Today was my day off. But really, there is so much to learn before the other interns leave, who can afford a day off?!! So today Mark and I worked on putting up some new fencing along the back of the third pasture. Its not a bad job, though I wasn't really strong enough to put the posts in myself. Luckily, I've never been too proud to let a nice strong man do all the unpleasant jobs. We got a good stretch put up- hopefully it will withstand the goats and their fearless climbing.
After that we joined Anthony, Melody, and John in working on a plumbing project. Though that was supposed to be a small job, its turned into a three day dirt-digging, pipe-fitting, equipment-renting extravaganza. We reached a standstill at about six, and with the threat of rain and darkeness hanging over our head, we went to dinner. I think we were all a little grateful that Home Depot was out of the thingymajigger we needed. Others went off to their chores, and I gave Melody a hand with the night pet feeding. I figured she must be exhausted after all the ditch digging and gravel moving she had been doing for the last five hours!
The other interns here are pretty awesome. Anthony and Melody have been here for a little over a month. They live out of their RV, and have for the last two years (besides a brief settled period in Portland). Anthony seems to know a lot about plumbing and construction type trades. Melody is a great vegetarian cook, but I don't know what she was accustomed to doing for a living before WWOOFing. Something with computers, I think. The other couple here are Marc and Courtney, who will have stayed just under three months by the time they leave next week. They are headed to Montana after this to live on a homestead with no electrcity or running water. Montana in February with no heat- sounds just awful to me. But they are looking for some remote livin' off the land kind of time. (Another helper arrived today. her name is Laura. She is my roommate. Um, she's a little different.) All of them are really dynamic, hardworking people. By all accounts, they have done a lot this last month or two to really keep this place going. I am bummed and, quite frankly, scared to death about how this place will run without them. With great tact and all due respect toward the overworked owners, they nevertheless strongly warned me about the state things were in when they arrived, and it has put the fear of God in me. Knowing I'll be the veteran intern in less than two weeks feels like a lot of pressure. Oh well, maybe enough new interns will show up that we can get some momentum going on the projects that remain.
Hi Erin, what a great great experience ! How long do you expect your internship to last? Also, do I understand correctly that the owners have just recently purchased or started the farm?
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne-
ReplyDeleteWell, they've had this farm for about five years, I think. They haven't had this big of a herd for quite that long though. Maybe three years? And they've only had interns for the last two. I think before that they were losing a ton of money cause they had to pay people to milk.
I'm not sure how long I will stay. Though my original plan was upt o nine months, I think it will probably be somewhere around five. But I'll see how it goes. I like the goats, but think I'll benefit more from somewhere with a bigger emphasis on veggies and homesteading skils, rather than dairy sales. As long as its fun, so who knows?!
hi Erin,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the rats :(
but I must tell you that what I think you're doing is brave and amazing!!! and, you are an awesome writer and I love reading your posts- thank you so much for sharing!
xo,
A