My Farm Reflection, by Sam [with photos]
Editor’s Note
This summer, Sam, a member of our private buying club, volunteered and spent a few days at the Allgyer’s farm in Indiana, PA. Here, she recounts of her experience on the farm. We feel blessed that Sam wrote about her experience for us all to read.
Scroll to the end for more photos, which Sam so kindly captured!
I s’ppose the significance of this reflection might very well get lost on anyone who doesn’t know me, know what I look like, where I come from, or how so far I’ve lived. So before I tell you what it was like working on one of Prairie Foods farms, I’ll first tell you who I am. I was born to immigrant parents originating out of Jamaica. Given my ancestral roots, you might not actually be too surprised at my seemingly random, yet forward proposal to Prairie Foods to volunteer myself for work. Yet, there was shock from everyone who knew me — my parents included.
Shock was not the only emotion; there was also excitement, curiosity, and pride. Though my father grew up along the countryside of the island amongst free-roaming dogs, cats, goats, and chickens; I certainly did not. Raised only by my mother and nestled comfortably in the Delaware suburbs, my upbringing was a far cry from the quiet, family-centered, work-laden life of the Amish. I differ greatly from Dan and his wife Lydia; and yet I was welcomed by both with a marvelous level of warmth and generosity.
Now, how did I find myself nearly 300 miles away from my home on the Allgyer family farm? The answer: Raw milk.
I’m soon to be 29 years old and never had the privilege of considering myself particularly strong and healthy. I’d done alright growing up but frequently found myself either passing out after a quick burst of energy expenditure or after simply standing awhile in the heat. I’d catch colds easily and started frequent headaches accommodated by nausea if I’d not eaten for too long. By high school, I was coming home for extra long naps and tv dinners when my mother worked late. Not only was I always munching on things supported by the Standard American Diet, but I was also long, lanky, and not well coordinated; meaning that moving my body through competitive sport was not on my daily to-do list. By 19, I’d decided enough was enough and started on what has now been a 9 year journey to manifest my most healthy self.
Nutrition is where my story with Prairie Foods begins. I stumbled upon them while I was on the search for foods not easily found at my local grocery stores. Through Prairie Foods; I was able to increase my access to Raw A2 Milk and butter, Pastured chicken and turkey, and so much more than I’d even imagined, like; raw cheeses and grass-fed and finished ground beef with organs. Increasing my consumption of nutrientdense, non-processed or at least minimally processed foods and decreasing my exposure to things like highly processed seed oils, excess sugar, pesticides, herbicides, micro-plastics, and other substances that might prove harmful to human health has become an incredibly meaningful goal for me.
When I reached out to Ruth (Prairie Foods admin), I’d meant only to offer my honest feedback after trying their products. Simultaneously, I was dealing with my own looming sense of career-related stuck-ness. For months — if not years — I’d been wanting to explore another side of life. I thought perhaps farm-living; or anything other than what I’d done for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. I’d let Ruth know that I typically have summers off and wanted nothing more than to volunteer my time if the farm ever needed a second hand. I’d said this never even believing myself that I’d get the response back that I did. Through God’s will, farmer Dan was both responsive and immediately open to my query. And so, what was at one moment a naïve notion; became a true opportunity.
I had no handy skill to speak of, no experience tending to a single farm animal, and no clue what I’d be doing once I got there. All I had was an insatiable curiosity to learn, an enthusiasm for a fair challenge, and a sense of openness to the unknown. I showed up bright and early on a Tuesday morning to Dan’s family home. Dan was warm, and much younger than I’d imagined. Dan possesses a wide smile, one that immediately softened any fears I may have had about being an out-of-towner. After introductions, I watched as he made and packaged beef bone broth against the quiet backdrop of the cattle-covered paddock in the distance. My first job was the spray down the animal entrails on the floor of their butcher shop. I was happy not to waste much time getting to work. Shortly thereafter, I met Lydia — beautiful both inside and out — then the children.
I spent a total of 3 great days with the Allgyer family and experienced life as they knew it. We shared our perspectives, exchanged good conversation, engaged in various work, and enjoyed a variety of delicious meals prepared almost exclusively by Lydia. She is both open-minded and awesomely perceptive. Although I spent a significant portion of my first day either interacting with, following and/or being followed by the children, I spent another fair portion of time aiding Dan in fence lining on the next. This is perhaps were I saw first and foremost the truth in the notion of hard work. I saw a man with tireless will and seemingly endless grit; tackle all challenges with fervor and resilience. While I was scrambling for tree shade from the scorching sun every chance I could, Dan never relented. Although the sun was hot and the flies were ever-present, the sense of fulfillment with each successful fence post is impossible to underscore. By supper, my legs felt like immense weights and the only thing I wanted more than food was my Airbnb bed.
Much more transpired for me in smaller, yet significant ways throughout the experience and I could go on writing. I could explain how I felt at various points during my exploration of Indiana County and in visiting fellow Amish farms and coming into contact with other families. I could talk about the animals and how I now believe I have a soft spot for chickens! I watched as cattle were corralled and transported. I think even the sheer size of these cows had been lost on me before this experience. You can’t just call one into the barn or trailer like I might call my dog or cat into the house! I left the Allgyer family farm with immense gratitude and appreciation for what they gave me, as well as a good faith in what I believe I gave to them. Those three days gave more to me than one entire year has ever given me. To Dan, Lydia, and the children: Thank you.
- Sam
