Paying it Forward

I never thought it would be so hard to pay it forward.

I’ve benefited from the help of many others over the years. Their kindness, wisdom, generosity, leadership and examples have helped me get to where I am today. In the next chapter of my life, if I’m so lucky as to receive it, I had hoped to be able to spread some good out to others. But an old saying that I absolutely despise, seems to really be rearing its ugly head.

 

No good deed goes unpunished.

 

I’ve always hated that saying because it seems to try to deter people from doing nice things for others. Most of the people I know don’t do good deeds with any hope of repayment or benefit. They do good things for others because they can, because they want to see another person succeed, or get relief, or smile or somehow just have an improved situation from that in which they were in.

 

But when you can’t do the good you want to, due to circumstances beyond your control, it’s a real frustration. It’s like watching that movie where you yell at the screen for the character to do something or not go in there – knowing full well, nothing you have said will make a difference.

I had hoped, and still do hope, that I can pass my farm along to someone who will continue its mission to feed people. With it being zoned commercial, it also means that it has real value to create various businesses that will generate monies way beyond just selling carrots. It’s what we had planned to do with Pioneer Grove before the Council decided to be a bunch of petty, power hungry, lying….

well, I will just leave it at that.

But it also means that the value keeps it out of reach for just a regular farmer. This old house’s bones and history are great and deserves to be restored. But it’s got to be someone who has access to deep pockets and the ability to develop. Trust me, it’s not my idea of a good time to live in a 100 year old farm house that lacks HVAC, needs upgrades and could certainly use new windows and insulation. It’s certainly not how I hoped to spend my “golden years”.

 

My development team is on standby for the right group that comes along and wants to do something that honors the land and the house. But this is my retirement account, and I can’t just let it go or I’ll be living in the camper of my truck. That is not the next chapter I’m planning for myself, either. 

 

Pioneer Grove was to be my pay forward. 38-40 first time home buyer sized homes in a safe, gated, walkable neighborhood connected to the land via the farm and artisanal businesses at the front.

We had it all planned out. Everyone won.

Now, no one is winning. The city still sits with a piece of land that is being farmed and not developed at all, 40 families have missed out on a cool opportunity as have numerous small businesses that could have sprung up. Not to mention, I am still here instead of retired and nearer family.

 

So, I keep searching for the right buyers. Fiscally sound. Environmentally minded. Generous hearts. Mission oriented.

 

In the meantime, I’m hoping to start sharing my experiences with new growers looking for space to learn the trade and give me a hand in the CSA gardens. I can do this a lot longer that way.

So, if you know of anyone serious about learning to grow, in a tunnel, out in the field, starting seeds en masse, understanding the soil and gaining experience on the ground – send them my way.

My knowledge, experience and any wisdom I may be able to share, can be a way I can pay something forward.

Helping prepare the next generation of growers, to feed me when I can’t grow myself anymore one day, will help the circle of life.

Just like a momma hen, teaches her chicks how to drink, hunt and peck for food, and take cover when a shadow covers the sun, I can help teach someone the skills I honed over the past 30+ years.

 

Today, 2 teachers picked up the bags of wool sheared fromthe rescue sheep I take care of here at Eden’s. I’ve looked for years for someone local to work the wool, make it into yarn hopefully. One of my newer CSA members happens to be a teacher at a local school that wants to teach some of the children there how to process the fiber. I’m beyond excited. Because it in its own way is a good deed I was able to do. The teachers will be doing the heavy lifting, sharing an age old skill to a new generation. But I smile with a grateful heart at the small part I’ve played in it.

Let’s knock that darn saying out.  Let’s not stop with the good deeds, no matter how hard others work against us trying to do them. Let’s just keep finding ways to pay things forward to one another.

Eat Your Food - Naturally!

 

Marie