Reflecting On Our First Season
Sitting inside warmed by our wood stove, we're reminded that the farm is settling into its winter routine. The garden is pushing out its last nutrients. The bees are gathering the lingering pollen. The chickens and quail eggs decrease daily with the shorter days.
It's in these moments of slowing down that we can reflect on the season we had and celebrate all that happened on our farm.
It feels impossible that this time last year none of this existed. If you've followed our story, you know that we've only been on this property for going on two years. We spent most of last year making our property habitable and safe. Last October, we were taking a second to breathe, exploring the changing leaves of West Virginia on trails with our girls. The farm was still a dream.
In less than a year, we built safe habitats to raise hundreds of quail, chickens, and rabbits. Pointless lawn areas and the scar where a house once stood became lush gardens and wild flower fields. And in the early and late hours of the day, we stood up a business and met all of you.
We celebrated every single milestone, every single win. Our first chicken eggs from each coop brought cheers. The first time we broke five dozen quail eggs in a single day. Our first successful litter from each of our rabbit does. Each plant that sprouted and then produced fruit. The first customer to show up at the farm stand, and the first to order online. Every person who was helped as a result of our Farm for Better program.
Our first season was full of little celebrations.
We'll be honest. It's been an exhausting year. There have been plenty of moments where all we want to do is sleep, and we hit some serious burn out in July. But we passionately know what we are doing is important. Now more than ever, our farm is vital for our own food security and those around us.
That's what keeps us moving forward on the hardest days.
It’s hard to put to words the joy each day brought us, and so we put together a little video for you to enjoy instead.