Tomorrow the wives of Generation 4, Inc. are starting a farmer's market. After meeting and discussing just how involved we want to be in the family business, we decided to give it a trial run this year. Located on Byron Center Avenue, between 100th st. and 108th st., fresh produce will be for sale. We're hopeful this takes off, and we can reinvest what we earn to make the market bigger and better next year.
Being a farmer's wife comes with a few expectations that I was unaware of when I married a farmer. Really, I didn't know much about farming. Or at least, farming never really mattered to me. I just ate what I bought at the grocery store. Being married to a farmer, I've learned just how important weather, soil, seed, fertilizer, and hard work are in order to make a living. That sweet corn or squash or cucumber you buy at the grocery store is the result of a lot of time, money, sweat, and prayer.
Farming has its ups and downs, just like any other job. In my opinion, what makes farming so interesting is that it's been around for thousands of years. It's what feeds the world. It's what keeps families together and binds generations to something as simple as soil, water, and sun. I've gained a great respect for farmers and the farming industry, no matter what it is that you grow, feed, sell, or harvest. It's a simple and not so simple life; as time and technology change, so does farming. But, it always comes down to the prayers and hard work of those who aren't afraid to get their hands a little dirty.
"The farmer has to be an optimist, or he wouldn't still be a farmer."
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