Volume 1 - Issue 2
Chickens, whales & bees
As a reminder, here are the three things that you’ll get from these newsletters:
Freelance to Farm Updates
Updates on how the journey to full time farm / homesteading is going
Sharing is Caring
Something I’ve learned that I think is worth sharing with YOU
Authentic Human Stories
In an automated world, let’s stay human
Freelance to Farm
I am beyond thrilled to share that we received approval for the high tunnel grant!
We’ll be navigating the buying process and having it delivered later this summer. Installation will be an entirely new process for us too. 😳
In other news, I was nominated and voted onto the Farmer’s Market board, and I look forward to bringing my skills and talents to my local community! 💪🏻
Oberon received a full stamp of health from the vet so he’s ready to run the acres all summer long while mom is watering, weeding and singing to the potato plants.
Chicken egg laying production is up!
It’s mixed feelings over here when I discuss our mild and very out of the norm winter. On one hand, we’re grateful to have so many eggs to share with our friends and neighbors. On the other, our ecosystem & economy in rural northern Minnesota have been severely impacted.
Up next for the farm: Indoor planting & thinking through irrigation (watering) plans.
We’re ordering some new indoor lights and making plans to start some indoor growing in the next week or two as well. Although most of the crops we grow don’t require early planting, we are going to try to grow some leafy greens this spring. 🌱
Want to support the farm adventure? Subscribe to my personal newsletter; Forest Whispers
Sharing is Caring
Part I - Cool tool
As I’ve been navigating managing multiple brands, I’ve found keeping content organized is critical. I currently use a Notion Social Media Calendar template, but that is just one piece to the Social Media puzzle.
SocialBee appears to be a great solution for social media managers & those that support multiple businesses and brands. It’s got a ton of features included in their entry level plan which is also intriguing!
❗ Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored ad and I have not used it, however I’ve reviewed it and been considering it for my own organization. I’m sharing because it may be helpful for you too.
Part II - Cool non-work related thing
In the ‘value’ section of Target, they have watering cans that also have a spray bottle function. That is going to come in SO handy when I’m watering the new indoor plants!
Part III - Cool earth thing
A gray whale has emerged on the east coast of the US! An animal considered to be extinct from the Atlantic Ocean, somehow navigated its way from across the world to the shores of New England!
This whale traveled across the world to get 15 minutes of fame. What are you doing to chase your dreams in your own neighborhood?
Authentic Human Stories
The starter in my 2002 Chevy Impala went out. I had left the car in the apartment parking lot for weeks, possibly months and used a different vehicle to get around. I was lucky to have another option at the time.
When the time came for me to replace the starter and move the car out of the parking lot, I opened the passenger door to find a massive wasp nest inside.
I slammed the door closed and immediately wondered how I was going to navigate this mess.
Similar to getting a shot or finger prick, the idea of being stung by a bee resides in the file folder of my brain labeled, “Worst possible pain imaginable.” 😱
Even today, as full-grown adult when they tell me they need to run bloodwork, give me a booster shot or anything with a needle, I warn them that they must do the thing without telling me and keep a conversation going so I am distracted the entire time.
That’s a bit more challenging to do when you’re trying to tackle a wasp nest in your car.
So, I layered up.
Literally.
I had layers of hoodies and at least two pairs of sweatpants on. Multiple pairs of socks stuffed into my boots, and random tulle material I found in the closet wrapped around my head and tucked under the hat my dad brought back from a trip to Australia.
As I was pumping myself up to spray the wasp nest in the door frame, a neighbor came outside and offered to help. He wore no protective layers, not even gloves.
He opened the door, sprayed the nest as fully as he could and then stepped back.
Not a single wasp came at him.
I spent so much time preparing for the ‘worst case scenario’ and layering up to protect myself from the harm I may experience. And that time could have been better spent in so many other ways.
What are you layering up with today?
Are you pushing a deadline because you want to inspect “just one more thing”?
Are you keeping your dreams hostage in locked box because you don’t know what happens when you begin chasing them?
Are you preventing opportunities for joy by clinging so tightly to what brings you comfort?
Other than getting a chuckle out of my ridiculous outfit, I hope you take away the reminder to “do the thing” even if you feel unprepared.
Do it scared.
If you’re interested in sharing a story to help remind others how human our existence is, use the button below to let me know by sending an email to purposefulpivoting@gmail.com