A few months ago, the editor for a local magazine called Edible Finger Lakes asked me to write a piece for their winter publication.
The invitation was pretty opened ended. The topic and writing style was left entirely up to me. The only boundaries were the word limit and the submission date.
The request came via email and immediately after I read it, I started trying to find a way to weasel my way out. I told myself. I’m too busy. I don’t have a topic. I’m not ready. And, I’m definitely not qualified.
The sensation in my body reminded me of this time Greg and I went cliff jumping in Canada at my brother’s wedding. It was like I could feel my neurobiology (or neurochemistry?) telling me stay on solid ground. To do what was safe, and comfortable and say a big fat NO. And yet, another part of my heart was telling me to jump.
I took that leap of faith, like I did on that cliff, and I said yes. I met the word limit and the submission date and I wrote what I hope is a good article and what I know is true and honest.
Here’s the thing I needed to share with you this week. There’s really just one reason why I said yes. And that’s YOU.
I thought about all your emails, online reviews, survey responses, messages, phone calls, and countless conversations where you told us how happy you are to have found us. I thought about the times you told us how much you’ve enjoyed reading about our life, how safe you feel eating food from us, and how much you love knowing that our animals are healthy and clean and well cared for.
You’ve been our champions. You’ve loved not just the food that we grow, but also the farm and the farmers. Being on the recieving end of all this love and support over the years, has been such a gift. And it was exactly what I harnessed to take that shot of courage and get it done.
You’ve inspired us in so many ways. To be better humans. To be better farmers. And this week, to be a better story-teller! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Your Farmers,
Jenney & Greg
PS- If you’d like to read my article, be sure to pick up a printed copy Edible Finger Lakes. They’re available at restaurants and coffee shops around town. Or you can download a digital copy right now for FREE, by clicking here.
[fluentform id=”12″]