Building a Farm One Small Win at a Time

Opening Scene

I never understood why it seems to take so long to finish a block of garden beds, but sometimes, they just seem to take forever. That has been the feeling this week.

It has been wet and cold out here. When I walked outside in the mornings, I had to be ready to jump out and work the second the rain stopped long enough to get anything done—and sometimes, I just had to work through the rain anyway. The cold actually made the hard labor more comfortable, but the wet made it miserable.

But amidst the mud and the gray skies, we got the seed orders in for next year’s production and snagged some great Black Friday deals. It was a week of fighting the weather, but saying, “Alright… that’s something done.”

The Work of Today

What small tasks pushed the farm forward this week?

The biggest victory was simply moving one bed at a time. That was the plan: every time we went out to the field, we had to do at least one bed. By sticking to that, we accomplished turning six beds over in just a couple of days and finished our second block entirely. We’ve even started on the third.

We also found an old push plow that helps break the ground open so we can make our aisles quicker. Finding a tool that actually works like it should feels like a major win.

Beyond the dirt work, we managed some general farm cleanup—cleaning the coop, winterizing it a bit, and collecting the chicken litter for the compost pile. And, I’m knocking on wood to keep from jinxing myself, but nothing broke this week. That alone is a victory!

The land hasn’t shown much change yet—the cold has slowed everything down except the weeds—but the rain did force us to slow down, too. We got to watch a movie together and talk about Christmas with the kids. Sometimes the “change” on the farm isn't in the soil, but in the living room.

Small Hands, Small Wins

How the kids showed up this week in tiny but meaningful ways.

To be honest, the kids didn’t want to be out in the rain much—and I don’t blame them. But we did have a few moments. I took the boys out for target practice, and I was proud of them. They worked hard to be accurate, and they really listened when I helped them with their stance.

The funniest moment, hands down, was with Kyra. She came out to the field to give me her usual support. She was running around cheering, “Good work, Daddy!” Then the rain started. She was screaming and laughing, acting crazy… and then suddenly, it was quiet and raining harder. I looked up, and she was nowhere in sight. Fair-weather fans, right?

But the moment that stuck with me was with Lyla. She got in trouble and had to take a punishment. Afterwards, she came up to me, apologized, and said she knew that I loved her. It made me happy to know that my kids feel secure in their daddy’s love, even when I have to reprimand them.

And then there is Emily. She is feeling her pregnancy, but she remains a pillar that never stops amazing me. She cares for us all, making sure we have what we need. I know she feels like she isn't doing much right now, but just being an amazing mother and wife is the most important work of all.

Behind-the-Scenes Progress

Work that isn’t flashy but makes everything possible later.

We got our seeds ordered and delivered, and I handled the boring work of record-keeping. But the real progress happened in my head.

You can ask my wife or my neighbor—every time I’m in the field turning beds over, I have a smile on my face. I get a joy from working with my hands and building things that will thrive. My mantra for this market garden is simple: “This will work.”

I’m not allowing doubt to come into my mind. I’m not saying I don’t worry, but I keep telling myself that God has me. I’m working in honor of Him, and if I put my faith in that, I’ll be provided for.

We also added 12 more pullets, hopeful for extra layers and spring meat birds, and I’m planning a small greenhouse to get seeds started early next year. It’s all preparation.

Faith in the Little Things

Spiritually, emotionally — how small wins steady you.

There was a moment in the field when I could hear the rain coming before it got to me. It was spiritually and mentally peaceful. It wasn’t a hard, damaging storm, but a slow, soaking rain that refreshed the land and my spirit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 kept popping up in my head: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” And Ecclesiastes 11:6 has been on my mind, too: “In the morning sow your seed…”

It holds true to how I am treating my work. These accomplishments are just steps we have to take to grow our land and ourselves. We are all flawed with worry, but by taking small steps forward—even if you can’t see a big change yet—we continue to walk the path set before us.

I used to not see God’s hand in things like the weather. Maybe I didn't understand. But as my faith has grown, I have a lighter heart. I’m open to seeing it now, and I’m grateful for what I get to experience.

Closing Reflection

Looking back and looking forward.

If I had to pick the one small win that mattered most, it was completing that garden block. It reflects my life right now: it isn’t necessarily hard to do, but it requires taking one bed at a time to complete the block, just like taking one day at a time to complete the year.

We also had a death in the family this week. Nancy. When I went to the funeral, I felt a mix of sadness and relief—sadness that I didn't get to know her better, but relief that she is at peace. It made me think about what a beautiful, spiritual life she led. She touched so many people.

It makes me hopeful that I can provide that for my community. Looking back on this week, I think future-me would say I am building a strong foundation—not just for the farm, but for myself, my family, and my neighbors. It’s hard to see the forest through the trees sometimes, but in the end, I know I’ll be glad for the journey.