May/June 2022 - 28

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
marathonof farming
The
By Tom Burchell
Burchell Nurseries Inc.
C
onsistency, longevity,
sustainability - these are all
words associated with our
farming industry. They speak of not
giving up, being in for the long haul, a
marathon, not a sprint.
As one tasked to work the land for
the long haul, I look at each season with
anticipation, taking a deep breath as
winter changes to spring and ushers in
28 MAY/JUNE 2022
the blossoms, the new leaves and life
renewed. The task is laid out ahead, like
the beginning of a marathon. Take off
too fast in the beginning and the pace
will quickly eat up your reserves, leaving
nothing for the end. Take off too slowly,
and you will be passed in the middle.
That's where training at the right pace
pays off, taking stock of the ability to
finish the race strong.
Never before have we been tasked
with such a marathon in front of us. As
farmers we are asked to do more with
less. Where there were once numerous
aid stations along the way, now just a
few remain along our 26.2 mile course
as our water, pesticides, fertilizers and
labor have all become more expensive,
fewer and farther between. Instead of
getting a reprieve every mile along the
way, we now have to trudge on to the
next aid station, sometimes what seems
like miles apart. It even appears that the
fans who once lined the streets cheering
us on are now gone or have changed into
critics, heckling as we pass.
" Just give up! You will never make it.
That's my water! "
It's all we hear now.
Along this marathon, we are required
to not only sustain our own needs,
but to sustain the needs of others who
can't run, or grow food for themselves.
Sustainability means meeting our own

May/June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2022

May/June 2022 - 1
May/June 2022 - 2
May/June 2022 - 3
May/June 2022 - 4
May/June 2022 - 5
May/June 2022 - 6
May/June 2022 - 7
May/June 2022 - 8
May/June 2022 - 9
May/June 2022 - 10
May/June 2022 - 11
May/June 2022 - 12
May/June 2022 - 13
May/June 2022 - 14
May/June 2022 - 15
May/June 2022 - 16
May/June 2022 - 17
May/June 2022 - 18
May/June 2022 - 19
May/June 2022 - 20
May/June 2022 - 21
May/June 2022 - 22
May/June 2022 - 23
May/June 2022 - 24
May/June 2022 - 25
May/June 2022 - 26
May/June 2022 - 27
May/June 2022 - 28
May/June 2022 - 29
May/June 2022 - 30
May/June 2022 - 31
May/June 2022 - 32
May/June 2022 - 33
May/June 2022 - 34
May/June 2022 - 35
May/June 2022 - 36
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/january-february-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/november-december-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/september-october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/july-august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/may-june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/march-april-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/january-february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/november-december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/september-october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/july-august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/may-june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/march-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/january-february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/november-december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/september-october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/july-august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/may-june-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/march-april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/january-february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/winter-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/fall-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/summer-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/NNG/winter-2021
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com