Looking back over 2010 and forward to 2011

Wow, has a year really gone by again? How quickly time passes.

As I sit and ponder what 2010 brought us, its staggering. At this moment I am typing this blog post with a little man in my arms that did not exist in the world before 2010. Amidst all the good and the bad, life goes on. Two constants in our world are birth and death, the circle of life. We each have a few moments when we are in charge of a piece of the earth and the earth's future. We hold the keys to the future for a moment. That in itself is an amazing thought!

2010 was a great year for Little Sprouts. During this year we put in place all of our existing breeding stock through choosing breeds and breeders, building facilities, and learning how to accommodate these animals. Jacob sheep, Narragansett turkeys, Red Wattle pigs, and a variety of heritage chickens. This year also marked the birth of this blog, and the installation of the first southern Oregon farm webcam. Both of these giving voice and openness to the sustainable movement. Little Sprouts finally got a real logo and identity. The orchard was built and planted, including several types of trees and blueberries. The greenhouse was purchased and built (can't wait to plant!). And most importantly, we learned... and learned.. and learned. The year 2010 come to a close with the sale of the first Little Sprouts produced pork, our first ever actual retail product.

I must admit, during the year there were plenty of moments of doubt. Can a computer geek who hasn't seen a farm since he was 6 actually learn all that is required to run one? The jury is still out on that one, but it is encouraging to look back over what we have done and where we are. The reports coming back from the pork and turkey we have sold or given out are glowing and serve as a testament to the farm's success. Of course I understand that profitability has to be part of the equation, but at least we have reached the point of satisfied customers!

I want to spend a moment here thanking all the people that have supported us in our mission, especially all the customers who have bought products. The farmer is NOT the most important part of the puzzle, it's the customer. You, Mr. customer, are the one making this happen. A farmer such as myself just stewards nature and follows divine inspiration, nurturing nature to produce. We as farmers don't make anything happen, we only facilitate what nature already does. We are stewards of the earth and life. The people that trust and consume the goods produced, you are the ones that drive things forward, determine the fate of the next generation.  Its not production that pushes a society forward, it's consumption... the choices made at buying time. I applaud each and every person that is buying food from a local farmer anywhere in the world. You are the reason things will change for the better.  You should be proud of your decision to help make the world a better place for your grandchildren. There are literally people that will live instead of die because of your buying decisions.

2010 was indeed a great year for Little Sprouts.

2011? Well, one very important change has taken place during the last week of 2010 that will affect 2011 greatly. Our family has decided that it is time to put our faith into what we are doing and God's grace and guidance. For the last 3 years I have been full time employed off farm. This of course steals time, energy, and focus from the future of the farm. It limits how fast we can move and how far we can move. So, at the end of 2010 I quit my day job, trading it for a part time  position. That of course cuts our family income dramatically but it allows us to devote at least half of our time to farming operations. The plan is to move to full time farming within the next 2 to 4 years.

Why would we make such a decision? Why would we cut our income in half voluntarily?  Because we believe in what we are doing at Little Sprouts. We will probably never again make the cash that the corporate life in the computer industry can provide, its not realistic to believe that a small family farm could ever make that salary. But, there are things more important in life than cash. This mission, to create good wholesome safe healthy food is the most important mission I have ever embarked on. The end of 2010 marks the time for us to personally choose to be committed to this goal or not. We have chosen to be committed, sink or swim. There are no regrets giving up a rather nice salary and future in the business world to spend the rest of life raising animals, driving tractors, solving the nations food production problems, helping our neighbors eat well and be healthy, raise our children and healing our land. What greater life could there be?

So, 2011 is a very important year for Little Sprouts and our family. We learn to actually live off the farm income, for better or worse. We learn to follow the gentle guidance of our heavenly Father as he guides us down this path. We learn to enjoy what is truly enjoyable in life. And... we get to see this great plan of returning to local family farms to heal our people, our land, and our nation.

Yes, 2011 will be a big year. a big year indeed.