I’m always telling people that growing produce commercially is simply a head game. Success has everything to do with one’s ability to stay on task and charge throught the many small jobs that make up a day-in-the-life of a produce farmer. No single task takes a lot of time or is really that difficult, but I need to pound through dozens and dozens of items a day just to stay even and not drown in a tidal wave of weeds and substandard crops.
This is where the power playlist comes in. After I woke up yesterday, I did my usual routine – water, yoga, coffee – good combination right? Feeling sluggish and a bit overwhelmed, I was inspired to make a playlist in Apple Music I aptly named ‘Kicking Butt.’ I recalled my playlist of about 6 years ago of the same name and remembered some solid days of making things happen on the farm. I told myself, yes, this is the medicine you need right now, Ryan.
So, I started downloading songs and albums like crazy – The Who, MGMT, Stringsteen, even the Bellamy Brothers. I found power ballads, super-charged electronica, and even some hiphop. After a good hour of tinkering, I set out to give it a try.
Armed with my DeWitt Hoe, I hit play and the end of a row of weedy winter squash as Anderson Paak’s ‘Come Down’ hit my ears with the world’s best bassline for a warm up. Next, came Nivarna’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ at 8 in the morning, followed by ‘Angel from Montgomery,’ ‘Let Your Love Flow,’ and ‘Rock the Casbah.’ Running the risk of sounding like the Time Life infomercial, the hits just kept on coming: Lisztomania, Paper Planes, Barb O’Riley, Atlantic City (The Band version), Beast of Burden, Maggie May, Timber, and Like a Rolling Stone.
Out of breath and sweating in the humid July heat, I wondered why people buy gym memberships. An Apple Music subscription and a $40 hoe and a person can actually make money 🙂 I’d say the list needs a little fine tuning over the season – I’ll work on the abrupt transitions from a Rolling Stones number to ‘Blurred Lines’ but we have a good start.
In the box:
- Snap Peas: Don’t shell these things – edible pod.
- Radishes
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- A few garlic scapes
- Westlander Kale
- Green Leaf lettuce or salad mix
Lida Farm 