Category: Life

Living a Zoo of a Life

I have been realizing more and more that life is more like a zoo than a calm flowing of one event to another.  It may be because I’m pregnant, it may be because it’s spring time and I’m a farmer, and it may be because I tend to lean towards the “always busy” side of life.  But no matter what the more life I get under my belt the more I realize that life does fly by and usually it’s true that it happens whether you’re having fun or not!

Although I have to say that right now at this point of my life, it’s all good stuff, so for me I can’t complain.  I have these lurking sort of panther moments where I just know I’m forgetting something, all while praying it comes to be before it’s too late, before the stalking ends and I’m the fresh kill for the day.

423892_872007088749_1339744581_n

Then there are monkey moments when you get to be goofy, when you get to laugh, even if it’s just to keep yourself from losing it!  And the all too familiar elephant in the room (no not my belly thank you haha!) but the weather that seems to always want to change it’s mind and therefore change your plans on a moment to moment basis, especially in the spring time.

429372_872009928059_1222448328_n

Then there the giraffe moments, when you can look around from a higher perspective and know that everything is just going to be ok.  If you just be calm and realize that even when you’re fighting horns to horns, if it isn’t alright, then clearly it isn’t the end.

422725_872006983959_1309592035_n

So today as I get my blog out hours later than planned, because I’ve already met with a painter, picked up chemicals, checked on a crew, looked at a few fields, tracked down a cell phone, and helped load a buggy; I can’t help but take a deep breath and remind myself that once again this is all good stuff.  I think I”ll probably need a lot of reminding of that when our lives take a drastic turn here in a month with a new infant.  The common question of “what are you going to do?” keeps running through my mind.  So far the fake smile and “well we’ll just have to see” have been working, but the impending lion of reality is catching right up with every onsie I wash and soft blanket I fold into the crib.

I doubt this great zoo of my life will ever get any less crazy, probably just new animals to drive me nuts or make me laugh along the way.

 Sidenote: This post was inspired by a campaign from Dropcam to tell the stories about zoos in your life, might be a real zoo, might be an emotional zoo, or even just a wild experience!  If you’re interested in adding your story e-mail Tiffany at tpham@dropcam.com for more information.

**All photos are from a safari in Kenya in 2012.

 

2013, Whirlwind of Year

This past year has been busy to say the least.  I keep thinking (and hearing from other people) that you don’t have to get all your growing up done all in one year, but that seems to be what I’m accomplishing at this rate!  So as 2013 comes to a close and I raise a glass of sparkling cider at 9pm (east coast New Year’s since I’m asleep by 9 every night…thank you baby in my tummy) I have a lot, and I mean a lot to be thankful for!

The year started out with a big thanks for all the support I received for being chosen as a finalist in the US Farmer & Rancher Alliance’s “Face of Farming & Ranching.”  While I was sad to not get such a wonderful opportunity, I have seen what these four faces have done the past year and I couldn’t be more amazed at the hard work and dedication they have put in to make agriculture closer the fore front of people’s mind.

I also spent a fair amount of time at the Oregon Capital in Salem.  I testified on a number of bills to help our farmers in my local area and statewide.  Although we didn’t win all the battles, we did get some great legislation passed for Oregon Farmers. Just a few of these topics dealt with GMO production; how our state will handle this in the future and why we need to work together as farmers instead of against each other; and a land use issue about a new bypass that would devastate acres and acres of farmland that my neighbors have been farming for generations.

I received an award from DTN, Progressive Farmer & John Deere for being one of the America’s Top Young Farmers & Ranchers!  Which included an awesome trip back to Chicago to meet with other farmers from across the country.

1457610_10202747228431528_1222457964_n

And on a more personal note I was lucky enough to marry the man of my dreams in June of this past year, and also share the news that we are also expecting our first little farmer kiddo in May 2014! (Yes, for those you doing math…it works!)

Wedding

So I just have to say, that yes, farming is tough, brutal at times, stressful just about always, and at times soul testing; but for me I feel like I’m right where I need to be.   Just chugging along into another year of challenges, another year of testifying for farmer’s rights to keep farming, another year of spreading the news of what we’re up to at Kirsch Family Farms, and another year of many more adventures yet to to be seen!  I hope everyone has a wonderful start to what I just know is going to be another great year!

Ah Turning 30…

Today is my birthday, the big 3-0 is finally here.  I am one of those people who loves their birthday, I love getting older.  Which sounds weird maybe, and maybe this will change, but as an old soul I’m still convinced that I will finally feel like I’m comfortable in my skin when I’m 82.  So every year is just one more year of adventure and excitement.

And what a year it’s been.  I can’t tell you how blessed I feel to have had the year that I’ve had!  Getting married, new house, new little farm worker (baby haha) that is yet to come join us…it’s just a big overwhelming in such a wonderful way.

My favorite story about this day is the one that my parents always tell.  My mom was due on the 20th of October with me.  This time of the year in 1983 my dad was out busy planting wheat fields like crazy.  He had his two way radio on his hip (no cell phones then) just in case my mom called to say, “It’s time.”  My uncle who my dad was farming with at the time knew, that if my dad went racing out of the field, my mom was in labor and he was gone.

Well the 20th came and went, along with the 21st, 22nd, and so on and so forth.  Then the 27th of October came and went, meanwhile they had finally finished up all the wheat planting.  So that morning on the 28th, when all the guys from the farm were gathered around talking about how good it was to get all the crop planted, dad finally got the call.  Mom and dad both say that they knew I was going to be the farmer in the family, since even as a baby I knew I had to be patient and wait until the crop was all planted.

And when I finally did come out I was no small potato, all 10lbs and 12oz of me…possibly a good spot for a “corn fed” type of comment here haha.  Anyhow here’s to another great year ahead, another year closer to that magical age of 82 and as my grandma Arlene says, “Enjoying all that in between time in life, it’s what really matters anyways!”