This week has been a bit of a strange one due to the weather, with the copious amounts of snow we received previously this winter rapidly succumbing to the relatively warmer temperatures and rain that has accompanied it. This has made for icy mornings and mucky afternoons, as the melt-off struggles to work its way into the frozen ground below, resulting in frigid pools of water and slush in the low resting points of the roads and surrounding landscapes. Fortunately, some of our past rainwater harvesting earthworks are assisting in receiving much of this excess moisture, and effectively banking it for use during the spring and summer months ahead. Along with that, we have been cleaning up the site of the old farm storage shed, which was recently deconstructed and demolished, making way for a new farm stand which will house a shop full of farm grown delights and offices for the future farm manager, as well as the farm stay reception office.

It seemed symbolically fitting that the last building from the old farm has vanished from ABC acres as I transition out in the next  couple of weeks, with the new farm manager getting a fresh start in a new space and office once construction is completed. I got to meet one of the candidates this week and talk with him for a bit. When we were finishing up his tour of the farm manager house that has been my home for the last 3 1/2 years, we exchanged well wishes and the like. As I was shaking his hand, I said, “…and if you get the job, please take good care of my baby.” He said, “I certainly will.”

My word choice struck me, as I had another realization of how much of myself I have put into helping create this permaculture demonstration site over the past 4 1/2 years, as well as how much the interaction between the farm and myself has caused me to learn, grow, and change for the better. I walked away feeling a deep sense of appreciation, and even some expectant joy for the next person to take over my role as land manager here at ABC acres, knowing that this place will have lessons to teach them as they steward and care for it. As I prepare to leave this beautiful place, I leave with a heart full of gratitude to the people and place that will always have a piece of my heart, as well as be a part of my story.

Blessings,

Grant

P.S. Below you will find this week’s YouTube video!