I originally joined social media to connect with friends and family. But over time, and especially recently as the Stearns farm manager, I have come to love the ways I get energized by the connections I have made with our community of sharers and other farmers.
Social media is a fantastic tool for a small, non-profit businesslike Stearns. The farm has an Instagram and Facebook page that helps us stay connected to our sharers, and we are able to advertise for free or at a very low cost.
Through our social media accounts, we can also connect with other farms in the area. It is a great way to see what other farms are growing, how their season is going, and to admire all the wonderful and amazing local farmers! I am inspired every day by what farms are doing and the support they get from their followers.
There is a farm in Oregon that I follow on my personal account, Working Hands Farm. Their pictures are beautiful and I enjoy reading their posts. They posted this poem recently that really spoke to me. Its imagery is so vivid and reminds me of early mornings at Stearns. I hope you like it.
Invitation
by Mary Oliver
‘Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude–
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.’
Until next time,
Ember
