sarah and jon swanson

Sarah and Jon Swanson are farming on Jon's grandfather Sonny Swanson's farm in Leelanau County. Remember the Little Yellow Farm Stand on M-22 south of Leland near Sugar Loaf anyone? It is our first year farming.

After reading Deep Economy by Bill McKibben we discovered a movement that we could participate in, the Local Food Revolution. It's so exciting because on every level, from putting seeds in the ground, to making that purchase at the farmers market, joining a CSA, or advocating for local food at your grocery store, we are all vital and can do each of those with equal enthusiasm and meaning. Simple things really, no marches on Washington or complex legislation in the hands of politicians, just us, being involved in our food system.

We spent winter 2008 with MLUI's Julie Hayes at the Get Farming classes, learning how to make the dream of opening the stand and carrying on Sonny's tradition of raising farm fresh vegetables a reality. Jon revived the old tractor and irrigation pump and I sowed and weeded and, like some kind of miracle, it worked. We grew vegetables.

Not like we didn't have our share of challenges. We set out with high standards and organic intentions. But our acre of pumpkins began to flounder around mid July after a vine borer attack and the appearance of powdery mildew (not to mention the squash bugs), and they suffered from our neglectful decision in the spring not to add manure to the totally spent soil, so we fertilized. Other than that we used organic practices with our edible crops.

This season flew by like a blur, my farm journal really tells the story. Detailed entries in May and June, then not a word from July on... Part-time detective, laborer, mechanic, insect picker, not to mention running a bike tour company and oh yeah, jobs, we were stretched thin. Growing food and no time to eat it. The extent of food preparation was to brush the dirt off. We ate three cucumbers and a handful of green beans for dinner one night in the dark. We don't live on the farm either. So there is no kitchen to make dinner in or bed to fall into. We made the drive out to the farm almost daily, our carbon footprint and fuel consumption canceling our environmental contributions.

But like all parents say about their children, it is hard work but it's worth it. You can find us on Saturday's at the farmers market downtown in Traverse City (we're still waiting to open the stand) with our heirloom pumpkins and jack o lanterns, pie pumpkins and decorating and recipe ideas for them all. We also have fresh herbs, tomatoes, cabbages, brussels sprouts, and peppers.

We are in a holding pattern with our farming future due to some property issues and estate planning matters with the family so we have to wait and see until that all becomes final before we can move forward with plans for 2009. Our dream is to live at the farm and open the stand, have some CSA members, and eventually have some cooking classes at the farm. Our plans for the winter? Chase the sun, go to New Zealand to work on organic farms with livestock, learn to surf, and actually ride our bikes.

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