Farming Forward

The first few years were difficult. It would make so much more sense to Natty if Rick had done this back then. By why now? Why when things were finally starting to get easier would he go and throw everything away?
Things seemed to be going really well for Natty and Rick. It had been almost five years since Natty’s grandfather left her his farm. Natty had always dreamed of being a farmer. She loved the way the soil felt under her nails. She dreamt about fresh vegetables right off the vine. She often pictured herself walking in a meadow followed by woolly sheep or collecting eggs from the hen house.
When they made the decision to leave behind the high-tech world and take over Patty’s family farm in Iowa it was a huge decision. The farm was 500 acres. Her grandfather had raised cattle, corn and soybeans. It was their goal to raise poultry (meat chickens & layers), pigs, goats, sheep and vegetables. They would sell their goods at local farmers markets and to family and friends.
They both knew farm work would not be easy. Their days would be long and physically exhausting. The jobs would be endless and the environment could be harsh. They both decided that this was something they were committed to. They had both seemed very interested in farming in an environmentally responsible way. They wanted to produce high quality, fresh, nutritious vegetables and meat for themselves and their community. They wanted the local children and adults to be able to see where their food comes from. Natty ultimately dreamed of having her own farmer’s market right on the property. For the time being they would travel to local markets and sell their goods.
Natty and Rick seemed like the perfect couple. They were both in extremely good shape. Farm work made staying fit pretty easy. They were outgoing and very welcoming. Everyone liked Rick. He was down to earth,