Market Farming

["Wiediger, Alison" <awiediger AT Hart.k12.ky.us>]

I told myself I'd let this go, but I can't, so here goes.  Until fall, 1995,
I did ALL the work on Au Naturel Farm. The man I was married to was a very
nice man, but wanted absolutely nothing to do with any part of farming -
farming was my dream, not his.  I had meat chickens, layers, sheep, cattle,
and about 2 acres of certified organic vegetables.  I kept telling myself I
could 'do it by myself'.  In 1995, perhaps in a middle age crisis (41), I
decided if I was going to do it by myself, I was going to do it for myself.
Fortunately, I later met a man who must be the man I was supposed to meet 20
years ago.  We have been farming and moving ahead on the farm for a little
over 4 years now.  We are true partners - there isn't any job on the farm
either of us can't do, but he still does most of the heaviest work, and I
still do most of the cooking. We have the same vision, the same dreams, love
all the same things.  So, can a woman do it mostly by herself ?  Of course,
especially when young and energetic.  At 45, I'm glad I don't have to, but
grateful for the knowledge that I could. Doing things together has a synergy
that is more than 2X. Whew!  No more today.

Alison Wiediger
Smiths Grove, KY