Not many of you know me, but many of you know my husband, Kevin. He’s a farmer now, but his training is in mechanical engineering. He calls himself the in-law, the kids on his tours call him “Farmer Kevin”, but when the till isn’t working right, the staff and customers alike call him a lifesaver. And that he is. Because he can, and he will, fix anything and EVERYTHING. The only thing stopping him, is that he’d rather be in the field. And so sometimes he needs to be pried off the tractor to be put behind the computer. I guess not such a bad problem when I think about it.
Kevin and I, with our three boys, live on our Grandview Flats growing location outside Vernon. This is where the bulk of our apples and corn, along with many of the veggies are grown. Each night and morning, the “water” must be done. For us, this means moving the sprinkler on the corn. While I used to see it as a bit of a pain (no days off with a forecast like we’ve got), I’ve learned a new perspective. First of all, we have water. This is not something to be taken for granted. Without it, we can grow almost nothing. Second of all, before the current technology of trickle irrigation, my grandpa Bob Davison used pipe, and twice a day had to rotate the awkward aluminum pipe around the entire orchard. This would have taken hours every day, not 30 minutes like it takes my husband now. Thirdly, it’s a job our boys, young as they are, can do with their dad. So yes, it’s a job every day, but one I’ve learned to count as a privilege.
Since mid June when the rain stopped and the heat turned up, every night and morning, Kevin does this chore with our boys. The corn was just barely poking out of the ground then, but just this week, we have started picking it. And let me tell you, when you bite into it, I am reminded of why all those hours planting, weeding and watering are worth it.
Yum. Fresh, sweet, peaches and cream corn.
And this heat we’ve got right now, (while it makes us all a little uncomfortable and keeps all the farmers working very hard to give everything enough water), grows the sweetest corn. And eaten fresh, it’s so sweet and tender you can (and we do) eat it raw.
So come on up to the market and get some corn for supper. And say hello to Kevin while you’re there!
The farmer’s daughter, who became a new farmer’s wife.
Laura Shaw
For the family
Cookie had a beautiful kid (girl) last week! We welcome everyone up to the new barn to meet Oreo. Click the photo to see a short video of our newest addition.
topped and the heat turned up, every night and morning, Kevin does this chore with our boys. The corn was just barely poking out of the ground then, but just this week, we have started picking it. And let me tell you, when you bite into it, I am reminded of why all those hours planting, weeding and watering are worth it.
