Discerning

So, I'm seriously thinking about making a decision that (in the eyes of some) ranks right up there with getting married and having children.

Here's the scoop. There's this farm in Marysville called Creekside Farm. I had visited it once back in 2006, and found the operation quite impressive--nine greenhouses growing specialty greens, culinary herbs, and edible flowers, plus a wide assortment of heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc. in the field. Pat (half of the couple that owns/operates this place) called me in 2007, saying that they had decided to retire. They had a potential buyer for the farm, and were trying to find a couple to manage it for the buyer (who was simply looking at the farm as a business to add to his portfolio). I didn't have anyone to recommend at the time. I knew that Creekside was still in operation, so I assumed that everything worked out.

A few weeks ago, Pat called again. "We've closed, as you probably heard," she said. "We're liquidating all the equipment, and wondered if you wanted some perennial herbs. I hate to compost them." I was stunned. The deal with the potential buyer had fallen through after a year of negotiations, and they were unable to find anyone else. They were planning to subdivide the farm so that they could have an infusion of cash to pay off some old debt and retire comfortably. I went out with a friend to dig up some herbs, and was heartbroken to think about the extensive infrastructure being dismantled. I made a comment to Pat that I wish I had known that they hadn't found a buyer; I had plenty of friends interested in agriculture, and perhaps we could pull something together. "It's not too late," she said.

I contacted some friends; we talked. No one had a bunch of money to invest, but a couple of people had some time and/or were looking for jobs. I met with Pat again to get the scoop on some of the financial angles. The business had not been lucrative (it's farming!), but it had been profitable, and it would pay the bills. Many of her customers (particularly chefs at local restaurants) were sad that Creekside had closed, and were not expecting to find similar quality, value, or flexibility at another Pennsylvania farm.

So, here's the list of pros and cons, in no particular order.

PROS
1. It's conveniently located for sales to Harrisburg and beyond.
2. Despite the downturn in the economy, interest in local food continues to rise. A new grocery store is opening in Lancaster called Expressly Local; various restaurants are being organized around local/organic themes (think Harvest, at Hershey).
3. The infrastructure is still intact. 4 of the greenhouses need new poly; Pat and Woody would pay for that prior to closing. The 1 million BTU furnace is relatively new; propane heat is available for backup in some of the greenhouses. Included in the sale would be various tractors and implements, a walk in cooler, a delivery vehicle (I think), irrigation equipment, scales, remaining inventory of seed, containers, etc.
4. The house is well-maintained.
5. I know at least 2 people who are ready to commit to 30 hours/week of work. I know 2 other people who are looking for jobs, and while I have not had the opportunity to speak to them about Creekside, I think they would be excited.
6. Microgreens and salad mix grow quickly, so income could be generated sooner than with traditional farming.
7. There is a bamboo patch (DJ loves bamboo). His comment on arrival? "This is the coolest place ever!"
8. The greenhouse work is all on benches, which is less stressful on the back and body. There are some aspects of the greenhouse work that would involve heavy lifting, but by and large it's not too hard on the body.
9. Pat and Woody will mentor the new growers.
10. It's year round work, which means a steady stream of income.
11. To be financially sustainable, the farm would have to have a high rate of production, which means at least 2 other full time people, maybe three, with additional help during the summers. I'd be part of a team. I'd get to work with grownups!
12. In theory, additional income for our family would take the burden of breadwinning off Darrel, and give him freedom to explore new directions.
13. It's got at least 4 acres of tillable land, plus a creek and some woodlands. So many possibilities!! Chickens! Raspberries! Treehouses!
14. Microgreens grow quickly. If I don't get something right, I can try again the next week. With so many of the crops I'm used to growing, if I don't get something right, I have to wait until the next year to try again.
15. The Harrisburg area is getting ripe for a center for sustainable education. Creekside could be turned into a non-profit resource center, partnering with other organizations to assist new farmers, demonstrate sustainable practices, be a fun connecting point for all kinds of people.
16. We know other friends who have thought about relocating to rural Perry County.
17. To some degree, projects like this get my creative juices flowing.
18. In theory, work at Creekside could be more in tune with my kids' school schedules--none of this 2 evening a week pattern that has come with the Joshua Farm CSA.


THE CONS
1. I wasn't looking for a new adventure. Life has finally gotten to a place of margin. Why push myself to a new extreme challenge? I've been saying for the last 10 years that I don't ever want to work full time.
2. Darrel's job at Paxton remains stressful and unpredictable.
3. Debt. Lots of it. For a long time.
4. Joshua Farm. I still had dreams for it, still believe in urban farming, still care about being something positive in Harrisburg.
5. It's year round work, which means no seasons to regroup, read books, babysit other people's children, wash windows, cook good meals--all the things I don't have time for during the height of harvest.
6. The house at Creekside. It's lovely, but small. Two bedrooms, an unusable basement. I just can't see us living there with children. (We weren't planning to move there yet, but it certainly was an option for the future, particularly if the business struggled and we needed to sell our Holly Street house for an additional source of income.)
7. Needing to depend on other people is hard for me. Plus, what happens in times of staff transition?
8. Microgreens can be very boring. Planting and harvesting are time-consuming and repetitious.
9. I don't even like lettuce! My taste buds are not very discriminatory. What if I can't tell the difference between an adequate product and a great one?
10. The house next door to us will be going on the market soon. Buying it (or at least finding good neighbors) has long been a dream of mine. There's also a lot about a block away that I've dreamt of buying. I can't do it all.
11. It's further away from York and Lancaster.
12. Childcare. I couldn't do a patchwork, piecemeal child care pattern like I've done. I'd need a nanny, or day care, or something. And what about summers? Sure, when my kids are 9 and 12 they may be able to entertain themselves pretty well, but right now they're 3 and 6.
13. Can I in good conscience grow and sell a product that only the elite will use?

It's getting late, and I need my sleep. If you have any pros or cons to add to the list, words of advice, questions, etc., please let me know.