Over this past summer, many visitors to the farm no doubt came across a gaggle of four ducks wandering the property. These ducks were actually two pairs donated to us by their loving owners who could no longer care for them. We gladly adopted them and they soon became a comical foursome who made themselves comfortable on the farm. They could often be seen waddling around the lower barnyard, the greenhouses, and up through the community gardens, visiting with unsuspecting gardeners, sometimes startling them as they toiled away pulling weeds and planting seeds. They were always a joy to watch as they waddled and quacked around the property and quickly became unofficial mascots and loved by many. I am sad to report, we are down to two.
Last week as we normally do, Abe and I trotted down the driveway to the car on our morning routine to take Abe to school. Each morning we were always met by this gaggle of four, excitedly quacking good morning and running up to us in search of breakfast. Abe would often lovingly taunt them as seven-year-olds tend to do, and shoo them away from the car as we jumped in and headed off to school. But last week, as we approached the car, only two appeared as they ran to us from around the corner of Barn D. They seemed a bit more harried than usual. I immediately thought this was not a good sign. Flock safety rule 101, stick together. With only two appearing Abe also suspected something was amiss and darted off around the barn in search of the missing ducks. Almost immediately he raced back screaming and crying to report his most favorite duck, Bubbles, was dead. It was a dreadful moment and I felt terrible he was the one to have found his buddy with legs in the air, feathers astray. I consoled him the best I could and we ran back over to where Bubbles had been attacked. And indeed, he was right, Bubbles was a goner. Usually, predators take away their prey, but Bubbles and Waddles (his companion) both met their end and were left on the cold ground for us to discover them. Unfortunately, we had no time to investigate the attack, for it was time to get going. The drive to school was a tough one and we talked, as we often do, about how rough and unfair life can be on the farm at times, and the good ol' "circle of life". It's cliche, but it's the truth. And it helps to put a broken heart back in place, just for a moment, as we try and rationalize these horrible moments. In our brief ride to school, we devised a plan to hold a ceremony for Bubbles, and his buddy Waddles. Abe wanted a proper funeral for Bubbles and instantly decried, that Bubbles deserved, no less than a real wood-carved memorial gravestone for his grave. With lots of tears wiped away, our plan was in place. And it was time for dad to make it so.
Before Abe came home that evening, I found a lovely spot next to some trees to put Bubbles and Waddles to rest and also found a perfect piece of wood for the carving. With Jared's help (he too loves the ducks) we made a quick carving and I dug the grave in preparation for the funeral. It's the first time I think we ever had a burial ceremony for any animal raised on the farm. So I suppose it was time, we were overdue. We had a small gathering that evening with board member DJ, and her daughters Montana and Cadence who happened to be at the farm visiting with the pigs. So we all walked together, in the darkness of the early evening, to the gravesite in our backyard and held a short remembrance for Bubbles. It was sweet as each of us told a small anecdote of our time in Bubbles company. With all the turmoil in the world today, it felt like a blessing to take a moment to reflect on something so simple and pure. Abe enjoyed the time we spent together that evening and it helped him make peace with the unfortunate early demise of his friend....and together we said goodbye to the esteemed Bubbles and Waddles
"Bubbles was a duck through and through. He had waddling and clucking down like the best of them, as all ducks do. He was unique and special and loved a good hug. It was fun to watch him, as he downed a slug. He wandered close and far, offering joy and cheer. He was always happy, and thirsty, but never drank beer (give me a break, it rhymes). Bubbles, bubbles, thanks for everything, you were a great friend, we are so sorry you met your end. Thanks for the happiness you brought, you made 2020 great, we hope to see you again, perhaps around the next bend." (I'm no poet laureate, that's for sure)
As we begin planning for the 2021 season we are also beginning our recruiting efforts for additional farm staff. The farm will be expanding next year and we need additional staff to help manage it all! We are currently accepting applications for:
SEASONAL FARM ASSISTANTS to begin work in early April of 2021 - we are hiring seasonal farm assistants to help carry out daily chores,
tend the livestock, collect eggs, work in the gardens...and more.
Click the link above for more information.
FARM STORE ASSOCIATES NEW positions to help us keep the farm stocked and beautiful for 2021.
Our continuing series of discussing why buying local, organic (when possible), and within our region is important and the role it plays in building a more resilient food system that benefits us all. This week we highlight Dean's Beans which is a unique company that, while sells a very non-local product, does so in a sustainable way with incredible support and dedication to the growers that produce their beans.
"Dean Cycon started Dean's Beans in 1993 and set out to prove that a for-profit business could create meaningful change through ethical business practices rooted in respect for the earth, the farmer, our co-workers, and the consumer." They create real change through their long term relationships with their organic farmers and the people-centered development programs they help create and fund. All Dean's Beans coffees are certified organic and shade-grown which provides for a more natural growing environment that fosters bird habitat, interplanting of other food crops, and creates a more robust ecosystem. Deans Beans is a certified B Corp. In addition, their coffees are just amazing, roasted to perfection fresh for us when we order, and are sealed in compostable packaging.
On a more personal note, Jen and I both served in the Peace Corps as agriculture volunteers. Jen served in Honduras where she assisted farmers in improving their sustainable farming techniques in hillside farming and I served in the Federated States of Micronesia with a focus on improving nutrition through increasing consumption of local island-grown fruits and vegetables. As returned Peace Corps volunteers we greatly appreciate and value the work Dean's Beans does to assist their farmers in improving their farming practices and livelihoods of their communities. From personal experience, we know it's difficult work and is often only successful if funding is paired with long term commitments to a community with in-country partners that are committed to change. The fact that Dean's Beans is committed to its growers and works directly with them makes them extremely unique as a for-profit company. We applaud their work and are proud to carry their products in the Codman Farm store.
For Lincoln residents, the Board of CCF would like to give a shout out in support of the new Town electricity program called Lincoln Green Energy Choice initiative. This program will increase the amount of renewable energy in your electricity to 27%. We encourage all residents of Lincoln to opt-in for this program or go the extra mile as CCF plans to do and select to receive 100% of your power needs as renewable energy.
Last year CCF installed a new solar array on our barns with the hope to be net zero. While we meet this goal during the peak summer months, during the winter we do draw power from the grid. During these times we are pleased to now have the option of using 100% renewable energy, despite the additional cost.
