And What a Help It Was!

by Aimee Figgatt

Community Help a Farmer Day? Sure! I’ll sign up for that!  I had no idea what I was getting into but I knew this: I needed help!

High Tunnel in the fall

My thoughts were a few beds put together, maybe some planting? No. I was wrong.
Along came Beth Rankin, then Julie Schaer followed by a crowd of shovel carrying friends: Jeanne Brown with the girl scouts: Kaylee, Jordan, Alexis, Christy. Vanessa and Megan Sanders, Diane and Anna Lumadue, Sammy Torres, Julianna Lucci, Barney Sigman and Annette Erikson. Nicky Walters and Dorella Tuckwiller came along with Darwin the dog. We had a wonderful crew with folks who just went to work and didn’t stop until the work was done! Darwin wanted to help too so he did so by digging holes here and there. We love Darwin.You may recognize Nicky’s as the WOWK Ch. 13 news reporter and Yes! She decided that something as wonderful as the community coming over to help a farm is very newsworthy. Beth did a great job as our spokesperson. She explained to Nicky’s camera how important local food is, how important farming is and what a group of folks can do in one day for a farmer like myself. She even gave us a lesson on how to learn to speak “reporter”.
Three hours into the work day here on our farm our high tunnel had 9 more raised beds, dirt filled in each one, row covers over the original 5 rows and mulch in rows between. The high tunnel was nearly completely ready for planting!
I am amazed how quickly things went together with the knowledgeable hardworking hands of old friends, new friends and farmer friends. I am eternally grateful to each and every one!
My Mother-in-law Karen Figgatt made a wonderful lunch complete with homemade pie for dessert – so we all walked to her house to relax for a minute and eat. When we returned to the high tunnel Sammy, Julie, Annette and Barney had put three carrot beds in place and had them nearly full of dirt.
After our tired friends went home, Kaylee and I planted each of the prepared beds with cool weather crops. We’ll have to get more dirt before we can plant the carrots. Peas will be planted tomorrow and I’m delighted to say that I expect to begin harvesting spinach, lettuces, baby swiss chard and other cool crops in about 30 days – for the consumers at The Wild Ramp.
Before walking out of the high tunnel this evening I turned and looked around at the progress. What could have not been able to accomplish on my own in 5 months was complete in a matter of hours. I smiled, closed my eyes, thanked God for my friends and family and closed the door until tomorrow.

“Farming…….. is a profession of hope”
― Brian Brett

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