It's Actually a Garden! Not a Farm.

Just like the light, you have to shift.

I used to get offended when my dad would ask how my garden was doing. Begrudgingly I'd shout, "It's a farm!" I felt as if he was minimizing my work by calling it a garden. Growing up being the only female in our home, I often felt like I had to prove that I could do whatever a man could do. This false narrative lead me to work in the construction industy selling fiberglass to insulation contractors, driving an F150 truck, and cutting my long hair for a bowl-like bob.  Looking back, I cringe at my 20's. 

Then a series of working with poised and impactful women, in the same male dominated industry, showed me it was possible to be strong while also walking with grace in my own skin.  Be it construction or farming, I learned to trust my perspective, and lean into my style of working, instead of thinking I had to be masculine for the worlds approval.  I am grateful to those women back then who lead by example, and to all the women I see today embracing their femininity. 

Fast forward a few years, I admit, Gustavo (my dad) was right. Growing for market on 3 acres or less is legally considered a market garden by the City of Arvada.  And you know what--that feels right. I actually prefer working in thoughtfully designed gardens that are diverse and brimming with different plants around every corner, verses being a production farm doing the same thing over and over again like a machine. I'd rather visualize myself more like a gardener and designer in the famous gardens of England verses a production farmer in California.

If gardening is what you love, keep doing that and get really good at it. Don't worry about how big it is. Staying small and true to yourself might just be what this whole thing is about.

Gina