The Irrigation Medal Goes to…. : Summer Veggie Share Week #1- 6/7/23

 In CSA Newsletter

Cassie: Hey Michael.

Michael: What’s up?

Cassie: Can you remember the last time it rained? I can’t.

Michael: Ummmm… It’s been so long I don’t know the date. I think the last time we had a measurable amount of rainfall was about 4 weeks ago.

Then Michael sighed, a big long sigh. And I felt shock, as I have never known Michael to be unable to pinpoint the most recent rainfall. 

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At all 3 of the locations we grow food (the J farm, the K farm, and Pioneer Road) we have high capacity wells and huge sprinklers called water reels. All of this infrastructure helps us keep crops watered when the rain isn’t coming. This requires an enormous expenditure of energy – both of electricity and from Michael personally. Irrigation falls under his realm of responsibilities on the farm. And right now, Michael is doing a lot of extra work. 

If any of you have a yard where you are having to water plants to keep things alive, you might know what I mean. After your regular duties for the day, you might find yourself watering plants in the your yard. Imagine this times 27 acres. That’s Michael. 

Spring is already a wildly busy time as we are juggling planting, cultivating and the beginning of harvest. When the rain doesn’t come, it means extra hours in the morning and evening for Michael to get irrigation runs going. 

The man deserves a medal. I can’t remember a spring in our entire 18 year farming history where it was this dry so early, when all the little plants are so needy and dependent on surface water. Michael has been working tirelessly. 

When you get your box tomorrow you might never know all the plants were produced during a drought. That’s how HARD Michael has been working. While the rest of us have been doing our hard work too, none of it would have mattered if Michael hadn’t kept all the irrigation systems moving. Everything would have died. Michael is ultimately responsible for the beauty and nourishment you will receive tomorrow. 

I am so thankful to be farm partners with such a steady, hard-working human. 

Enjoy the bounty!