The Reconciliation of Humanity and Earth

On July 19th, I (Joseph) gave a sermon at my church (The Mercy House). I am posting it here because it has a lot to do with farming, environmental care, and local culture. These are issues that readers of this blog may like to look deeper into and here with the link below i offer my teaching and perspective on such things. In it i draw from the bible, wendell berry, and the ethos of Anderson, IN in support of why reconciliation with the earth is so biblically important and also i develop a set of “land ethics” that deals with the mentality of a human towards the earth and creation and how it should be. The main point is that the earth belongs to God, not us.

http://media.themercyhouse.com/sermons/sermon_2009-07-19_Joe_Monroe.mp3

the first few minutes are bad quality but if you get through that, the majority of the sermon is in good quality.

A New Film on Modern Agriculture: Food Inc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0

(Opens July 31 at Keystone Arts Cinema in Indianapolis)

If you want an introduction to modern food eating and farming

or

If you have been into organic and local foods for awhile now

You must check this movie out. It is well worth your time, money, and drive. The information that this documentary conveys is already out there, but never put together so dramatically nor urgently. This film will make you rethink your diet and your lifestyle as it did mine.

This film emobodies why places like Taylor Family Farms and so many other dotted across the nation need to exist and thrive and be supported.

joseph

Encouraged

though weeds may be our central crop as of now… the emergence of summer favorites such as Eggplant, peppers, squash, cucumbers, green beans, and tomatoes are a great relief. and their ripening is the reminder needed for why we have endeavored to have this farm. It is also the spotting of tiny melons that tells us that there are even better times to come. we are not even half way through the growing season yet. a concept, usually hard to grasp, since gardening is mostly considered to be a summertime activity. School is starting soon for these farmers (another crazy notion) and there is still so much more farm work to be done. this is exciting, a little scary, and a bit encouraging, for at this moment i wish winter to stay a long way away.

Week IV

this is the 4th week of our CSA.

we are waiting for the squash and cucumbers to come in even stronger force. Also the green beans should be here by now but maybe that will next week. Tomatoes are are coming along with the peppers and tomatillos. And the corn is Knee High before the 4th of July. We need rain. it has been awhile. It is hard to water around 2 acres of produce and mother nature would make it so much easier right now.  hopefully we get what we need so that plant can bear the fruit the seed seems to promise.

While you are here take a look at an article just plublished about us today:

http://www.goinglocal-info.com/

Tribulations and a Turnip

So this week we have been so busy that we didn’t have much to keep up with the blog. Here goes folks.

1. First CSA distribution. We provided to 31 house holds. Most people came to the farm to pick up and we delivered some. So a lot of our shareholders got to take a glance at the farm.

2. We still need to fulfill 3 shares from that distribution early this week.

3. We are thinking of trading the Fishers market for another one closer by.

4. Dining Services for AU is looking hard to fulfill. We will need to have a heart to heart with the good people we made a contract with in order to reweigh options.

5. We (Ben and Joe) took a field trip to Apple Family Farm and Fields of Agape. Both were so great. We loved the people who worked these farms. Anna and Keith Welsh run Fields of Agape in Carthage. They grow alternative field crops. We are pretty set in wanting to sell their bulk grains at the farm store. They have been a real inspiration, a wealth of knowledge, and an all together encouragement and blessing to us. We want to stay very connected with what they are doing, because they are doing amazing things with so much heart and purpose behind it all. At Apple Farm we saw cows being milked and met Mark.

6. Our sun burns are evening out and becoming tans!

7. We have permanently stained heels and hands from the dirt. Which is fine by me, but not Abbie Scott (my lovely lady).

8. I am thinking about taking a plunge and buying a tractor plus attachments. If you know any deals, send em my way.

9. We have a turnip

10. Ben is getting a great deal on a knife!!!

Joseph Monroe Signing Off

Link to the Newspaper Article on Us

 

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_143191311.html

First CSA Pick Up/Delivery

The first CSA pickup for our shareholders is Next Wednesday June 10th

We will deliver, if you choose that option on Thursday

And for those who chose to pick up on Friday that will be happening as well

You can come Wed or Friday to pick up your produce on the farm from 4-7 pm @ 4462 E. 200 N.

Look forward to seeing you!

 

Jozev Monroe

Welcome to the Farm’s Blog

Whether you are a shareholder, customer, a friend, or family of the good old people who work the farm out past Highland High School in Anderson Indiana; we are glad you want to find more information out about it. This blog is your way to stay updated on what is going on the farm and with the farmers who grow your food. We want you to feel like you are a part of the farm, because you are. Without your support (in whatever way you give), you keep the farm running and you are probably one of the reasons the farm was able to be started. So thank you so much. Look forward to pictures, reflections, and news about the farm so you can feel like the insider you are.

Enjoy the outdoors,

Jozev Monroe: Farm Manager