farmstead that was too small for big equipment,
available for a small-scale producer. John had mar-
ried into the farm and having been a career educator
he hoped that the land might help someone hone
their craft. The Beckers wanted the producer to use
organic techniques, to protect habitat around the
farmhouse for critters. “I love this land and the wild-
ness with resident fox, turkeys, woodpeckers,” Fran-
ces said adding, “It was important to have someone
who cares for this land.”
As far as lessons learned, Frances offered up
the case of Tanya’s new greenhouse. “Tanya asked if
she could build one for season extension and con-
trolled growing conditions. I should have asked the
size,” Frances noted. “I should have told you,” Tanya
acknowledged. John Becker smiled. It is a pretty
good-sized greenhouse. We all agreed that clear and
consistent communication between farmer and
landowner is key. And yet you could see from the
ease of the conversation and the shared compli-
ments that this was a good match. “Tanya shares
her produce. We love that,” Frances remarked. “I
came into this knowing it would not be an overnight
success,” Tanya emphasized. “I wouldn’t have gotten
this far without the Becker’s warmth and support.”
Before parting, we all laughed long and hard
at the story of Tanya’s sloppy collision with a big
manure pile on the farm and the ensuring comedic
joint effort to get her car free.
I
caught up with Tanya again at her farm
on a mid-July’s hazy, thick day. She had
taken a break in the shade, with needed
fortification of now very soft chocolates and cool
water which she generously shared after motioning
me to sit with her. We were both taking time away
from busy. This lovely, rangey bit of land is clearly
her element— her contentment and peace imme-
diately felt. The conversation flowed along with life
philosophies shared. “Farming teaches me about
patience and being in the moment at each stage
when the crops are growing up. The beauty of
planting a tiny mustard seed, and then...the harvest
of the big leaves,” she beamed. It is a tangible thing.
But it is also deeply spiritual. “There is a much
deeper meaning than the financial transaction,”
Tanya said. And that is what we have heard over
the years from other producers—the satisfaction
of deeper human connection through the planting,
nurturing and shared harvest.
This land gives me hope, something to look
forward to. This is a life sustainer for me.
~ Tanya Spandhla
Kiwano, or horned melon, is a specialty fruit from Africa
and one of Tanya’s popular cash crops.
16
plenty I autumn harvest 2019
We also talked about the other substantial
challenges to farmers here, including securing
knowledgeable and affordable labor, groundhogs
and deer. “The ground hog that lives near the
greenhouse is so fat he can’t even walk,” Tanya
complained. And there is the cost of fencing, and a
watering system. And the rain… the incredible de-
structive volume and velocity of the storms that the
region is experiencing has resulted in heavy crop
loss, especially last year. But Tanya is like most all
farmers—an optimist—and is buoyed by the strong
bond she has formed with her customers, those
at market and those who come to the farm. “They
start asking for corn in February!”