Strawberry Fields, Forever

The 11,000 strawberry plants were shipped today. Camarosa, out of California.

Small farmer, I am. But, just as hopeful as the larger farms here.

This avatar is my farm. Hydroponic, which means absolutely nothing in the marketing of strawberries.

Love,
Betty

Betty wrote:

Quote :

Hydroponic... means absolutely nothing in the marketing of strawberries.

It should. Hopefully, before long, it will. You are doing a good thing, Betty.

Ann

Dear Ann,

Good thing or not, it matters only if the berries I plant can be sold at a competive price on the farmers market.

If I could make a living at it, I would do my heart's inclinaton and have a mirad of produce to sell. Alas! being this 16 miles from towns, no one is likely to come here to buy anything.

They bring their children for a day in the country. That is where I have some fun. The children look at Margaret and Reginald, Old Agnes hides, and the Bully Frogs laugh from the ditch. Sir Doodah throws acorns on their head.

I am the luckiest of lucky people to have such gentle friends that love children
and to call you all on this board my friends.
Love,
Betty

Betty,

We are the lucky ones--you are amazing.

I am worried to our Carol. What a hard row to hoe she and Tom have!

Every day, I look for a post and when there is none, I worry more. I try to put myself in her place, see through her eyes, read through her brain these words that we write on this message place.

Once in a while, I think I have the perfect words to write. Words that would heal her body and soul.

We are word merchants. We should know the words that would do the healing.

But. there are no words equal to the task.

Love,
Betty

Perhaps, 'love' is the word,

Betty,

She is on a new chemo and tolerating it well. Naturally our hope and prayer is that it is working.

I know God is the great Physician and can do what the doctors cannot.

She and Tom are very special people.

Keep praying.

Betty,
your empathy about Carol is shared.

Your work as a small farmer is needed. Small farmers have virtually disappeared just as the small stores that once catered to local populations. Conglomerates tend to wipe out the small guy and create unemployment. Being self-reliant is still a good thing.

I am feeling better. I want to keep living and I know your prayers are helping.

Love, Carol

Carol Troestler wrote:

I am feeling better. I want to keep living and I know your prayers are helping.

Love, Carol

Thank God--He is so good!

Glad to hear you're hanging in there, Carol. Did you have a relapse or something, or is your current treatment part of an on-going thing?

Quote :

If I could make a living at it, I would do my heart's inclinaton and have a mirad of produce to sell. Alas! being this 16 miles from towns, no one is likely to come here to buy anything.

Betty, I thought you farmed for a living?

Strawberries are all planted. It is amazing what the human body can do. Three ladies, one child and myself did it all in one day.

LC,
I had a wetland mitigation business and planted retention ponds for golf courses for 12 years. When the golf courses could not sell any more houses, my business had no clients.

At the same time, I turned 66. My endurance for the muck and mire lessened and so we invested in the hydroponic stacking equipment. I worked my behind off getting it all set up, and the first year, I did what I considered was a wonderful plan of growing lovely vegetables that people could come and pick for themselves. That first year I planted 3000 strawberries. I could not give the stuff away. A few people would take the time and effort to come and harvest, but the major part of the produce was picked and preserved by myself. Four rows of green beans netted 400 lbs of beans. I snapped, and canned in jars mostly all of that. I gave away so much. The lettuce, the beets, the greens, the broccoli......well most all of it went into my pantry or freezer.

For three years, I have not purchased vegetables except for celery, asparagus and once in a while a tomato to use fresh.

The second year, we found a broker who would buy strawberries, so we planted most of the place in strawberries. That year, the weather distroyed our prospects.

This year, we are having another go at the strawberries and I have planted some in vegetables to put up for this year.

So far, this farming has not been enough to make a living. My David has a good paying job and so we are ok. The economy has been so bleak and everywhere people are just glad to have a job. We are too.

In a couple of months, I will turn 68. I get a little tired.

Love,
Betty

Betty,
reading your story gives focus to the plight of the farmer. It is not only economic factors, but harvests are weather-dependent. Where I live, the grape harvest was about 1/3 of the previous year due to a terrible hail storm that destroyed most of the vineyards.

Getting older doesn't help with physical labor. I admire your tenacity.

Dear Abe,
Up the road about a quarter of a mile, nice people have been growing grapes of several varieties for several years. This year, they have opened a winery. I think it is mostly an agri-tourism business this year. I wish them well. They have done this on one acre.
The spirt of America is alive and well out here in the country. I never give up.

Love,
Betty

You are amazing.