August 14, 2022

Good Morning! I hope this reaches you while it's still morning! My Sundays are now packed with greeting our stay-over guests with a farm-fresh breakfast and lovely morning chats.

Last weekend was extraordinary! We fed 250 people between Thursday and Saturday. Between Locavore Farm #1 and #2, Five Hands Farm in Lowell, and Gray Farms in Watseka, we produced nutrient-dense and full-of-flavor ingredients for 150 courses - about 750 plates!

This week, 200 guests between Thursday and Saturday farm dinners. There is an intense busyness that surrounds preparation for house guests, glampers and dinner guests. The days can be long and the to-do list has a new item listed before one is crossed off. However, the numbers and the chores to be done represent people who will come to be well-fed, inspired and leave rested after an evening or night void of striving and filled with enjoying the good things.

The busyness is for people. It's why we do any and everything. People are the purpose. Our planet. Our jobs. Our families. Our friends. Our food.

We knew year seven would be big, but I promise you, we really had no idea. We underestimated the work we had to do, reviving, and outfitting this old farm estate for our operation. We also underestimated the response from our guests. For those of you who’ve come out so far this season, thank you for sharing your experience with your friends. They’ve taken your word and brought more friends too.

In the first week of August, we fed 250 people between Thursday and Saturday. Harvesting from both Locavore locations, along with sourcing from our friends at Five Hands Farm in Lowell, and Gray Farms in Watseka. Together, we produced nutrient-dense and flavorful ingredients for 150 courses - about 750 plates!

This past Thursday and Saturday, we entertained 200 more. Those gathering around the table are from Chicago and communities throughout the region. And this season, our guests are traveling from further distances: out-of-state and even from overseas (Canada, China, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Australia and more).

There is an intense busyness that surrounds preparation for house guests, glampers and dinner guests. The days can be long and the to-do list has a new item listed before one is crossed off. However, our energy comes from knowing that the chores and the tasks will positively impact people.

Our work is for people. We farm earth’s planetary resources because we love people. People are the planets most valuable inhabitants, and we desire to serve both land and lives, stewarding well so that we can enjoy the good things together.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world…” People.

And how did He prove it? “… (that) he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He gave.

People are the reason for all we give and do. If you look at what you spend your time doing, it’s why you do it too. When we lose sight of why and who, the work gets tedious, lackluster, and void of joy. Every time you “do”, think about the “who” you “do” for.

*I’ll try to remember this too, when I pick up those wet towels off the bathroom floor in a few.

When we set out the table, when we harvest, when we create a menu, mow the grass, put out candles or fill a vase, we are thinking of you and how you might feel seeing, tasting, and experiencing what we’ve done. We hope it always refreshes and revives, giving you much joy in return.

Until next week,

Rachael

Mrs. Farmer Jones

If you haven’t come yet this season, we hope to see you Thursday or Saturday before mid-October. Very soon, we'll post our schedule for holiday markets, dinners and special events for fall and the holiday season.