Homecoming Farm is a three acre organic farm located on the grounds of the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in North Amityville. My wife Nancy and I have a work-share. We work four hours a week and take home our weekly share of fresh vegetables. Starting in May and ending in Mid November, the farm is abuzz with activity.

Don, the farmer, asked for help planting Kale on our first day back. Don prepared a bed with the tractor. There are fifty 200 foot long beds that have to be tilled to prepared he soil for planting. The beds are put to rest in late November. Don adds compost to the beds and they lie fallow over the winter.

Don had planted Siberian Kale seeds over a month ago in flats with 128 cells. The flats are set up in the hoop house tunnel to germinate. The tight, white roots made it necessary to push them out of each cell. Many of the cells had two plants which had to be separated. Don set up three strings the length of the beds and laid a 100 foot measuring tape along the edge. “Plant the kale plugs a foot apart.”

Down on hands and knees, we pushed soil to make a hole, dropped in the root, and back filled. There were three of us starting on opposite sides.

It turned warmer as we worked. We had five trays to plant. It took us about 90 minutes. Once they were in the ground, Don watered each with a fish oil emulsion solution.

While we worked, conversations linked us together. I asked what happened to our big Norway Maple tree that we sat under to take breaks. Don said that the nuns suspected that the tree was dying and had it cut down. The tree had its own microclimate. On hot days, there was always a breeze under this tree. I’d sit and watch others and view the scene.

When we arrived, I heard the call of Ravens who have taken up residence in a huge water tower just south of the farm. Ravens have moved in three years ago. They prefer high places to roost. I have often seen them perched on the top of the five-story Dominican Mother House. I relish their calls as I weed.

Visiting the farm is a feel good activity. We all love the outdoors, open sky, the beds with green vegetables, and the cooperation as we all pitch in to make it work. On pick up day, the produce is set out on tables under a tent. The first thing when we return home is to put our share in the fridge, change clothes, wash up, have lunch, and…take a well-deserved nap.