The end...and the beginning

"For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction." 

-Cynthia Occelli

The Farmer Training Program concluded the last week of October. It was a jam-packed week of final presentations, Farmer Olympics, our graduation ceremony, parties, and farewells to friends. Throughout the final weeks of the program, I was overwhelmed with a sense of how much I had learned and changed over the past six months. I came to Vermont to learn how to farm and grow food, and understand food systems, and see examples of how sustainable agriculture is working in America. But I came away with so much more. I've learned how much I love being outside everyday--even when it's hot and rainy and swarming with mosquitos--nurturing plants that will one day provide me with delicious vegetables and fruits. I've learned about different models of small-scale farming, and the creative ways farmers are finding success and fulfillment in a notoriously difficult and often looked-down-upon profession. I've learned about issues related to farmer livelihood, food distribution and access, government regulation, and the ecological impacts of agriculture. I've met and worked with some of the most respected farmers in Vermont, who willingly shared their time and knowledge to support the next generation of farmers. And most importantly, I've come away with an incredible circle of farmer friends who are going to plant roots across the country and help shape sustainable systems for growing, distributing, and purchasing food.

Our last week together kicked off with two days of presenting on our final projects. Each student picked a topic to present on, such as developing a farm business plan, or a research project on a farm-related issue (I presented on urban agriculture). It was a nice capstone to the program, and a fun way for everyone to share their particular interests with the group. Our final day on the farm was spent competing in the Farmer Olympics. Events included a pitch fork toss, spelling bee, garlic peeling race, and a relay race through various farm tasks. (My team took the gold!) The festivities concluded, of course, with a massive dance party. Afterwards, we had a ceremonial planting of the garlic. Garlic is the one crop we overwinter on the farm; it has to be planted in the fall in order to be harvested in the summer. It gives a nice sense of continuity to each glass of students: we harvested the garlic last year's class planted, next year's class will harvest our garlic, etc.

Farmer Olympics

Before leaving the farm for the day, we all gathered in the hoop house. Our farm manager Rachel gave each of us a bean/ seed (a Vermont Cranberry bean to be exact) and told us of her mantra each winter, when the farm is frozen and it feels like nothing will ever grow again: faith in a seed. (Thoreau said it first, but it definitely resonates with any grower of plants). She read us a poem with the same sentiment--that you have to trust that a little seed will one day grow into a beautiful plant. S'ra, our program coordinator, read us an adorable children's book called Miss Maple's Seeds, about Miss Maple who takes care of the seeds throughout the seasons until they are ready to go out into the world. Obviously, all this seed metaphor was in reference to us, the students, ready to plant our farmer roots after six months of training. Sentimental farming bunch we are, there were a few sniffles and tears that chilly afternoon in the hoop house. And of course, a group hug or two.

Graduation took place the next day. We had a nice ceremony on UVM campus with friends, family, and fellow farmers in attendance. There were speeches and poems, a slideshow of photos from the season, and a personal haiku recited for each student as they received their certificate. It was a lovely way to close out the program and recognize our accomplishments. (You can read a nice summary of the ceremony here.) The rest of the weekend was filled with graduation and Halloween parties, packing, and sad goodbyes to friends who I've only known for six months but I hope will have for a lifetime. I couldn't have asked for a better experience in the Farmer Training Program: I learned so much about farming, and Vermont, and myself. And, obviously, had a ton of fun while I was at it (I once heard one of our rotation farmers fondly refer to FTP as "camp," which feels fairly accurate). I'm going to miss my crazy rag-tag group of farmers and can't wait to see what they'll all do next.

Farmer Training Program Class of 2015

And now...I've returned to DC, which still feels like home after six months away. I'm slowly picking up the pieces of my old life, reconnecting with friends, and settling back into my house. I'm still looking for a full-time job, but luckily the food systems advocacy scene is growing in DC, so I'm hopeful I'll find something that will be a good fit for me. I've already made some promising connections and am excited for whatever the future holds. I'm still on a total high from what was maybe the funnest summer of my adult life, and I feel like I've truly found my calling, which is a really nice feeling for someone who's never really known what I wanted to be when I grew up. Even though winter is nearly upon us, it feels a bit like spring to me: I'm just a little baby seed planted into a new home, eager to grow my roots and shoots.

Certified Sustainable Farmer!