What a Season!

As the mornings get chillier during these last days of summer, our 2023 apprentices are finishing their final days on the farms, from Minnesota to London. This has been an extraordinary second year for ASLF!

These aspiring agriculturalists are packing up their soil-caked boots and heading to colleges, old jobs, new jobs, home towns, and fresh frontiers. They have written to us in texts and emails, sharing photos and stories. Here are a few samples of what they wrote.

“Everything that we consume has so much unseen labor and love behind it.” -Annabel Nied, Rogue Creamery

“That place really felt like home.” -Abigail Greendyk, New Leaf Agriculture

“My life is forever changed.” -Carrie Stenerson, Firefly Farms

"I was humbled everyday - by the other farmers, and by nature: our dependence on it, our awe in the witness of its sheer glory. I learned a million things.” -Rebecca Huang, Star Route Farm

“Little did I know, I’d be walking into a tiny farm, with a large mission, deep history, and collaborative community outreach.” -Anaya Harry, Southside Community Farm

“The farmer must manage all the moving parts in such a way that the animals are happy, the product is good, the customer is satisfied, the family is content, and the farm is afloat. This list is exhausting in itself.”

-Reed Hartzog, Newman Farm

“I'm learning about good herdsmanship and the importance of community for small farms. I hope to carry these learnings when I open my own micro-dairy.” -Kristen Thesing, Catskill Wagyu at Hilltop Farm

This only scratches the surface!

The farms and farmers who hosted these amazing young people are the backbone of ASLF. This weekend I’m feeling grateful for their collective labor – not only the daily work that keeps their animals, crops and community healthy, but their dedication to ASLF to educate, inspire and fight with us side by side for a more sustainable planet.

With gratitude for an amazing second year,

Susie Cover, Executive Director