****
Jerry Ford of Living Song Farm (he’s pictured center) is going to need help with his garlic crop very soon, and he’s sending out an all-call for people to come out to his farm in order to harvest garlic.
Here’s the catch: He doesn’t know when he’ll be harvesting. Not exactly. From Jerry’s last email:
The way I make the final decision is to 1) inspect the plants for maturity, 2) consult with books and other growers, 3) rely on intuition 4) check the weather forecast, 5) stress out about it, 6) change my mind, 7) finally say “aw, to heck with it – GO!”. It’s as much an artistic decision as practical, and of course there’s all the other things going on in life.
Because we don’t know when the garlic will be ready, this is going to be a very different kind of crop mob for us. No Eventbrite. No schedules. No warning. When and if Jerry fires the gun next week, we’ll have only a couple days to get prepared. It’ll be a flash crop mob.
Are you down for that? Assuming Jerry does decide to start harvesting next week, here’s what we need to know and do right now:
1) Who can drive?
My schedule is still in flux next week. Tuesday 7/6 won’t work for me (can someone else do it Tuesday??), but Wednesday 7/7 might for a mid-day mobbing. I could maybe leave at 10am and be back by 4pm? If you’re interested in riding with me, let me know in the comments. I’m still not 100% sure yet, so check back.
Also, if you’re willing to drive and carry Mobsters out to Living Song, let us know what day(s) you can go, and when you’d like to leave/return in the comments. The farm is a little less than an hour west, near Delano, MN. (I have directions to Living Song Farm, which I’ll email if you’re willing to drive.)
2) Equipment
Sun hat; sun block; garden gloves; sturdy work boots that can get muddy (no open-toed shoes of any kind!); rain poncho; rain hat; galoshes or water-proof footwear; long pants to protect your skin from scratches; full water bottle (or two); bug repellent; energy snacks that you can keep in your pocket; camera; Flip camera; etc.
3) Food
Bring a lunch. When we went out to Living Song, Marienne made us an absolutely exquisite meal, but she had plenty of preparation for that. This time it’ll be during harvest, the farmers will be stressed out and crunched for time, so I think we should plan on bringing our own lunches. Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can scare up someone to donate some sandwiches or something.
Check back to this post for updates. And let me know what you guys think about helping Living Song Farm!
Darn, I’m out. Have an event on Sunday the 11th. I’ll send you the contact info for the food folks, though!
Molly
Sorry we can’t rope you in, Molly! but enough people expressed an interest in mid-week mobbing that we’ll definitely put one together soon.
And thanks for the contacts! Much appreciated.
I would love to see Living Song farm and I have a car. Is there a registration page?
-Aaron
No registration page. We’re just taking a headcount here. Glad you can make it! I’ll have Leslie K. get in touch with you (is this Aaron at The Wedge?).
Just not sure for how long. Sadie has a work project that will need tending sometime that afternoon. Timeframe should get more concrete as Sunday gets closer.
Looking forward to it.
Hey that could be my nickcame. “Aaron from the Boondocks”. I live in Fridley. I was at the Cornercopia crop mob and the antibiotics discussion. Contact me at 612-384-1404. I’ll give email address over the phone, where spam sniffers can’t see it.
I get to see Living Song farm! I’ve always wanted to see Jerry and Marienne’s operation.
-Aaron
Cool! I’ll let Leslie know.
Hello, I’m just wondering who’s organizing this. So far I have not been contacted. I would like to know schedule, where we’re meeting up, who’s driving, etc. Please contact me. 612-384-1404. AFontaine79 (at) gmail
Thanks,
-Aaron
Leslie K should be contacting you today, Aaron.
As of right now, I am open on 7/7. Last minute orders may change that, but count me in!
If I’m going, I can drive. Check with Grass Roots Gourmet or Salty Tart at Midtown Global for sandwich donation? I have their contact info if you need it….
Molly
Sweet! Yes, if you wouldn’t mind sending me contact info, that would be great. barthanderson atsymbol gmail.com.
This is going to be fun.
I’d love to head back out to Living Song Farm, but the desk job only allows me to mob on weekends. If they end up harvesting on Sunday I could drive.
Excellent, I’ll definitely let Jerry know. I’m guessing this will have to happen over the course of a couple days, anyway, so he may like that option quite a bit.
I’m kind of excited about the mid-week mob, just because people have been asking for one. Couldn’t have worked out better, actually.
I have an incredibly flexible work schedule so I could probably make it either day, but I don’t have a car so I’d need a ride. Will the final decision be announced on Facebook? That’s where I’m getting my Crop Mob info.
You bet. I’ll post details in both places.
My kids are 3 and 5.
We’ve generally dissuaded kids from being on TC Crop Mobs, just so the focus could be on accomplishing as much as possible in the time we have on the farm. But I’ll ask farmer Jerry what he thinks.
I would be available to drive people out on Wednesday morning, but then have to get to work by 1pm at Harvest Moon Co-op in Long Lake (work until 9:30pm), so it would be a one-way ticket, and I don’t even know if Jerry wants half-day helpers. But I’m expecting to buy his garlic for the co-op, so I’d love to see the farm and help out!
Hilary (“Big Johnson” — can’t remember my login stuff)
Hey, I didn’t know you were at Harvest Moon! Are you produce buyer/manager there??
I’m sure half-day would be fine. I bet Jerry would take any help he can get — especially from a potential buyer.
What about Sunday, if he decides to call the mob then?
~barth
Yeep! We are incredibly stacked up these days. Tuesday no, Sunday no, Wednesday. . . very slim possibility. However. Black Cat has food. If you haven’t heard back from the food folks above, we’ll pack y’all a picnic, your cooler or mine. If you’ve got lunch covered, keep us in mind for (Wm. Shatner voice): future-flash-crop-mob-action!
love this stuff.
I will email you contact info now.
–K
I’m new to Crop Mobbing but I’m excited to start digging in the dirt! I can make it on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Depending on the timing of things I might be able to give a few others a ride there however I wouldn’t be able to give anyone a ride back due to other commitments.
- DJ
Hi Barth,
Thanks! Sounds good. If it’s Tuesday and Wednesday, I think we’re going to have decent coverage over the course of those two days (I can only go Wednesday). And I’m guessing with this stunning summer weather, the garlic might be ready sooner than later.
Check back Sunday night, and we’ll see what Farmer Jerry says.
Yep, I’m the produce manager at Harvest Moon now. I’ve only had a handful of days off since I started (fewer than proper weekends), so I’m looking forward to attending a crop mob one of these days — hopefully soon!
Hilary
Crop mob is Sunday 7/11, but I’m going to be out of town. Leslie, are you still able to drive for those who can go and help Living Song Farm?
Who else wants to go? Who can drive? I’m looking into getting some good food for y’all!
There’s a picnic I was planning to attend in Minneapolis late afternoon/early evening, but I can be flexible depending on the needs of the mob.
Excellent! We just need to get as accurate a count as we can, so that Jerry knows how many people to expect.
Can anyone else drive on Sunday?