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  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Publications and Projects
    • Accolades
  • Consulting + Project Management
    • Organizational Management + Evaluation
    • Facilitation + Meeting Support
    • Food + Farming Projects
  • Public Speaking
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  • Stories from the Field
    • Food + Farming
    • Life + Love
    • Health + Wellness
Wit Meets Grit - Rolling up our sleeves and having fun.
future farmer

a whole new world.

What the? Where did the last month go? Its all a blur of strawberries, beans, onions, and dirt. Needless to say, we are not growing computers with wireless internet, so I have not exactly had a lot of access to upload my thoughts and pics.

So what the heck have I been doing?

Every day I step into my new office…aka…Joseph Fields Farm on River Rd (much roomier than the cubicles and shared office spaces I had gotten used to). My co-workers are all splitting up into their individual tasks for the morning: picking, packing, planting, weeding, watering and well… the list could go on infinitely. The staff is a mix of local Johns Islanders, Mexicans, and Guatemalans plus myself and two others that are directly involved in selling to chefs. Most people have a pretty regular schedule and know their jobs when they arrive, with the biggest factor being what to harvest, which field, and with whom.

Joseph Fields, my new boss.

At some point I get been pulled into one of the above listed jobs…

When I work with the field workers, I pick first thing in the morning then wash and pack the produce for one of seven markets and dozens of clients. Half of my thoughts are lost on how to translate my conversation into Spanish and the other half are focused on mastering the art of quick picking. What exactly am I picking, you wonder? Well, what is in season of course 🙂 Right now that is peas, strawberries, all kinds of greens, turnips, carrots, onions, and broccoli.

As the weeks progress I find myself harvesting specialty items on my own…quietly working my way down the field listening to the sounds of the farm. Last week I found myself surrounded with rows of English peas, cheering on ladybugs as they hunted aphids…the glory of organic farming!


When I am not picking, I am shadowing the rest of the crew in various jobs. So far I have: planted potatoes, weeded, helped lay plastic and irrigation line (tractor attachment to the right), shelled peas, learned a little arc welding, built a play table for the goats, painted some signs, worked the farmers markets, gone on deliveries, and given quick tutorials on the farming equipment. Everyday is different from the previous, which makes my weeks pass quickly.

The one constant in my days is the animals. Since I was gravitating towards them every morning anyways, I have inherited critter duty. I could spend all day feeding peas to the chicks, scratching behind the ears of my favorite three-legged goat(left), and trying to convince the lone friendly rooster “Roy” to let me pick him up.

The hardest part would be getting into the laying coop…oh how those roosters (fighting cocks, really) protect their ladies. Sweet jesus, they are mean. Joseph said he picked two varieties that are known to fearlessly fight to the death against ANY predator. We are talking lethal, bloody thirsty, fighting machines. Okay, so maybe I am over exaggerating, but they are nasty little birds. Regardless, just imagine stepping into a five by ten room and having two 5 pound flying, spur happy, pecking birds coming at your legs and head simultaneously. Meanwhile, you are simply trying to provide them food and water (how predatory of me). Joseph confidently strides in with a one by one tomato stake and pushes these birds around with finesse. Meanwhile, if they see me coming near the door, they will rush it, ready to attack.

Doesn’t he just look mean?

Last week, I opened the door only to have one fly straight at my head and escape. I slammed the coop door before the rest followed and with no defense, I had no choice but to run. Yes, I ran…all the way to the house. And that little punk chased me (they are really fast by the way) all the while I was screaming for Joseph like a five year old yells for her father. I stopped running when I heard the sound of chickens fighting and turned to see Roy, my friendly rooster, defending my honor! I was so proud of my little voice-cracking, outcast, little bird friend. He continued to protect me while Joseph and his wife corralled the nasty one back into the coop. Since then, I have not attempted to re-enter the coop… I will leave that to Joseph. Instead I spoil Roy, the chicks, and my lovely goats.

Roy, my hero, stands guard in front of the coop.
(I think he is quite handsome.)

April 28, 2010by Nikki
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future farmer

Future Farmer.


As I have alluded to in other posts, I am starting a new job on April 1st as a Farming Apprentice. So what does this mean? Well, I honestly am so overwhelmed with work (especially since I am lobbying for Habitat to allow me transition to a consultant position) that I don’t have time to write it up myself, so here is all the information from the website.

Growing New Farmers Incubator Pilot

(April – Nov 2010)

Goal: to begin growing the next generation of farmers in the Lowcountry. These new community food system leaders and entrepreneurs will use this experience to: improve the health of our community, preserve and steward our land, and strengthen our local food economy.

The Partners – LLF, three local experienced farmers, three apprentices, seven area restaurants, and one non-profit working with an underserved population will participate.

Year 1:

1) New Farmer Training: (April 2010)

* Four days a week the apprentices will learn/ practice Sustainable Agriculture techniques on local farms. Rosebank Farm, Fields Farm, Our Local Food.

* Monthly classes in agriculture: (Organic Growing School Model). This program is open to old and young farmers in the Lowcountry.

* LLF will pay for apprentices to take a business planning class, summer of 2010, and link apprentices with business mentors in our local community.

* Apprentices complete a business plan and crop plan for their own farm enterprise for Nov 2010 Graduation.

2) Marketing/Online Market: (Mid April 2010)

* One day a week apprentices will focus on marketing of farmers produce to restaurants, farm stand/ CSA.

* Apprentices will upload pictures of ripe produce weekly online. They will also train their farm instructor.

* Chefs will place orders: Glass Onion, Al Di La, Med Bistro, Fish, Monza, Fig, McCradys * Apprentices will deliver to restaurants weekly.

* Local farmers increase sales, restaurants increased supply of local food; farmers trained in new system; apprentices practice direct marketing.

3) Community Development/ Food Access: (Fall 2010)

* Apprentices partner with a local community organization to promote healthy fresh fruits and vegetables.

* Apprentices develop direct marketing experience through Farm Stand project, or low income CSA. This is an intensive training and education program and only those dedicated to learning the skill of farming should apply. Conditions are hot and days are long but this is a wonderful opportunity for those with a passion for the land!

Lowcountry Local First will provide:

* Opportunity for hands-on experience farming

* Opportunity to learn direct sales marketing

* $500 month taxable stipend (April – July & Sept-Nov 2010)

* Housing Option

* Fresh Veggies

* Tuition for Entrepreneurship class in July/August

Contact Elizabeth Beak, Program Director of Sustainable Agriculture at Elizabeth@lowcountrylocalfirst.org or 843-740-5444

March 3, 2010by Nikki
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