Went back to the farm today. I expected some better weather, but it was cloudy and threatening rain the entire day, which wasn’t the most fun.
The farm had a new look to it, the water container was painted over, the fields were filled with vegetables and plants, like kale, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, bitter melons, all sort of things. The garden was really alive, much different than last time.
I started with helping the compost give away. Apparently, all that composting I did last time does turn into something; NYC bagged and approved fertile soil that is just given away. They distributed probably tons of the stuff, with huge pallet stacked with 20lb bags. It was the 4th on this year! People were given 5/10/15 even 20 bags! Asking around, they used it for different things, like filling hole or their own personal gardens or whatever. It was an interesting dynamic because I didn’t know so many people would be interested in getting….dirt. When we had run out, people complained, stayed around, and even fought about getting more compost.
Weird, but I guess there are just different needs in different communities. I don’t think it’s necessarily race divided, though the methods of transportation were by no means luxurious. Some were just those NYC shopping carts. But yeah, I would never know what to do with it. But I’m glad I could help people who did.
The next tasks were setting up a growing support for the string beans, and turn over a few beds to prep for planting. I was sort of disappointed we didn’t get to plant anything ourselves, but hacking at beds of rye with a scythe was great therapy. There wasn’t much additional work besides that. I petted the chickens for a bit, talked with some of the neighborhood/volunteers, and got some lunch.
Code switching is super interesting, and in a predominately African American and Hispanic area, I saw it executed masterfully by the student workers. With each other, shade and slang were thrown carelessly. But toward customers or me and other volunteers, they were much more respectful and polite.
This came to a head when the discussion turned to anime. Because, clearly from my racial profile, they assumed I watch anime. Which I do, another I’m more of a manga fan. But it was nice that they would put forward an effort to find what hobbies/interests we might share. That’s code switching at its most elegant. Where it’s not, not you, it just a different facet of you that you present to adhere to the society/company around you. Sometimes with different mannerisms.
I will say, I was way more accepted I think in to the social circles than most of the other volunteers. I would give credit to my relatively closer age, my social ability, and generally just being a nice person. It was a good feeling to have them talk and joke with me casually. They seemed like good kids. Most memorable was one junior, who was looking onto double majoring in Marine Science and Biology to become a marine scientist. That was just cool, to talk to someone with such ambitious dreams. I truly wish him good luck in that pursuit, or whatever else he wants to do.
I really like working on the farm. It’s fun, manual labor that makes me feel accomplished without being mentally taxing or too physically challenging. It’s all endurance based, and I think I have a high level of endurance. Also, even with the clouds, it was just nice to be outside, around plants and animals.
The community and surrounding area is quite nice. I walked to get some food, past a public library, and took the time to sign their petitions to increase funding, because libraries are great and important. The food was good, but not great. I would have got with a different pick. Something with some spice. Beef stew on yellow rice? Wasn’t bad tho, by any means.
I’m glad I was able to go back. A couple of the volunteers all remembered me. They were friendly and welcoming. I’ll try to find another day and go again in the summer, when the farmers market is open so I can see that.
No pictures because my phone died. Sucks.