Spring Training

This week a friend of mine is in Florida for Spring Training watching his favorite ball players get ready for a brutal 26 weeks season. Over the course of six months his beloved Orioles will play at least 162 games, more if they’re on fire.

No one can argue, the boys of summer keep a respectable schedule. But they have nothing on us farmers.

Here at Dug In we’re in our own spring training. It’s not nearly as sexy as flying to the tropics to stretch, hit and run. Instead, our training regimen is all about toughening up, farm style.

Last weekend the farm market opened as normal. Thursday at 8 a.m. found us set up, ready to sell. The market ran 40 hours in 4 days. The temperature never moved much above 40.

We practiced huddling around a propane heater. We stood on flattened cardboard boxes to get off the cold concrete. We stretched, jogged in place and compared the layers of clothes we wore.

It was a luxury to escape the market and harvest spinach and kale. The really lucky ones took turns working in the high tunnel. Anything to move and keep warm.

On a particularly bitter morning our little team huddled in a SUV, turned on all the seat warmers and held an impromptu staff meeting. There was a lot of talk about summer.

At the end of each day, we shared texts regaling which drink got our blood pumping again. We compared the lengths and temperatures of hot showers. We devised new strategies for the next day and showed up to market with tissues, hand warmers, thick soled boots.

Spring is coming. The calendar tells us so. And when it does, we will be ready. Ready for a 10 month season. 42 weeks. 168 openings and closings. More if we’re on fire!

We can't wait to see YOU this spring and, as always, thanks for stopping by!

Carolyn

#FarmLife