As I was researching options of things to grow and understanding what exactly the USDA does and can do for me (subsidies anyone?), I reached out to my County Director, Bill Browning. When I sat down with the Bill, I had two pages of handwritten questions. Finally taking a pause in my rapid-fire agenda, he gave me some valuable insight. “Derek, you talk too fast,” he began. “You need to relax, slow down and get to know your neighbors.”
He must have felt like I was this guy:
Time to slow down, Derek. Shift gears from 8-5 work in downtown Birmingham. You are in Talladega County now.
My new advocate wisely explained that I’ll need my neighbors on my side, or the work will be much harder. They operate at a slower pace and if I come in with guns blazing, we won’t sync up, or gee-haw or whatever you call it on the farm. We don’t want to be an island on our own, but part of the community, working together.
And that’s one of the reasons we bought the farm in the first place, to discover a new perspective from a community different than we’ve known before.
Slowing down might be one of the harder things I’ll have to do. My wife doesn’t think I’m able. Thanks for your encouragement honey…
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If you are interested in learning more about what the USDA does in Alabama click here. In Talladega County, here’s how you find your get in touch with Bill, tell him I sent you….but remember, speak slowly.
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…and no subsidies for me. I didn’t qualify.
