The good things include a lot of new customers joining our farm family. We have taken on a new delivery route to the White Rock and South Surrey area. This, combined with our existing delivery route, Ian's work colleagues and supplying Webbs Holiday Acres takes us to full capacity. We have around 16 regular delivery customers which is fantastic. Not only is our client base increasing but in the middle of the growing season, we have been thrilled by the quality and range of our produce. I have to say, I didn't expect this. As you know, we didn't really ever have a plan, everything that has happened as happened organically. And that's exciting, and somehow seems appropriate for this venture.
Last time I wrote a blog post about feeling overwhelmed, you came to my rescue. A few people showed up here ready to weed, plant and harvest. It amazed me, and Ian and I learned something. We learned the value of asking for help. We needed you and you came. A couple of hours of your time makes a massive difference to us, and you volunteers are more than happy to reap your rewards in the form of produce. That was definitely the highlight of the last few weeks.
Today, I'm embracing this lesson and doing something that usually sits uncomfortable with me. I'm asking for your help again. All of you.
We have faced a lot of challenges on this farm in the last year. Some have broken the bank but none have broken our spirit. Mostly, we have faced the ups and downs with good humour. This week, that resolve is being tested.
Our well pump died. The poor thing was put in 40 years ago and really only meant to service the house. We added a huge irrigation system to it's workload. It tried. It battled. It groaned. But now it's resigned. So, a mere $7000 to our already exhausted credit and we have a new pump, not sure how we are going to pay for it but hey, we'll get by with our optimism.
The saga deepens. New well pump and still no water. The prognosis is bleak. We have a well drilling company coming tomorrow to clean the existing well at a cost of $250 per hour. It will probably take 10 hours. However, we will probably have to drill a new well. Estimated cost: $10,000. Within a week, we've been assaulted by $20,000 worth of essential costs.
We're not crying yet though. Permaculture has taught us to focus on solutions as opposed to problems. We have tested the limits of our creativity and commitment when it comes to keeping the produce watered in 30 degree heat. You would laugh if you saw the tank of water in the back of our truck with the old pump in it and rigged up to the electrics that is attached to a make shift sprinkler system. Really, even we are laughing about it. You'd probably roll your eyes at us walking around with our watering can and buckets in the dark trying to hydrate the abundance of tomato plants. And you'd certainly chortle of us trying to sparsely utilize the rain water we've harvested in barrels to water the animals. Oh and we never let a drop of water go down a drain in the house. It's caught in pots and taken outside to a plant. Anything non essential on the farm is going without and dying (RIP rose bush). The peas that were coming to the end have been pulled out prematurely to conserve our resources. It's operation survival here.
That is not what is hurting us though. Physical challenges and hardships are like a hobby to us now. Whatever. It's the financial aspect that's terrifying me. I don't want to sound over dramatic by this could be the thing that ends the dream. And so, I'm shamelessly using this forum to ask for your help. You've followed our journey through this blog, you know our story, you know what we've achieved here and you know what our goals are. You've already invested in us emotionally, I know that because you tell me. You message me about enjoying the produce. You call me to ask if you can come and visit. You offer me feedback about the blog. And I know I have no right to ask for more, but if you can help us raise awareness and generate support, you can keep Laurica Farm going.
I've launched a crowd funding campaign. Click here. Anything you can do, either financially or to promote our cause is hugely appreciated.
I'm going to end this post here because I hate this! Forgive us for putting the Laurica Farms future in your hands. We are forever in your debt.
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