Even though we’ve been getting veggies from the CSA for a few weeks now, today was my first working shift. It was also my first interaction with Sister Rita this year. One of the things I think Sister Rita does really well is making us workers feel as though we were an integral part of the farm. Whenever I report for my working shift, as we walk or drive to where I’ll be working, she fills me in on how the crops are growing, what’s being done in various parts of the farm, plans for the future, etc. It would be just as easy to hand me a hoe and tell me to go work on the weeds, but she lets me in on the big picture. I appreciate that.

This week’s big picture is that we NEED RAIN. I thought my perception that the veg baskets have been a little light was just my warped view of things. Turns out it isn’t. The lack of rain in Seneca County is really hitting us hard. Thus, I spent my morning pounding stakes into the ground to support the tomatoes (the one crop doing well), and spreading decaying leaves around the green onions so that when they run the drip lines the moisture will have a chance of staying on the plants rather than evaporating.

As for the rain, I’ve been saying that we haven’t had rain in a month. Turns out that’s a slight exaggeration, but only a slight one. According to Weather Underground, Seneca County had 1.25 inches of rain during the entire month of May; our average rainfall for May is 3.76. So that’s a shortage of 2.51 inches. Thus far in June, we’ve had .13 inches of rain when we would normally have 2.00 inches. So, for May and June, we’re running 4.38 inches below average rainfall.

The trouble is, of course, that it does no good to make up all that shortage in a few brief rains. A big storm is not the solution. We need some good steady rains that spread out their moisture. And so, we find ourselves doing what farmers have done since Adam: praying for rain.

From the Book of Common Prayer:

O God, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek thy kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us, we entreat thee, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to thy honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today was my last shift at the CSA. Like last year, my last shift ended up with me weeding the flower beds around the veggie stand. I did get to harvest some potatoes, whites and yukon golds.

Take-home basket had tomatoes for the first time. Sister Rita said they wouldn’t last due to the rains in May and June. We also got some hot peppers, lettuce, and, more beets. At home, I tossed some carrots, squash, and corn on the grill along with a nice steak. Good eats.

Yesterday morning, I spent three hours working in our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) garden.  It was my fourth of five sessions this season.  Unlike the previous three, this time I was working with a good-sized group.  We spent the first hour pulling onions, which was kind of fun; it was the first time I’d been able to do any harvesting, and there was a nice satisfaction to being a part of the last step in the process.  Like cooking, the harvesting/eating took far less time and energy than did the preparation of the food.  There’s something to that, but I don’t know what.

After pulling onions, we weeded an asparagus patch.  I’ve spent most of my CSA work time weeding, which can be expected on a totally organic garden, but I won’t here get into all of my thoughts on the metaphoric depths of Jesus’s parable of the sower; that’s for another post.  It was interesting though to be putting this much time and effort into plants that won’t produce usuable produce for possibly two more years.  It’s a wonder the price of asparagus isn’t higher than it is.

While we were weeding, one of my co-workers commented that there was now way he could see American teenagers doing this kind of work for $3-$4 an hour.  It’s hot.  You’re always bent over.  Your hands get pricked by thistles.  And it takes attention to detail, especially with a delicate plant like asparagus.  While fast food is hard work, it’s nothing like this.  So why, he wondered, is everyone worried about undocumented workers who will do the work no one else will?   Except, of course, we adults who were paying to do this kind of work.  Irony, thy name is America.

After the weeding, we helped Sister Rita package up the last of the week’s veg for the CSA members and got to take our baskets home.  For me, that meant a trip over to the Bells, with whom we split a share.  That’s always a nice visit.  Mathilda gave me a recipe for quick frozen yogurt that Sherry may appreciate.

Veg for the week:

• cabbage
• summer squash
• onion
• green beans
• beets
• carrots
• EGGS