Flooding in the Sadeh

June 21, 2009 · Filed under Farming

The sadeh (field) that we mainly farm in, has been in danger of flooding for a few days now. It’s pretty scary to think that our entire summer’s work could be washed away. This is the benefit of a CSA (community supported agriculture). The shareholders pay up front and share in the risk that the farmers undertake.

There has been a LOT of rain. It’s pretty early in the season for this much, says those who have been here for many years. The rain on the field is bad enough in this quantity, causing a lot of mud, compacted soil, and yes, some flooded patches. But the worst part is that the sadeh is in a valley, right next to a river. On Thursday night, the river was about 2 1/2 ft away from overflowing. And we have no way of preventing this if it happens. Any means of prevention are highly cost-prohibitive, even in light of how much money could be lost if the sadeh floods.

Several us went down to the sadeh Thursday night to tie down anything and move many things that could be carried away in a flood. But nothing can be done for the plants. We just have to pray.

This may be a “camp”-like experience, a bit of a “summer vacation.” But it is also a real job, with real consequences and real responsibility. Part of my fellowship is funded by the equivalent of how much work I put in and how much produce and value-added products are sold as a result of that work. If we can’t farm, we can’t earn the money. And thus we lose the funding of the fellowship. Not to say that I would then have to pay, but the program itself loses the money.

Anyway, real life consequences can be scary. And I wanted you all to know what it is like to be a farmer in this type of situation. It’s a lot of worry and apprehension. A lot of waiting. There is a lot more rain today, and the forecast calls for more all week.

If it is your custom, please say a prayer.

xoxo