Blog Post

Big Feelings - Chill Vibes

Lauren Jones • July 11, 2022

We have a new slogan at Ironwood Farm:

"Big Feelings - Chill Vibes"

At this point in the season there is a siren's call to panic, pressure and stress. Farmers can sense it building alongside the humidity/heat (the rashes!), the pest pressure and the bone-dry soil. We run a narrow gauntlet each year as it relates to the many variables of growing food within/alongside the natural environment. And then this gauntlet is itself within an already squeezed political environment that does not prioritize resiliency, rest or care.

I feel so proud of this Ironwood Farm team in how we have *a lot of capacity* (not all the capacity) to tune out that siren's call and choose love and care for each other and ourselves. There are for sure moments of doubt, of pushing through, and of feeling the impacts on our bodies... and feeling at the edge of this job and way of life. While Aliyah and I have made a conscious effort in the past many years to set this culture - as much flexibility as we can offer each other, including space to heal, to care for children, to take vacations, to take breaks as needed - this Chill Vibes atmosphere absolutely would not exist without the total dream team of farmers that are gracing the farm this year. We are figuring out ways to carry the fullness of Big Feelings that comes with being a human at this time, in this place, in this profession - and in our individual lives, while allowing a lot of space within our workplace. Its really hard to describe... but if you've been in our orbit I'm sure you've felt it! Almost 99% of the time when we rally for a task its with a giggle, a saunter (we do not run from task to task), and a snack. Again, small but essential things in our daily existence. I am realizing that every time I write about this team I want to mention the snacks!

I am also feeling so grateful for this seasons volunteers!! Andy, Kara, Donnay, B and Inez contribute so much to the same spirit above that keeps us in the game. When someone joins the team as a volunteer it brings a special energy and encouragement from the outside world (farms can be a bit isolating). This is a feeling/presence I imagine is common in community led farms... where there is a sense of the food being grown for the community at large, and a desire for that to succeed not from a capitalistic standpoint but from the perspective of wholeness/connection/contribution/sustenance. Our farm team brings this but the volunteers really enhance it and bring it to potency. Check out our Instagram page for an upcoming post highlighting some super-amazing volunteer projects that we are adoring right now!

Wishing for you all to experience the sweetness that I get to be around each day. And thank you for being part of this little farm's world!

In gratitude,

Lauren

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