Meet the Team: Lillian (and pics from her Mexico trip)

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been writing the farm newsletter, and thought it was time to introduce myself, especially as I continue to write in first person.

I’m Lilly, the person seated in the middle of Juanca (on the left) and Pillo (on the right). I have been at Rootbound Farm for 4 seasons and am part of the pack shed crew. I have mostly been seasonal the past couple of summers because I’m in graduate school in Mississippi during the school year, but I look forward to returning each May.

Pack shed work has always been my favorite part of farming, the organization, attention to detail, and routine that the pack shed requires is what I enjoy most. I get to appreciate the work that the harvest crew does when they bring in the loads of vegetables, and understand that without the work in the greenhouse prior, we wouldn’t have any produce, so despite working in different spheres, we are all working as a team. Pillo, Cutter, and I keep the pack shed running usually with a mix of 90’s country music (thanks to Cutter for introducing me to the legend who is Jo Dee Messina), traditional Mexican Banda music (shout out to Pillo for showing me the pleasure of a large brass section!), and my personal favorite oldies and Beyoncé.

Farming is a special kind of work, the days can be long, hot, wet, or tiring but when you see what has been accomplished in a day (let alone a full season), it is so rewarding. I feel fortunate that the crew that works out at Rootbound is especially positive and comical to work alongside of. Over the past 4 years I have learned enough Spanish along the way to make jokes and share stories and have been able to become close friends with many of my coworkers.

This past winter I was finally able to visit many of my coworkers in their hometowns in Nayarit, Mexico. I met their wives and children who I’d heard so much about and had met over phone calls or had seen in photos. I spent New Years on the beach with Juanca and his family, fishing in the ocean and grilling carne asada at his home that night. I got to meet my coworker Juan Jose’s 15 day old baby and spend a day on the San Pedro Mezquital River with 6 of my coworkers and their families, enjoying a large spread of food, a dip in the water, and a boat ride. My friendships have been just another special aspect of this work and the environment that Ben and Bree have cultivated at Rootbound. I am appreciative of all the CSA members who support and love the end result of all the work we do on the farm.