Growing with Love

Philip and Amanda showing Natalie the ropes

When WWOOFer Natalie (secret radio name: Awesome Turtle) came to the farm, she had just a few hours to learn so much about it before she took care of it single-handedly for four days. For a couple of weeks after that, she was the only WWOOFer in a place that is usually teeming with many people. Throughout, she was cheerful and positive. It was a joy to have her! Here are her thoughts about her time at the farm after being away for a while. Oh Natalie, it was a magical time with you!

Natalie rocking the Lakeview Farmer's Market

It’s been about two weeks since my departure from Locavore Farms and I can only look back on my time there with blissful memories and jealousy towards the WWOOFers who remain. Henrike, Eliván, Micaela and Noah - you lucky, lucky dogs. Our life at LoveJoyPeace was how it ought to be; waking up at dawn, hitting the sun’s snooze alarm until it blindingly beats through the mesh of the tent roof at 6am, working hard until the sizzle of the dirt burns the skin of our legs, dining on the unbelievable deliciousness provided by the combination of Laurie Wayne’s culinary genius and the miracle of what the farm can produce. Once the clothed dip in the creek was introduced to us the heat of the Surprise Valley afternoon was no longer a menace but instead a solar dryer. Our evenings filled with zucchini creations, hot spring visits, music and the company of fantastic neighbors rounded out eventful and fulfilling farm days. Surprise Valley’s name doesn’t disappoint. Not only was I surprised by the place’s physical beauty but the beauty of every person, plant and animal I met. People aged 0-90 with their fantastically designed gardens and incredible knowledge never ceased to amaze. And I am a much better person for having known the Peopletons and the Chickens Wayne, hugging their soft feathers, using the air-lock method for chicken retrieval and receiving nourishment from their adorably teeny tiny eggs. Coming back to New Jersey, the traffic, the chain stores, the plastic and Styrofoam wrapped zucchini, the parking lot farmer’s markets with boxes marked “California” (not kidding)…it’s all pretty shocking to the system. As I readjust myself to college time, staying up until 4am, sleeping until the late morning, I laugh when I realize I’m sleeping through what on the farm is the most productive part of the day. Thank you Laurie Wayne for opening up your home and land to us and sharing you luckiness with us. We are so lucky to know you and LoveJoyPeace! And thank you Fort Bidwell for opening up your beautiful corner of paradise to us WWOOFers.

Coyote, Killa, Chico, Awesome Turtle, Ladybug, and Li Tong

Harvest and Preparations

We're not sure how it happened, but the wheel of the year has turned again, and life on the farm is about harvesting, watering, and creating the foundation of future years at the farm. The sun is rising later and setting earlier each day, and we've started to have cool evenings and a few cool days. We've got several weeks of harvest left, and we are delighted that every day we are able to welcome old friends and new guests into the U-Pick. The chickens are laying three or four eggs a day now, but the delight with which each egg is discovered has not diminished since that first small brown miracle was found on July 27. Tender Chicken has declared her independence from the current chicken enclosure and is usually found wandering near the house and supervising the construction of the greenhouse/chickenhouse.

We're at Farmer's Markets every Saturday, alternating between Lakeview and Cedarville, and preparing for the fair parade this weekend. Our wonderful WWOOFer crew now consists of Noah and Micaela, Elivan, and Henrike, and they are guardians over our bounty of beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, beets, celery, peppers, leeks, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, corn, melons, lettuce, mustard greens, herbs, and more. This is an enchanted piece of land that inspires and and invites a close relationship with life in its many manifestations. Also, we eat really well, every single day.