Moving with the Pace of Nature

Written By: Peter

Right now, we are in our second, or third week of reduced social interaction (honestly, these weeks have been a good example of slowing down time). As stated in the previous newsletter; there is a lot of uncertainty.

Nature is in perpetual movement. The environment is constantly changing, for one reason or another. Plants, animals and insects that live in it are constantly adapting to those changes. 

Despite all the current uncertainty, nature is still going strong. Plants are growing in the field, birds arriving back from their winter journeys, and insects are beginning to make their first ventures in search of food again. All of these organisms (plant and animal alike) are dealing with their own set of uncertain conditions. They are all on the swinging pendulum of life, swinging back and forth through cycles of growth and decay.

This past winter was the warmest on record in the area, ever; plants are all waking up about a month earlier than normal. We are here, hard at work, alongside our plants, helping to nurture them through their trying adjustment to novel growing conditions. On their own, many plants may not make it through seasonal variation like this. Normally perennial plants would just be looking to break dormancy over the next week. Given the warm winter here, all of our perennials broke dormancy 3 weeks ago. This might look like an early start, but frosty cold mornings still roll through, and if it wasn't for our work to cover the plants, that tender new growth may be damaged or destroyed. Life's pendulum swings at a more gradual pace than our own expectations. So, we are hard at work to buffer some of the damage that the weather could bring, and keeping heads up as the growing season marches steadily onward.

At this point, many of us are finding scrappy ways to stay busy, productive and engaged. I have seen more people going for walks outside, riding bikes or doing lawn work. Communities are also finding novel ways to stay in touch, even if they cant be together in person. Plenty of musicians out there are playing live concerts from home; restaurants are offering curbside pickup, and many companies have gotten their workforce setup remotely.

Despite the feverish pace of media and general fear of the current situation, many people have embraced their role in working with nature's rhythm by staying home, being healthy and finding optimism. Nature adapts to change, and despite our best efforts, we are still a part of nature.

Stay in Touch and Follow the story here as the season continues to unfold. We will continue to work hard here, so that when this all clears out, you will have a beautiful farm to come and share with the community.

Star Bright Farm