New Year Resolutions
Ahh… January. The time to reflect on the past year and think about what we want to do differently or better next year. Here are some resolutions and reflections for 2016 collected from around Full Belly Farm:
“I resolve to do more pruning – making time to cut out more of my deadwood, looking to trim back diseased branches and snip here and there to stimulate growth and renewal. I also resolve to help all at Full Belly practice the words of collaboration; the spirit of cooperation; the language that reduces tension – while listening more carefully to hear and acknowledge what others are saying. Also to exercise more by playing more – doing it early and often …”
— Paul Muller, Owner and Best Grandpa
“Vacations are great! The impulse of “getting away from it all” serves so well to reaffirm why I do what I do in my farming life. For me every vacation starts with yearning to break away, both for respite and perspective. Conversely, every vacation ends with the excitement to be back, refreshed and impassioned, ready to pick up where I left off and push the farm forward along our mission path. With that in mind, my farming resolution for the New Year is that we stridently continue the methodical, one-step-at-a-time progress of three fold sustainability:
1. Healthy economic profitability – a progressive business model of innovation, flexibility and security;
2. Reducing ecological footprint – greater soil fertility regeneration on farm;
3. Social equity – improving our employees’ standard of living and fostering long term socioeconomic stability.
Lastly, on a personal note, we had a major health emergency in 2015, so I hope and pray for a very healthy 2016!”
— Andrew Brait, Owner and Farmer’s Market MVP
“My farm resolution for the coming year is to remember – amid all the production and organizing and planning and doing – to stop, look around and think about why we do what we do. I love farming and continue to do if for that reason. I hope to slow it all down a little and pay a little more attention.”
— Janvier Velilla, Harvest Manager (and everything else manager, too!)
“Plant more trees!”
— Rye Muller, Chief Landscaper, Beautifier and All Around Renaissance Man
“We have two bald eagles hanging about the edges of the farm right now. I hope that collectively as a farm we take some time to plant more wildflowers, hedgerows and native plants in the spaces in between to attract all the amazing birds, bees, and other beneficial insects. If you plant it, they will come! I suppose that is also true of aphids, which, by the way, are not welcome. I personally hope to spend more time on the farm creating some magic in the kitchen!”
— Jenna Muller, Owner, Events Coordinator, and Kitchen Enchantress
“I want to focus on planting and cultivating better pasture on borders, outskirts, and hopefully a field or two for the animals. With our ever growing animal program, it’s a real challenge to have everyone on fresh feed, especially during the summer. A few extra plots of yummy clover or alfalfa would be so nice to have in those times of need!”
— Becca Von Trapp, Shepardess Extraordinaire and Baboo Minder
“Discover a new way to eat every single thing that we grow.”
— Amon Muller, Owner, Best Farm Chef and Chief Farm Eater
“My farm resolution is to be super positive this year! After having 2 months off and traveling through many spectacular countries this fall and seeing so many amazing sites, I am happy to announce that Full Belly Farm is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. Our community of friends, farmers neighbors, and customers has few equals in the world. I am returning home with renewed vigor in making the farm more even more beautiful! Lets have a wonderful new year!”
— Dru Rivers, Owner, World Traveler, and Amazing Mother (in Law) and Nana
Finally, a big thank you to our amazing community. We are so looking forward to this coming year and we return from our winter break full of energy, positivity and new ideas for the New Year. We hope to see you at a farmer’s market, an open farm day, or at a farm dinner sometime soon!
Send us your New Year’s Resolutions – we would love to hear them!
— Jenna Muller
