Bee Tree Farm

Thursday I’ll be attending my first meeting as a member of the small-scale and urban farming committee for the AgExtension office here in Travis county.  I met the committee organizers through Farm School and was asked to serve a term to help them develop resources and outreach for people who look a little bit like me.  I’m happy to do it.  Also – free lunch!

Although I’m sure on Thursday I’ll get a much better idea of exactly how I can contribute to their cause, right now I laugh at the thought that anything we’ve done here may be educational or provide insight for others.  I firmly believe our entire experience so far is useful only as a “teachable moment”; a cautionary tale, in the same way that moms everywhere are using the Miley Cyrus performance from the VMA’s Sunday night (Respect yourselves, ladies!).  So, what if I need to dig deep and actually provide some thoughtful insight that could somehow be useful to a starry eyed individual, drunk on the scent of hay and manure, lulled into sweet agrarian dreams after a drive out through the countryside?  The truth is that we really have learned a lot without scratching the surface of what is to be learned – an intimidating realization.  I guess it’s because we’re not intimidated by our own naivete that we were stupid enough to come out here in the first place.

My parents presented me with a framed, bulleted list when they sent me off to college, and I actually set it up on my dorm bookshelf because it was comforting and also contained a few extremely handy reminders (ex: Go to class.  Study.) along with one I know my mother wrote that I puzzled over for awhile before finally understanding: “Remember where your love is.”

For the committee, for myself, and for you – here’s a list.  It’s the things I’ve learned.  The list of things I haven’t learned is much, much longer.

• Don’t stand still too long anywhere outside.  Standing still invites stinging insects and biting bugs to attack you.  Every time.
• There are no shortcuts.  Plan to do it right the first time or do it again later.  This applies specifically to fencing, but it’s relevant across the board.
• Read.  Plan.  Research.
• Do not over-read, over-plan, or over-research.  The best education is by doing.
• The goat is smarter than the farmer.  Accept this and move on.
• Find a mentor willing to answer a late-night call.  They are worth more than money.
• Leave your pride at the front gate.  You can go back and retrieve it in a few years.
• You are much stronger than you think.  Really.
• It will get worse before it gets better.  But it will get better.
• Ask questions, sign up, try to replicate what you’ve learned.
• “Regular hours” occur at any point during a 24 hour day.
• Chickens are food for the wildlife, too.
• Admire your work daily.
• You will fail.  Your crop will not produce.  Your animal will die.  You succeed by trying.
• Remember where your love is and go back to it, go back for it.  Whether or not it makes any sense at all (thanks Mom).