Last Day at the CSA

So Friday marked my last day working with Herrcastle Farm (providers of several CSA & Farmer’s Market locations).

After spending at least 24 hours of my life just within the past two weeks picking blueberries, just when I thought I couldn’t pick another blueberry, it was also my last morning doing so.  Raspberries as well.

It was my last day hoeing around 1,000 sweet potato plants.

My last day picking snow peas while jamming out to the random shuffle on my ipod.

My last day endlessly weeding 1,000’s of tomato and pepper and melon holes.

My last day preparing and filling a bunch of paper bags with farm fresh produce to be delivered to eager CSA members.

The last time of baking my skin all day in the sun (sorry skin!), and filling my body head to toe with the day’s happy hour special:  dirt & sweat.

The last day of watching my back for the crazy neighbor that would come down and spy on me.  (Or just sit against his fence with binoculars.)

My last day being complimented by the mom and dad and picked on and joked around with by the son.

My last day of the summer continuously learning in the garden and watching the vivacious baby plants grow into adults right before my eyes.

There are a million lasts, good and bad, as my job with the farm comes to an end.  Along the ride, there were also a ton of memorable firsts and countless learning experiences.

Like my first time driving a tractor.  That was a laugh.  After knocking out a couple squash plants, I actually got the hang of it relatively quickly.

Or my first time preparing for a CSA and seeing how much work is actually involved with doing so.  After picking 80 pounds of cherries in the morning and peeling 275 onions in an afternoon among other produce preparation, you start to realize CSA’s take more effort than you originally thought.

My first time working at a farmer’s market, getting a behind the scenes view of what’s involved with actually running a produce stand.  Also my first time being asked, as a customer points to the onions, “How do you prepare these?”

My first time digging wood chips.  Eight hours later and a good night’s rest, oh was I feeling that the next morning.

My first time using rhubarb.  That was delightful.

My first time having a job that coincided as a grocery store.  I’m going to miss that one!

My first time working in a loving environment with a family who totally rocked.  It’s so rare, especially at my age, to find a job where the boss’s truly appreciate your efforts and remind you almost daily how glad they are to have you working for them.  I’ve been through a few jobs…I don’t think I ever fully felt comfortable in any of them, aside from this one.

I can’t believe almost two months have gone by already.  I have learned so much about gardening on a large scale and what it really takes to put food into the hands of others around us.  I can say I’ve truly gained an appreciation for what these guys at Herrcastle Farm are doing day after day as well as others just like them.  What a wonderful learning experience and unforgettable summer job.

The reason for my summer job ending halfway through summer, well, that will explained in my next post… I’ve been holding a little secret from my readers…definitely a good one though!