Farm-cation

For the past week I've been on vacation, since the farm is closed for two weeks over the holidays.  I've spent most of my break so far up in Seattle, with family and old friends.  Amidst the busy holiday schedule I snuck away to my favorite Seattle food spot, Aladdin Falafel Corner, located on the 'Ave', the street I spent many hours wandering as a high school student.  Aladdin is one of the few businesses left from those days in the late 90's, and anyone who has tried their falafel knows why.  For those of you unfamiliar with falafel, it is a food of Middle Eastern origin made of ground chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and various spices that are formed into a ball and deep fried until the outside becomes deliciously crispy.  The falafel then gets wrapped in a pita along with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, tahini sauce, red onion and at Aladdin, a dusting of red sumac powder.  One can find Aladdin falafel at two outlets, the Aladdin Gyro-cery and the Aladdin Falafel Corner, both located on the 'the ave'.  I am more partial to the Falafel Corner, though admittedly the Gyro-cery provides more ambiance for a falafel eating experience

Aladdin Falafel Corner, University Way, Seattle WA

Being on vacation has been a good opportunity to sleep in and slow down.  The fall was a busy time for me.  Adjusting to a new job takes a lot of energy, and in addition to the hours I spent at Pleasant Grove Farms, I was also participating in the local offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street Movement in Sacramento.  The #OWS movement struck a chord with me because I've seen wealth inequality and the influence of money in politics as major issues in our society for a long time.  The Occupy movement first appeared as something different from the usual way of left-wing politics, and initially attracted friends of mine who were not full-time activists.  For me it felt really good to spend a sunny October afternoon at the occupation, holding a sign on the corner or commiserating with other working people about the problems in our country.  As time went on my commitment to the Occupy Movement began to wane and I began to question the tactics.  I am not interested in writing political analysis here so instead I am including the link to this article by Marc Cooper: http://marccooper.com/occupy-what/, which articulates many of my own views.  I really support what the Occupy movement is trying to do, but the reality is that I find it very difficult to participate while I work in agriculture, attempt to have some semblance of a social life and pursue educational goals not related to occupy or work.  The reality is that in 2012 occupy will not be at the top of my priorities list. 

Before I left for Seattle, I received an assurance for continued employment at Pleasant Grove Farms in the new year. Despite the ups and downs of my first four months there, I realize that I have a very unique thing and a very good thing going for me there.  It is rare to find a farm that grows staple crops like rice, beans, corn and wheat that is so close to a city, and I really appreciate being a part of both rural and urban life.  For someone with a back injury, it is great to be able to farm without having to shovel, harvest or weed all day.  As someone who always had an aversion to an office job, I don't really mind spending the off season inside, because I know that during the growing season I will be outside most of the time.  Farming is more of a commitment than a regular 9-5 job, especially during rice irrigation season, but it is one I am willing to make at least for the coming year.  In am also continuing my study of accounting, because if I decide that after a year or two working on 3,000 acres in South Sutter County is not the thing for me, I want something to fall back on besides working in retail or education.

In these times of economic stagnation, unpredictable weather and social upheaval, I am thankful to begin the new year with a comfortable place to call home and steady employment that pays the bills and is meaningful.  Farming is challenging work, and is not well compensated, but it is something I am interested in doing for the long term, and so there is much learning to be done.  I wish all of you readers a Happy New Year and may 2012 bring you good health and fulfillment.