KS
HOMER, ALASKA
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING? (WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING, ETC)
Farming for Twitter Creek in Homer, Alaska
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING?
Seasonally, off and on, since 2004. Full-time since 2018 (except for this winter, when I caught Covid in long-form). For the past 5 years or so, I have farmed in Alaska in the summers and on Kauai in the winters.
WHAT INITIALLY BROUGHT YOU TO THE FIELDS?
Loving working outdoors and wanting to feed people. The magic of growing things. Eating well. Feeling burly:)
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN TO FARM FOR SOMEONE ELSE (NOW OR IN THE PAST?)
It didn’t feel like a choice…at first it was to learn how to farm.
I never had the start-up money or land available, or the drive/guts to figure out how to make it work on my own. I guess I want the camaraderie of a farm crew without the responsibility and financial strain of owning and running one. At least, that’s what I want now.
When I was younger, I used to dream of owning my own farm, but that time has passed. Land can’t really be “owned,” and these days, I’d much rather be part of a farm that was more like a communal stewardship project. There’s too much to be done to go it alone, and together makes it more fun.
WHAT ARE SOME ISSUES FOR FARMERS WORKING ON SOMEONE ELSE'S FARM - ISSUES THAT YOU'VE WITNESSED OR EXPERIENCED?
You have to do things the way that makes sense to someone else’s sense of accomplishment, timing, and order of importance, which may or may not feel natural to your own.
You often use your body in ways that maybe you wouldn’t, if everything was up to you.
Having worked on many different farms, I can say that everyone does things their own way, and sometimes it’s less about rhyme and reason, and more about the groove that’s already been established. There can be tensions.
You know it’s a good farm scene when management is truly open to hearing your ideas, even if they decide not to go with them in the end.
Meanwhile, the plus side of learning different ways to do the same things is that it helps keep your muscle memory/mind more supple and active.
CAN YOU TELL ME THE QUALITIES OF A DREAM FARM NOT LEADING TO OWNERSHIP - THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO WORK ON?
Yes…a community farm! Everyone truly has their hearts in it AND is willing to listen to/be open to each other’s ways of doing things (or we all just automatically agree–ha!) Everyone has as much say/participation as they’re up for, feels like equals and is excited. There is continual growth in a way that keeps things interesting (although the farm itself does not need to get bigger just to get bigger). The farm is entwined with the larger community and has their active support. Everyone gets what they need from it, according to what they put into it.
“I am afraid that as good as farming has been for keeping me more fit in my life, it is also wearing my body down, slowly. I am afraid that I won't be able to learn how to do, or enjoy doing anything else. And I worry when I already enjoy some of it less (cold rainy days, too much mud, slowing down, aches and pains) as I age.”
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
Farming is what I know. Also, most of my clothes have dirt stains and I’m terrible at sitting still at a desk :) I love eating fresh foods from the field, being outdoors, watching/helping things grow, the satisfaction of a job well done and the vibe of a good farm crew working together. It’s like being on a sports team, since farm work takes physical and psychological endurance and can be surprisingly emotional/passionate at times.
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE DIFFERENCE (IF ANY) BETWEEN A FARMER AND A "FARM WORKER"/"FARM EMPLOYEE" BESIDES PROPRIETORSHIP?
I don’t personally view those words as having much difference. Anyone who farms, to me, is a farmer or farm worker.
Maybe “farmer” is more inclusive, since it doesn’t delineate between “farm owner” and regular “farm worker”?
On the farms where I have repeatedly returned, ownership is not held over folks’ heads in the way that it often is in other jobs.
We are small crews and all of us feel like we’re a fairly necessary part of things, even though we know and respect our “bosses,” as such.
What the owners earn vs what we earn is vastly different, as are the long-term benefits for them vs for us, but it’s like that in most work places, and at least here we work side by side, respecting each other.
I do not envy my bosses, the chores of running the business side of the farms or dealing with people in an HR way. Bigger doses of work and stress fall on the bosses’ shoulders more than on ours.
DO YOU CALL YOURSELF A FARMER? WHY OR WHY NOT.
Yes, I call myself a farmer because I farm. By hand, mostly. I kinda think folks who never have to get out of their big, air-conditioned machines and touch the actual soil should be called “Big Agra Drivers.” ;)
Sometimes I call myself a “seasonal worker” in solidarity with seasonal workers from out of the country. The migrant workers I have known have been harder, faster and more efficient workers, and had better humor than I could manage, even while probably working for much less.
People need to know that the larger US farming system currently isn’t functional without migrant farmers, so accommodations should be made, including better pay, way better living and working conditions, and no threats by governments and law enforcement. We need to equally value everyone who does this work. It is hard work and not everyone wants to or has the capacity to do it. We should be grateful to anyone who does the work well and continues to show up by creating supports for them. No farmers, no food.
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR PEOPLE WORKING ON FARMS NOT THEIR OWN?
Access to bathroom/outhouse with a place to hang your wet or muddy rain gear so it doesn’t get in the way. Space to keep your lunch, away from mice and heat or cold. Hot water for washing on cold days. Fresh drinking water. Pads on concrete floors where much standing is done. Spaces to get warm and dry in bad weather. Good insulated gloves for washing veggies in the cold water. Community members who understand and acknowledge our hard work–which is ultimately for them–and maybe a little help with weeding, every so often. Community members who can offer low-cost, seasonal housing if the farm doesn’t do housing. Medical and dental facilities with sliding scales so we can afford the basics. Potentially a vehicle-share if housing is far from the farm. Bosses who understand that your hard work will pay out for them in the long run, but not necessarily for you, and who try to balance that.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOURSELF & YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FARMING? WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
I am afraid that as good as farming has been for keeping me more fit in my life, it is also wearing my body down, slowly. I am afraid that I won’t be able to learn how to do, or enjoy doing anything else. And I worry when I already enjoy some of it less (cold rainy days, too much mud, slowing down, aches and pains) as I age.
I’m afraid that if we aren’t deliberate about it, small, organic farming will be something that only the well-to-do can afford, and I want to make sure everyone gets access to high-quality, fresh and healthy foods, whether that’s to buy or to grow for themselves.
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION/TAKE ON THE FARMER LUNCH? (DO YOU TAKE LUNCH, DO YOU SKIP LUNCH, DO YOU ENJOY TAKING LUNCH WITH YOUR CREW - FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING, IS THERE PRESSURE TO BE SOCIAL....)
I like having that be open and unscripted.
On some farms, lunch was provided and was a long, delicious, relaxing break. On other farms, it’s optional and can be skipped if you’d rather get to leave early. I have enjoyed both ways.
On my current farm, we mostly bring our own food, although people often share what they bring. Some take their lunch away from the crew for quiet time, while some bond with the crew while they eat. We usually have 30-45 minutes, but that’s usually a little bit too long for me to sit if I’m going to keep working afterwards. If I get antsy, I go weed or stretch or restart my time clock, early. It’s all good. I think the secret to a good farm lunch is flexibility and flow, and everyone knowing/agreeing to the expectations.
