Realities of an Organic Farmer's Life

by Kristine Leuze, Tastemaker in Residence

Recently, a local organic farmer posted on Instagram the stark realities of living and working on an organic farm. They lost almost everything during the June 11th storm that rolled through our part of Minnesota. Many of our local farmers had downed trees on their property and entire crops damaged by hail. That farmer’s post on Instagram was gut wrenching. It seemed that they had lost all hope and were thinking about giving up.

I started to imagine my life without their farm. It wouldn’t be a far stretch for a young couple starting out as organic farmers to throw in the towel after a few big losses such as the one they experienced on June 11th. I can only imagine that it’s beyond frustrating to work such long days in the heat and dirt only to see it all wiped away in a matter of minutes, with one storm.

My family always buys the most gorgeous micro greens from these particular farmers at our Wednesday farmers market and their Japanese turnips are delicious roasted! I live in a small community and finding micro greens in my area would not be easy; so I really want them to continue farming. I will continue to support them and be an advocate for them and all our local farmers.

There are a lot of reasons to shop at your local farmer’s market or purchase a CSA share/box, but the main reason I keep coming back is basic. I make it a point to shop at my farmer’s market so that they will be there the next week. I want them to make enough money and to feel rewarded enough to keep coming back each week.

The work is so hard and so labor intensive, these people are not doing it for the money. They are doing it because they believe in this way of life. They are doing it because they care about sustainability. They do it because they care about taste and flavor and quality of life. I honestly can’t imagine a life where the summer taste of just picked sweet corn roasted with basil is taken away from me. If there aren’t enough people there to buy what they grow, they won’t be there in the future.

As I write this, I have a strawberry rhubarb pie in the oven and garlic scape pesto is also on the list of things to do today. My children were with me when I purchased the ingredients and even though they might be too busy with their electronics to help me prepare these dishes, I know that they will enjoy them. The memories made by participating in the shopping and eating of these yearly treats is priceless.

I can’t imagine our life without our local farmers and I intend to do everything I can to keep as many organic farmers as possible involved in our community; preserving our way of life.