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Going above my raising

9/26/2014

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I spent the last two weeks being humbled and honored at several events across the state for my recent work in local food at home here in South Central, Kentucky.  While making me a bit uncomfortable it’s offered me the opportunity to reflect on how much has changed in my life and community over the past few years.

At several appointments I was asked to give an introduction to my work.  Before getting into the list of tasks and accomplishments that I know people had come to hear I started with this each and every time, “Six years ago I didn’t feel comfortable walking into a farmers market.”  To say it was to feel it again and I could tell that I made more than a few uncomfortable as they sat there in their chairs.  I won’t assume what made them uncomfortable.  Maybe it was that they had not expected me to begin that way or maybe they too have experienced the fear that they weren’t enough for something more, something better.

I know now that I was meant for this work.  I didn’t just stumble into a job at a local orchard or pursue a degree in agriculture or get hired by the University of Kentucky to help tobacco farmers transition to fruit and vegetable crops.  So how did I find myself in my early 30’s as a stay at home mom intimidated to shop face to face with local farmers?  I’m not sure-but it’s something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about lately.  I do know that it in some ways it stirs up feelings from my past.  Feelings that I could bury really deep or bravely dig up so that I continue the hard work of inclusiveness within a healthier food system.

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A photo of me and my mama.  Struggles often bring triumph.
You see-I was that girl.  I was the girl who stood at the end of the lunch line because I was one of the few who received free lunch and I was the girl who all the parents whispered about because they were concerned about me hanging out with their kids and I was the girl who had been kept in my place year after year.  And then I had enough.  A few good breaks, some positive folks, a bit of luck and a lot of faith landed me on the path towards finding my own unique place in this world.  I was doing it for my husband, my kids, myself-and others seemed to be helped by it too.  So I kept going until one day I looked up and it was apparent. 

I had gone above my raising.

This is where the hard work begins.  This is where the critics, the powerful, the ones who had considered me unassuming start to take notice and become concerned.  My work could become about them and I could say I’ve arrived or I can continue doing what I do for the people who need it most.  I can rise up or remain the least of these.  I choose the latter.

Opportunity should be handed out in handfuls to those who hard work and have determination-not because of who they know or where they come from.  I am proud of the work we are doing  here in my community and thankful for those who have believed in me along the way.  There are a lot of reasons why Kentucky falls short when it comes to our health, but together we can rise up and make changes one small step at a time.  I've been asking myself "what's next for local food" and I have several predictions that I'll be sharing soon.  Until then, go out and support a hard working farmer, public health employee, grocery store clerk or anyone who's spending their time serving you today.  They may be doing it because it's their only option or because they have a desire to serve.

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More updates from the farm {history, options, reality}

9/18/2014

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History

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We were visiting the Allen County library today and noticed this photo on the wall.  It's our house!  So we drove down the road to the historical society and spent two of the most precious hours with folks who grew up with people who lived in our home.  Here are a few of the details we have learned so far:
Records reveal that three families from South Carolina came into this area in the early 1800's.  The Dodson family was one fo them.  Charles Dodson, son of Dr. Dillingham Dodson (the first Allen County graduate of Harvard University) and grandson Charles Dodson, a revolutionary war soldier, married Osthinia Ham, daughter of William and Jennetta Williams Ham, and built this house of logs in October 1829.  The porch was added about 1850 by the son of Charles Dodson, Tillman who was only seven years old when his father died.  Tillman Dodson married Helen Harmon and they became the parents of a daughter, Melissa Dodson who married Thomas W. Smith.  They had three sons, Ewing, Marshall and Ernest, all of whom were born in the house.  The photo we have hanging in our home is of Tillman (holding Melissa), Helen and two of their sons Ewing and Marshall.  Ernest, who would have been born before Melissa is buried in the cemetery (having passed away around a year old).  The rest of the family is also buried in the family cemetery located just outside of our home.  We cannot wait to find out more information soon-particularly about the civil war solider Joseph W. Richards who is buried on the property.
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Farm Membership

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We're really busy expanding from a farm that supports one family to a farm that supports three.  The two CSA options that support the Howell family are currently full (although we do have a back up list option for our Protein & Vegetable share if anyone is interested.  Email us to be put on the back up list.

We are also creativing new opportunities for the Rolett family through a smaller, year round,  $20 CSA option.  Email them for more information.

And a prepared food CSA called Farm Fresh But Already Fixed created by Emily Cothran and Chelsea Sulesky using protein and vegetables from our farm  Email them for more information.

Reality on a farm

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We're tired.

Transitioning through the choices of modern convenience is hard work.  Put it to you this way-it doesn't get handed to you on a silver platter.  We're balancing harvests on two farms, transitioning our belongings from one farm to another, putting in infrastructure to financially support three families and making sure we have time with our kids (which is our main priority at this stage in life).  The most important thing we are gaining now is a lesson for our kids is that a meaningful life cannot be paid for with money.  It's hard work, but worth it (most importantly, when others benefit too).  The more we're given, the more will be expected.  We're spending a lot of time focusing on the hungry and remaining the least of these as we transition. It's been made even more difficult having found a unique, historic home as our homeplace-but we're remaining committed thanks to our friends at HOTEL INC and the Double Dollars program at CFM.

During the transition we've learned to expect times to get tough.  The tires blow out, the batteries go dead, it's hurry up and wait and patience runs thin.  But we truly believe that the hard work we are investing now will pay off in the end for us, our farm partners and the farm members who believe in us.  Our kids are learning what it looks like to look beyond yourself and towards something that benefits an entire community.We look forward to the future and thank each of you for caring about us along the way.
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Our real food journey continues...

9/2/2014

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Our real food journey began in 2006 after I began a breastfeeding relationship with our daughter Elizabeth and became motivated to make a commitment to local food for 6 months.  We were over weight, tired, and suffering all the symptoms of a pre-diabetic condition (sore joints, ear aches, chronic colds).  Our lives were drastically changed when we realized how much better we felt, how much clearer our thinking became and the connection we gained to one another rather than depending on unhealthy foods for comfort.  While fresh, local food is not the only way to obtain a healthier lifestyle-it is one very good way.  And I believe it's the way we were designed to eat-this food that we can grow right here in Kentucky-all year long-is a gift to those who accept it. 

After time we stepped back into the grocery store aisles and filled our cart with the brightly colored packaged foods that tastes so good, but those same symptoms came back quickly and we were motivated to find connection through healthy food again when our daughter Lilah suffered with food allergies and then a few years later when Nathan's mom was diagnosed with health issues related to food.  What we've learned is that it's a journey-not a tried and true change of habits.  I wish it were that simple, don't you?  I've learned that separating myself from the processed and packaged food from the grocery store from time to time helps encourage me to pick up simple techniques for cooking fresh food.  I'm reminded at how easy a meal can come together with simple ingredients like extra virgin olive oil and salt.  I truly believe that we were meant to eat fresh food that is in season, locally.  While it's difficult to obtain this in a restricted way-even for our family-making a commitment through shopping at the farmers market each week or joining a CSA helps hold us accountable.  It's through that connection to one another that we become motivated to make real differences that improve our quality of life and allow us to follow our callings to serve one another.

I'd like to introduce you to two CSA options that I believe may help you make your own commitment to fresh, local food over the coming year.

THINK little

We are excited to announce that Jordan and Jackson Rolett will be launching a $20 CSA option in October.  This is just the right amount for smaller households or those who only prepare a couple of meals at home each week.  They only have a few spots left so let them know if you would like to make a commitment.

For more information EMAIL JORDAN AND JACKSON

Farm Fresh-But Already Fixed

Emily is one of those friends who helps keep me accountable to fresh food through our Monday evening meals here at the farm.  She will be starting a convenient, prepared food CSA in less than a month that is perfect for those who want to eat healthy, but do not have as much time to cook. Like Think Little, Emily's prepared food CSA will be limited to a small number of households so let her know if you are ready to join.


For more information EMAIL EMILY

As we step back a little to find more balance for our family we've been blessed to share our opportunities with these two families.  By joining the Think Little or Farm Fresh CSA's you are not only making a commitment to your own health, but you are also supporting young families who are making a commitment to following their callings, putting in the hard work and changing their community.  In addition to their work at Hickory Lane Farm and launching their own CSA's both families are committed to their community and put countless hours into making sure everyone in our community has access to fresh food.  Your financial support ensures that they can continue following this dream.
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    Michelle Howell   

    Michelle is a wife,
    mother, farmer, writer and speaker passionately helping families overcome obstacles and find their best through healthier habits, better birth experiences and authentic connection within their present community.  She does this by speaking truth and shedding light on ways real people can work together to create change.

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    Could a few dollars be keeping you from local food?

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    Making of a farmwife

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    My wholehearted response to concerns about that mom

    Going above my raising

    Breastfeeding is a social justice issue

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