Thursday, March 11, 2010

Plant a Row

It feels like Spring today.  The sun is shining, the dog is sleeping on the driveway soaking in sun, the windows are open, and there is a lightness to the air.  Now if it would only stay this way for a while.  This is upstate New York however, so I think that we will enjoy the day and understand that there are a few more days of winter to come.

Today I received the first shipment of seed for the farm.  I am so excited!  I now have the cover crop for those areas we won't plant during the first go round, herbs and vegetables for the garden, and a pack of carrot seeds intended to feed the hungry.  The berry bushes will be here in due time, but it is the carrot seeds that I am excited about at the moment.  Excited because it was a surprise.  I didn't know it at the time, but the company that I ordered the cover crop and herb seeds from give away packets of vegetable seeds to their customers.  On the label, besides telling you what you will be growing, it asks that you plant a row for the hungry.  You are to give the produce to a food bank, shelter, your neighbor or anyone else that might have a need.  What a gift to give someone - I'm talking about me not the hungry.

My seed company gave me the gift of giving.  In turn I will give the gift of food, but what a wonderful way of "paying it forward".  They asked for nothing in return, only that as their customer I take a small amount of time and do something for someone else.  What a wonderful thing to do.  I think I'll ask my grand children to help out as a special project that we can do together.  That way they will learn the joy of giving a gift, of helping someone in need, and be able to spend time on the farm "playing".  All the way around everyone wins.

I was waiting for a robin to show up or the blubs to peak out of the ground to have it feel like spring.  I think a small packet of seeds does it much better and will have a much longer affect.  So, go out and do something for someone who could use a helping hand.  It will get the feel of winter off of your bones and make you smile as if it is always sunny outside.