• Common Ground •

I don't try to do things differently. That is not a focus, goal, or even part of my thought process. I am very determined to craft the vision that I have projected into my future and because my resources are very limited I am as creative as I possibly can be about how I achieve this vision. I also am pragmatic enough to understand that the final version of my vision will be a differrent reality than what I see now. Honestly, I enjoy the reality, which is far richer in detail than my vision. I do however, at times, get distracted from accepting the reality versus the vision as well as striving always to refine the reality to more closely approach my vision. Kind of abstract so I'll give you a concrete example. My vision always included a wife and family. I didn't dream of specific number of children or certain type of wife. Here, 19 years after getting married I am living the reality of my family and along with the usual headaches of parenting am thoroughly enjoying the experience. It is different than what I imagined but certainly is the realization of my vision of family and I am living it.

Like a family grows and evolves I am seeing some very distinct similarities in our CSA. I am very much the 'birth mother' of the CSA. Now that the CSA is established and growing it is beginning to develop it's own unique personallity. Just as a child may in many ways resemble a parent or perhaps reflect the beliefs and values of that family group I am jealously parenting our CSA along because it is very vital to me that we share beliefs and values at least to a degree. Also, it is equally critical to me that the CSA express it's individuality much like a child growing up being given 'space'. I am thrilled to see the depth of interest and the degree of involvement of many members! WE have quite a way to go to fully develop a strong and sustainable group but I am convinced that we have finally (metaphorically speaking) gotten out of diapers and seemingly entered our teen years all in one.

I have studied and followed the evolution of several CSA's and once they chin the bar of time they seem to continue and thrive. Ten years seems to be a major milepost and we are more than half way there. Consistant with my acceptance of reality I am not imposing some artificial and arbitrary goal of time. For me making it through each year and meeting my commitment of growing food for people has been the goal. Along with the development of the CSA has been the realization of bounty with the crop rotation now in it's sixth year. I can see here what you may never see with the same perspective and that is that the farm is steadily improving it's productivity. I can also see some sparkles of brilliance in certain areas and crops and work to fully understand how that happened and to replicate it. The coevolution of our farm and our CSA is indeed the real value and strength of Community Supported Agriculture. The growth of both is organic in the most natural sense of the word. From where I am this is a real winner!!

Marcia suggested that we have an 'Invite a friend day' this season to share this opportunty with friends. Denise and others who were away or couldn't pick up their share offered it to friends. I would reallly appreciate it if you would consider a CSA-wide invite a friend day to share with others what we have been enjoying and to open the door to them into our food community.

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