the few pieces of equipment we didn’t have mechanical problems with this year. Of course, it runs on Christmas spirit…
But my office work of the present is dreary compared to the rush and bustle of the growing season, as are the dark days of December on the farm. Sunshine and flowers are in the past, so what now? I've been in a Bah-Humbug-sort-of-mood as the darkest day of the year approaches. To break the monotony of my office, I sometimes take a walk to our dormant fields. It was on the path through the woods and out to the fields that I saw the spirit of Old Plank Farm's present early one morning last week. Fog and gloom surrounded me, and I nearly walked right under an unusual dark colored lump of a creature perched on an overhanging branch. It only caught my attention when it's head swiveled 180 degrees and it's huge eyes stared down into mine.
The tufts of feathers on top his head gave him a cat-like shape. He was low enough in the tree that I could see the feathers in each of the beautiful half-moon patterns on his face. I widened my eyes to match his. Then this great horned owl and I had a staring contest, in which the owl eventually won. Afterwards, I tip-toed under him to continue towards the field. Each time I glanced up, his head swiveled some more to follow me on my path and out of sight. His body never flinched.
About fifteen minutes later I headed back into the woods to go home. Sure enough, Henry Howl (the great owl had a name and a backstory by the time I came through again) was still on the same branch, eyes wide, head swiveling, body as still as the tree trunk beside him. I again stopped to stare, and wonder, and then tip-toe past him. What a crazy bird, I thought. I hope he felt the same towards me.
I've gone out every day since then trying to catch a glimpse of Henry Howl. I hear him sometimes, but don't really expect to see him again, let alone spend time interacting with him. Rather, the experience of walking to the field with my eyes wide open helps me to see that Old Plank Farm is alive and thriving this month and always, even if the soils aren't cranking out produce 365 days of the year. There is not always productivity, but there is always value on the farm.
While spending time each day looking for Henry Howl keeps me happy in the present moment, it's not enough to keep the farm heading down a path for a bright and productive future season. So what is? I have been quite slow to get things started for next year. Our website is not yet up to date, and our sign-up season is not yet open. More office work...bah humbug! The spirit of Old Plank Farm's future came to me through a friend, and farm member, last weekend. We were at a Christmas sing-along. The house was warm and brightly decorated and there were tons of holiday treats and hot apple cider. I played piano, a favorite pastime during the holidays, and everyone sang Christmas carols. Farm business was the last thing on my mind. At the end of the evening my friend came up to me and reminded me that she wanted to help my farm by doing a strategic planning meeting with me. How about on New Year's Day? she suggested. How kind of her to give up some of her holiday to help jump start our farm's new year, I thought.
Being reminded that friends and farm members are rooting for our future season rekindled my excitement for the winter's work. So many local produce farms have gone under in the last few years, yielding to the frustrating weather and unpredictable nature of...well...of nature, to say nothing of the challenges of a small business of any kind. But we won't be seeing Old Plank Farm's name on any headstones in the near future. Growing vegetables is our way of spreading health and good cheer all summer long. So I will be announcing next season’s offerings in January. Until then, wishing you happy holidays from me (Farmer Stephanie), Angelica, Henry Howl and everyone from Old Plank Farm!