I have learned a great amount of respect for people who labor for what they bring to the table every day. It is easy to go to the store and buy something that I may eat or may throw away, but to toil away in the dirt and bring something out of the ground while trying to put back something that will help this process continue for as long as there is someone to continue the cycle.

I am getting ready to end what has been an amazing experience and a great summer; and really, in many ways, everything about coming here has been surprising. I will leave with pride in knowing that what I did will help to feed the people in this small community of mixed ideas and views. I have been surprised at how welcome the people here at the Farm and in the town of Redwood have been. All summer long we have been guided by the experience of others who want to see this succeed. Their experience has been helpful to ours, and what we have learned from them as well as on our own will someday be passed on to others who want to try and make things Better.

Originally posted at Joe's Blog.

The Redwood Farmers Market starts in mid-July every year and runs until all the produce is gone from the fields and greenhouses (usually late September). We couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet and greet with some locals, bake a few pies, and make several bouquets of wildflowers. Here are Staciemae and Josh readying some bundles the night before:

For the second week of this year's market, we had some special guests up from Manhattan; Alana and Pablo. They came out bright and early Saturday morning to help out.

Josh took it upon himself to study some parlor tricks, then set up a magic tricks booth. He stayed in the box for most of the morning in spite of the 85+ degree heat.