Truck Farming?

"Truck farming" used to be a common term in most rural areas referring to people who grew vegetables and took them to markets. The terminology has faded away (as well as many truck farmers) as our food system has mostly large scale industrial agriculture with products transported by train and tractor trailers. The "modern" truck farm now often takes the CSA model (community supported agriculture) in which families pay a lump sum of money at the beginning of the season to a small local farm in exchange for weekly "shares" of produce throughout the season. This model helps provide farmers essential funds at the beginning of the season when expenses are especially high. Many small scale farmers also still rely on weekly farmer's markets and wholesale to restaurants and grocery stores to distribute produce.

While I find the changes in terminology fairly fascinating, the most important thing is that small scale farmers DO still exist and are slowly increasing in numbers. I'm not sure we will ever return to the number of true truck farmers there once were (or that this even makes sense anymore), but diversifying production methods is definitely a step toward strengthening our local food systems, communities, and economies.

So.....in the spirit of truck farming.....a few pictures from the farm. All of this talk of truck farms was inspired by the old flat bed Ford on the farm. While it isn't actually used for transporting produce to market, it does come in handy around the farm for many uses.........and leaves me wondering - is this a new definition for "truck farming"?

Amherst Milling Company

I went to Amherst Milling Company (and farm supply store) last week to pick up a few things for the farm with Gary. It was like stepping back in time. Amazing old building right on the railroad tracks (formerly used for delivering supplies) that still has an active mill. The inside of the building is stacked wall to wall, ceiling to floor with every farm supply you didn't know you needed until you saw it there.

I didn't take any pictures inside because it was pretty dark (and that would be a little awkward), but below are a few of the building and the mishmash of stuff around it. There were also chickens, guinea hens, ducks, a peacock, and rabbits, but the ducks were hissing at me so I didn't think they really wanted their picture taken.

Favorite part of the experience - seeing the owner weigh out black eyed pea seeds on a scale that may or may not have been there since the store opened in the late 1800s. Oh, it was also pretty great to see so many other people there making purchases. Amherst Mill is clearly no tourist stop - it's a vital part of a rural community that still has backyard gardens at every house and old men in overalls who swap stories and catch up on the local news at the feed store.

Broccoli and more

It's broccoli time on the farm again! With a few days of cool weather and plenty of rain followed by an abundance of sunshine and warm temperatures, the broccoli has come on full force. We've already harvested a few hundred pounds and there's more to go.......

The strawberries are just finishing up and the early blueberries coming on - the perfect overlap to enjoy them together - yummy!!! Still picking sugar snap peas, carrots, onions, and lettuce. Cucumbers, squash, and peppers just coming on, tomatoes coming soon......

Definitely back in the swing again working 3 days a week at the farm and accumulating a good mix of dirt, sweat, sunscreen, bug spray, and miscellaneous vegetable scraps on everything I own - oh, summer time :)