Early July is when the later fledglings fledge: Cowbirds, waxwings, phoebe’s and yes, Bluebirds! The early morning light – real early now – brings a cacophony of bird rustlings. There are worse sounds to wake to, although I admit the western chats have not only been numerous this spring, but extra chatty! Maybe too chatty at 4 AM for some, including me. That said, once I am up and have a cup in hand and sitting on the south porch, I am never sad because then I can observe the wild-world outside for real. A front-row seat so to speak, and one that never disappoints.
Then I get to leave earlier for the Farm. If we have an irrigation cycle going I make sure that pivots are running as well as move hand lines to a new set. “Changing pipe” is a ritual for all who have farmed in the arid West these past 50 years or more. Forty foot, 3” sections of pipe, walked across the field 60 feet at a time to the next riser (pipe hook up) can either be dreaded, or embraced. Since it usually comes in early dawn, or in the evening, or both, this contemplative activity/ strength training – is an easy one for me to like. Most of the time. And although the field at Bluebird is mostly irrigated by center pivot, the north end is done with old style irrigation pipe. By me.
When we first began Bluebird over 20 years ago, I moved 80 acres worth of irrigation hand line twice daily. This process gives one a real chance to study their soils, as well as the wildlife surrounding them. Organic farming enhances some wildlife activity through the simple fact that we are not using any poisons. I love to see the variety of insects, and beneficials once an organic crop gets grooving. Of course, “lady bugs” are high on that list, and I often see several amongst the grain and cover crops we rotate. And birds!
We will be shutting off our irrigation systems by mid – July, as grains will be filled and cover crops turned in. Thus, as water tables drop and thirstier crops (alfalfa) get more thirsty, Bluebird will not be using any water. This was one reason many years ago I decided to grow more and more grains; they are easier on the resources in many ways. And more direct food supply.
Since many of us have a big anniversary this month – 250th I believe – it feels good to have a truly independent, small mill. The daily challenges of being small and independent never go away, yet the pleasures of being able to make internal decisions, and pivot when needed to meet customer inquiries or full-fill longer term accounts go well beyond these bumps. Most of our customers buy from Bluebird because of the high quality products we have. The quality control we have as a small, independent mill is front and center and very real each day. Our crew does a great job of maintaining the high bar for customer service and product quality. Thanks, folks!
Having grown up on a 7th generation farm in New England, Independence was not foreign! Uncle Fred – dressed as a Paul Revere type – led the town parade by driving his 4 horse team with the parade’s first float, “Spirit of 76’, 50 years ago. I remember it well as a lad of 11. I remember even better all the candy that was flung off of various floats as the ¼ mile long procession traveled down mainstreet. Those were exciting times on many fronts; the dignity of all the “patriots” even then was unifying.
Unification was an absolute when it came to fighting successfully for our country’s independence. What was the reward for gaining this Independence?? For one, we got to spend the next 250 years defending it! Not only from other nations, but from within our own country. Our history is a messy one, as are most. Democracy is a messy, inexact process that ebbs and flows like most every other process. Democracies seldom last long; they’re too complicated. And the bigger the land-mass the harder it is to keep unification. Iceland has roots of democracy that go back 1000 years, however they did not gain their full “Independence” until after WWII. So, as sloppy as things seem in the ole’ USA, let’s take stock in the fact that we have outlasted every other democracy and have our “Independence” much longer than most.
Of course, there are various tiers of independence, and it is always in question as to just who is and isn’t independent and various systems are tied to one another and so forth. The words messy, biased, uneven etc. all play their parts within. Still, I can think of no other country that continues to offer more opportunity. Opportunity itself, is not a given. Opportunities take work to act upon the same as true independence. At least we have the freedom to choose.
Our democracy may be particularly fuzzy right now; the list of improvements to be made is long and broken health and food systems are near the top. We’ve been here before and prevailed. So I encourage all you readers to enjoy our 250th and celebrate this 4th as we should. Then, let’s get to work finding the good soil that will benefit us all. It’s somewhere out there in that fertile middle ground.
Yours,
Farmer Sam