This article is brought to you by University of Michigan dietetic intern Janine Cannell. Janine spent four weeks on rotation full-time at The Farm at St. Joe’s as part of her dietetic internship program at the UM School of Public Health.
The farm decided to give me a gift for my last few days. It hatched a nest of mosquitos, which proceeded to hunt me all week. Current bite count? 30.
On the bright side, I’m reminded of the farm every time I have to scratch. I took this time to reflect on my experiences during the past 4 weeks at the farm. I have sorted through all of these lessons and created a top 10 list.
10. The sight of a farmer’s market can put a smile on almost anyone’s face.
9. Mulching potatoes takes a lot of work. I don’t ever want to grow them.
8. Carrots are tricky business. They only grow how they want to grow.
7. Weeds can grow as tall as you are, if you let them.
6. Without sunscreen, people with a fair complexion WILL burn….although I think I already knew this.
5. Full brimmed field hats are a blessing.
4. Tomato plants dye both your clothing and your skin green! Can we say “green thumb?” Literally.
3. Don’t be misled. A small slice of garlic can actually make your face turn bright red and cause tears to fall from your eyes.
2. The role of prevention in health care is extremely important. Good nutrition is a key aspect of disease prevention.
1. There is a lot of work that goes into growing the food at your table. Small scale farmers go through a lot to provide you with delicious food. Thank your farmer!!
I have a new appreciation for all of the work that goes into small scale farming. This rotation helped bring me “back to the roots” of my field. I discovered how much I’ve grown to love the Farm at St. Joe’s when I dropped what I was doing and actually chased a groundhog off of farm property. If that isn’t love, then I don’t know what love is.
Thanks to those who have commented on my blogs! I really appreciate your feedback. Your next two interns come as a pair. Let me introduce Tiffany and Rebecca.
Signing off for the last time, Farmer J
Know your Farmer, Know your Food! Glad you loved that garlic tasting experience! You have already done the dietetics profession proud. 🙂
Your fellow weeder,
Diana Dyer, MS, RD
Nice blog, hope it keeps up in your future plans. One picture posted on the website shows Janene with what is identified as a thistle. This is not a thistle but what is known as Common Teasel, and invasive species that was introduced to North America in the 1700’s. It is used in garden plantings and used in dried flower arrangements. In some areas Teasel is burned out. In others it is harvested and used as is or spray painted with colors or glitter for decorations. Maybe something to be harvested and sold with our market harvest.