the day job

I explained my call to farming this way to someone once: "I could never cut it in a 9-5 job, so I found myself a 5-9 job." Which is witty, but not entirely true. I have a day job - I am the produce manager at our local food co-op. It's a good gig and I doubt I could find one better. I like having a job that supports small farmers while giving me capital to get my venture running at full speed.

But oh I feel jealous of those who have no off farm job. Folks whose morning chores aren't done in a rush and whose oxen aren't trained in the dusk at 6pm, under the yard lights. At least shadows don't freak them out anymore. Those whose grazing plan making sessions aren't interrupted with phone calls from sales reps. I suppose there are the feelings of pride knowing that right now I'm farming and building a house and working during the day and keeping all my plates spinning nicely. And, of course, there is the ever sweet anticipation of the awesome day that I quit selling other people's bounty and stick to just selling my own.