Memphis Democrat April 30, 2001

Day to Day Life
Memphis Democrat Column -- Jacob's Travel Logs

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by Brad Jacobson

On Tuesday a few of us rode the tractor and trailer out to a creekside meadow where we planted oak trees in fulfillment of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that Dancing Rabbit participates in. We didn't expect to find alive any of the trees planted there two years ago but were happy to discover that many are still fighting the good fight. We mulched them along with the newly planted ones and pulled away, happy with the work we'd done and ready to move on to another field. It was one of the first hot days of the year - just hot enough to harden the top layer of soil and grass, but not nearly hot enough to dry out the sticky, sloshy, gooey mud beneath. This became clear to us when our tractor wheels sank halfway down into the sludge as we tried to drive up hill through what we later recognized as a drainage valley.

We returned another afternoon with a crew of folks to dig, tow, and otherwise convince the tractor to levitate itself out of the mess we got it in. After many attempts we succeded in getting it out - only to get it stuck again as we tried to drive it away. The next morning a refreshed crew succeeded in bringing our tractor home. Mama told us there'd be days like these. . .

We fared far better this week in our above-ground construction efforts. Sol (re)raised her teepee, this time with some extra reinforcements to safeguard against the high winds. It is quite a beautiful object on the landscape. On Skyhouse, we placed several trusses and worked out many kinks in the process. Now we are ready for full production mode as we construct and raise the seventy-six trusses that will compose the roof.

The garden crew planted vegetables in the brassica family, including cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. Megan organized an "art night" event where several of us joyfully painted signs that will be placed in the gardens identifying the crops. Everything from snap peas to pak choi was represented in our signage, which should be reusable year after year.

Don and Stan from Sandhill farm drove to Linclon, Nebraska this week to do some training in inspecting organic farms. Stan has much experience in inspecting organc farms for certification and Don is going to be his apprentice.

Cecil, Mark, and I biked into Memphis Saturday night to the movies. Some folks at the theather were suprised that we biked the 25-mile rountdtrip from Rutledge but for us half the fun was in the journey. Then on Sunday we celebrated my 28th birthday with a sunset dinner on the second-floor deck of Skyhouse, followed by much dancing and revelry. For those who have not tried it I must recommend chocolate tofu cream pie as one of the eight wonders of the earth. Seriously.

Now we await the return of many members this week, including Rachel who will return to this column next week, as well as many interns and visitors. Spring is in full swing!

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