Giving Thanks

I’ll admit to being a little jaded when it comes to most of the “big” holidays (which I view as repulsive marketing gimmicks), but Thanksgiving is one of the big ones  I can appreciate – even though we don’t partake of turkey or football.

I think farmers can relate a little easier to those first pilgrims who endured tremendous hardship, cold, and misery that first winter in the “New World.”  They persevered because they believed in their cause.  We organic farmers also believe in our cause, and are willing to endure the accompanying hardships – albeit our hardships are not on the Plymouth scale.

But, there’s something very sweet about trials endured and obstacles overcome!  It makes the giving of thanks more heartfelt.  The “light at the end of the tunnel” looks brighter the longer and darker the tunnel was.  So, like the Pilgrims of old, we pause to give sincere thanks for the winters past and the harvests garnered.

Some of the many things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving:

• Parents who have shared their “retirement farm” (is that an oxymoron?) with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  This is a little piece of heaven on earth!
• A wife and children who have entered into the dream (and WORK!) of organic farming.  This is truly a family farm!
• A brother (Edwin) and family who have “put their hand to the plow” and joined us in this adventure called “farming”.  They have really lightened our load!
• A community who has wholeheartedly embraced the local, organic food movement (I spent a lot of time in the early years explaining what “organic” meant – but no more!)
• Loyal customers like you who not only support us with your hard-earned money, but just as importantly, with your words and acts of encouragement.
• A great year of growing!  Yes, it was a HOT summer, and we have had our share of disappointments, but overall, we are excited about how things have gone!
• And most of all, a God who has given me the “desires of my heart”, and who has been by our side through the “lean years” – teaching us invaluable lessons through the trials.

Truly we are bountifully blessed!  Thank you for being a part of our blessings!

John Dysinger

(for the whole farm family)