I have the privilege of with working with people that have a passion for life.
Maureena, Suzy, Steven, Veronica, Eva,Todd, Rachelle, Grandma, Liz, Carl, Stephanie, Stephanie,
Erin, Derek, Sean, Patrick, Rand and All past people who have contributed to Lanes End Farm.
It has been said that if you want to be better surround yourself with good people.
I’m a better person.
I’ve learned throughout my 56 years the two best attributes a person can have are humility and empathy.
Being humble allows us to take notice of the miracles that happen daily.
A seed sprouting, swallows that travel 3000 miles to take residence in our barn, a young red tail hawk or bald eagle being chased by birds only a fraction the size of these large predators (strength in numbers), the trees that grow because we’ve made a choice not to mow, providing habitat for more birds and beneficial insects.
The list goes on.
Which brings me to what I notice all around me.
FARMS?
All around Lanes End Farm are vast fields of corn and soybeans. An ocean of green. Only two plants allowed to flourish. Corn and soybeans.
Are these FARMS or is industry? When I grew up in this area family farms were the norm. Most had cows for milk and beef. Smaller well cared for herds. Chickens roamed freely in yards. Field borders that cultivated wheat,hay,corn, soybeans and pasture for animals graze,gardens that fed the family through the winter were left alone to naturalize creating wind breaks and filters for runoff to nearby creeks and water ways.
There was respect for the land.
These were small self sustaining farms that provided income and a way of life that has all but disappeared.
These were small diverse farms that fed families for generations.
Now it’s just Corn and Soybeans,Corn and Soybeans,Corn and Soybeans,Corn and Soybeans,Corn and Soybeans.
Cows for milk and meat are raised in confinement owned by large corporations with little respect for the land. Profit driven.
Large vegetable farms are contaminated with bad bacteria getting people sick or worse. The latest outbreak of E. coli in romaine lettuce was the product of runoff from an upstream large cattle factory. The E. coli was systemic in the plant. No amount of washing would have removed this deadly bacteria.
Trees lining this waterway could have easily prevented this outbreak.
Unfortunately trees are removed to provide more area for production. Profit driven.
I’ve come to the point now where I despise corn. The plant that once fed whole civilizations for centuries has now become a commodity to feed large cattle and pork feed lots.
In my cynicism I’ve come to the conclusion that the individuals or corporations that grow corn and soybeans are NOT farmers anymore but just Tractor Drivers.
At Lanes End Farm biodiversity is the key to our not having to use ANY pesticides,herbicides,fungicides or ANY chemical organic or not.
We let areas be Wild. Providing habitat for birds and insects.
Our soils only receive compost and cover crops. We purchase very little organic fertilizer. Fish and seaweed based.
We compost leaves, grass, kitchen scraps, animal manures. All supposedly waste products.
This method of farming requires constant attention but provides great satisfaction. It’s not about me. It’s about the whole world that surrounds us all.
It’s about SAVING THE WORLD.
We must reacquaint ourselves with our natural world. Reestablish our respect for the natural wonders that happen constantly and consistently everyday while nourishing our bodies.
I want to thank you for letting me rant on this subject and for your support.
From my perspective you are not merely a customer, you now one of the SAVIORS OF THE WORLD.
THANK YOU.
A baby monarch caterpillar consuming a milkweed flower. We would not see this if we pulled it out.
Lanes End Farm 