The Farmer's Symphony: Nature's Cues

By Taylor Herren, Farm Program Specialist

Excerpt from ‘The Dirt’: SCI’s Monthly Farmer Newsletter

With spring having shown itself, life is probably kicking into high gear if it hasn't already. Seeds have been long ordered, equipment is coming out, and it’ll be all-hands-on-deck with soil prep and planting before we know it.  

Spring is a time of newness, offering a chance to improve upon the successes and struggles of the last season. It’s filled with anticipation as decisions are made with hopes for the best from Mother Nature. 

In honor of this, below is a writing by SCI’s very own, Jerry Volenec. Jerry and his wife, Jennifer, farm in Grant County, Wisconsin and he’s been kind enough to share these sorts of writings with us throughout his time in the program. It’s been a wonderful reminder of the privilege it is to be a witness and supporter on these personal journeys.  

Apparitions of Indecision
by Jerry Volenec, SCI Founding Farmer

Well dear,  
Spring has been hard for me these past few years. Killdeer. They tell you when to plant your grass seed.   
Two weeks ago, I herd the first killdeer in the predawn. Couldn't see them. Ghosts, haunting me. Next day the same thing. Ghosts... 
Reminding me that spring is here and decisions need to be made. Day three I saw them, a relief, 'cause I thought maybe I was going a little bit crazy. 
So. 
Here we are again. 
Standing in the pain of what is, debating if the pain of change is less or more. 
But the killdeer don't reckon indecision. They show when it's time to decide. 
The swallows will come next. They tell you when to plant corn. Messengers are messengers. Sometimes they are muse, sometimes a haunting. 

Changing how your farm involves affects many parts of life – family, relationships and community, past and future legacies, business and finances, the list goes on. So, thank you, and know that we know doing this work is far from easy. As Jerry recently told me, “Strange how gut-wrenching embracing life can be”.

Thanks for being in this awesome community of farmers and hope to connect one way or another soon. As always, we’re here to be a resource! 

Reminder to all SCI farmers: Our monthly Farm Office Hours will take place every last Thursday of the month at 4pm ET.

FARMER RESOURCES

Farm Standard Updates

SCI has published the Soil Testing Guideline & Methodology, an accompaniment guidance document to the Farm Commitment & Verification Standard and provides an overview of the soil sampling methodology and soil testing directions needed to comply with the Farm Standard. 

Upcoming Events

Soil & Climate Alliance (SCA) On-Farm Network Meeting | June 11-13, 2024

SCA is the team that created SCI, and this Annual Meeting is an excellent opportunity to network with other farmers along with brands and other organizations that can support what you're trying to accomplish on your farm.

Registration is FREE for SCI Farmers! Reach out to us for details.

Additional Resources

PODCAST: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food | Episode 249
Flour, flavour and nutrients, how a back to the future mill changes everything for wheat farmers

Listen to this conversation with Kevin Morse, cofounder and CEO of Cairnspring Mills, about the fascinating world of grain, wheat and the little secret of flour, building a new Back to the Future mill, and much more.

Smart Nutrient Management

With fertilizer costs more than doubling in the past year, it’s more important than ever to strategically manage nutrients. On average, farmers can save nearly $30 per acre on land currently receiving excess nutrients by implementing a nutrient management plan.

RMA Offers New Resources for Specialty Crops and Small Farmers 

That’s why the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) created a new searchable directory of crop insurance agents who have experience selling Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm policies.