Alas

A blog, finally! Welcome all! Glad you at least have minimal interest in reading what I have been up immediately following graduation. Here's an update thus far (pictures to come or you can check out either Facebook or Dave's blog: http://futurefarmerdave.blogspot.com/)

*Photo by Shannon Dils*
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Finally all caught up! Wednesday June 2nd. Today! Wednesdays are always; except today and we will get to that, a day off for the farm

intern crew. A sacred day with no chores or farm duties (Sundays are off with rotating chores but never Wednesdays). This is a day off unless of course you are new and have orientation, which we had today. Farm orientation and than community orientation (since they can be separate if you wish, your choice. Everything here is your choice with no pressure or guilt**, what a concept!)


Tuesday June 1st, First day of work! As all good days will (everyday), we began with pipe change. Basically, water here is a huge concern and something the farm managers are thinking about all the time. They use irrigation and we must move (change) the pipes to water the grazing fields (for our 100% GRASS FED BEEF!). Anyway, that was a plug by the way for grass fed beef in general, so find some at your local market. So, we harvested weighed and washed spinach, radishes, lettuce and chives for the kitchen. Planted more beans and carrots. Weeded and straw mulched potato beds. It was a good sweaty day. Since everyday here is a party, in the evening we had a potluck at Laura's to welcome the newest and final addition to the farm crew, Julie. :0)







*Photos by Shannon Dils*




Monday 31st, Happy Memorial Day! The day began innocently enough helping Laura to set up the final interns accommodation (room) in the communal housing. Long story short we ended up travelling through the Rocky Mountain National Park with Bob, Laura, Joe and Allie! It was BEAUTIFUL! We went all the way around from Ester Park to Grand on the other side. We were on the highest continuous motorway in the United States, Trail Ridge Road at 12,18 ft (Sunrise is at 5,000. Durham at approx 42 ft). Amazing!

Sunday 30th, work did not start for us until Tuesday, we were essentially in vacation mode still. We went foraging for wild herbs with Sarah (and Sierra of course). She makes salves and tea (amazing.) As a side note I will say here she also makes Kombucha (medicinal, tasty, fermented tea) and we are going to get some of her "mother" to make some of our own! The night ended with a party for one of the community members birthdays (a power couple from NYC with their adorable children who recently moved to the Ranch).

Saturday 29th, We meander around the grounds more, doing a little hiking in the foothills, generally settling in and trying to remember all the names! Saturday night the interns (total of 7) and farm staff went to a rodeo in Fort Collins, yeee hawwww!!!!
*Photo by Shannon Dils*


Friday 28th, Leaving Denver was sad but meant it was finally time for the arrival at Sunrise Ranch! We took a bus from Denver to Longmont, where Sarah (one of the farm managers) and her beautiful 4.5 mo daughter Sierra graciously picked us up and drove us to Loveland. The first day we met people, settled into our own trailer (amazing accommodations compared to the electricity-less yurts we were considering staying in at other farms!), and attended a potluck with the other farm staff, interns and members of the community. We also learned about the
"shopping" we get to do. Our small stipends allow for free housing and food. The food is incredible. Most veggies are grown right here on the farm, others are bought organically. The beef is our own (grass-fed naturally, naturally :0), and everything is just what you want! Anyway, so we get to go into the industrial kitchen (the site also hosts conferences in addition to the 70 or so people who live in the community so they cook for a lot of people!) and pick out what we want, and well that's it! It is a really fun game that I could get used to.

Thursday 27th, Early morning arrival in Denver! A pleasant clean city with friendly people and our first taste of dry air/high elevation. A friend of Dave's, B.J. (also known as Will), picked us up and showed us to his fabulous house complete with beautiful fiancee', Harley the dog and Lucy the cat. We spend the day exploring Denver and just hanging out.

Wednesday 26th, Arrival in Chicago, layover, board and ride overnight double decker train to Denver. The irony of our trip was traveling (to our organic farm) through not only endless cornfields but also grain elevators (for corn/soy) and seeing large rail cars filled with vats of Cargill corn syrup! (we got a picture) Geeeze, we were certainly happy not to drive through that shenanigans. The train was pleasant and easy, I would totally do it again.


Tuesday 25th, Amtrak train left Bridgeport, CT arrival in Penn Station (NY), followed by an overnight train to Chicago (arrive Wednesday). Met "T" a wonderfully friendly turban wearing musician (and vegan) with gardening experience. We also met Heldi, a 73 year old who grew up in Germany during WWII!

Monday 24th, essentially a complete blur but what I think happened is unpacking followed by repacking and a great wild-caught Salmon dinner- yum!

Sunday May 23rd, Pack up and head home to Trumbull (CT), unload copious amount of stuff to lovely parent's attic and home (thanks Mom and Dad!)

Saturday May 22nd, Graduation part I from the University of New Hampshire, horray!