Columnist moves to farming full-time

I watched my first baby calf being born to a heifer yesterday. In my nervousness, I took inventory of everything I had been taught then called my partner, my extension agent, and a good friend to provide me with guidance. “Keep an eye on her” they all told me. They each offered other insight and reassur-ance. I’m lucky to have a network of support as it’s invaluable to all farmers and ranchers.

This is the last article I will be writing for this column. I am leaving my position of the past five years as the agriculture program manager for Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD).

This experience has been exhilarating. I have had the honor of connecting with hundreds, if not thou-sands, of aspiring and experienced farmers who have taught me as much as I hope I have shared with them. I am inspired by all the hard work and determination of farmers, consumers and service providers I have met. I’m equally encouraged by the good work ASD continues to do and expand in our region. Although I am leaving my position with ASD, I will still be a player in the community food system. Be-ginning 2018 I will be focusing my attention on my farm in Meadowview, Virginia.

My work with ASD has been to support direct market farmers as they pursue their dreams of managing successful small farms. I have stories of young people affecting positive change, of retired people doing good in the world, and experienced farmers keeping their farms in the family and profitable production. It is an honor to be trusted by these people who have shared their farm plans with me so that I might provide them with guidance, resources and support.

I’m grateful to a huge network/family who have supported my work at ASD by participating in work-shops, events and gatherings. The devoted farmers and consumers who seek to build the local food economy are also champions. The various service providers like the Agricultural Extension, Farm Ser-vice Agency and NRCS, Farm Bureau, Farm Credit and many others are foundational to keeping farming alive as a viable living. I’m indebted to these partnerships and the good work of all these people.

ASD has provided me the avenue to make all these connections. ASDs mission is to transition Appala-chia to a more resilient economy and a healthier population by supporting local agriculture, exploring new economic opportunities and connecting people to healthy food. ASD has programs for backyard gardeners, direct market growers, large scale vegetable growers, limited mobility citizens who want to grow their own food, food pantry consumers, and others. They build many aspects of a localized food economy.

As I move more deeply into being a bonafide farmer, I plan to continue to making meaningful con-nections with people building farm businesses, buying farm goods and providing crucial support to farmers. You can find me at TNT Farm N Greenhouse, farmers markets and restaurants close to home. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with all you amazing people.