Grains aren't OK

This is the first harvest from my very own farm. I've looked forward to this moment for years, since I first dedicated myself to farming for the people. It's taken struggle, patience, enduring indignities, and help from friends to make this happen. I lost some of my crop this year to wild animals and unusual weather, but what feels most disappointing is the crop wastage incurred by the grain harvester -- my former employer and mentor -- dismissing my concerns.

20% of my grain is scattered in the field. How'd the happen? The person who harvested is a new farmer going into his 7th season. But he's the only game in town for processing grain and he discourages others to get such equipment for fear of jeopardizing his business. With this monopoly, what could I do when he showed up with a combine he's never used before and said I'd be his guinea pig? I needed to harvest and already exhausted other possibilities. I suggested he set the combine at the most conservative settings. He elided my comment by saying that he set the combine for "wheat" and it should be fine.

Harvesting

It wasn't. An acre later, some 500 lbs of red fife lay strewn across the ground. I kneeled in the dirt to count my precious seed. I had so looked forward to celebrating this day, but I can't help but feel crushed. It's not only the loss of grains that I had promised to a baker friend, nor the damper on my farm's growth, but my feeling of betrayal from someone I had respected and trusted. 

As small farmers in a new grain movement we should stick together because there are bigger fish to worry about. Yet here's this person who says he cares about building community, increasing heirloom grains, and supporting new farmers who didn't mutter a hint of apology for destroying my crop, my efforts, and my livelihood.

Grains on the ground

I wrote a description of what happened for a lawyer friend of mine who will help me figure out compensation for crop wastage. I want to find a solution that's fair. I told the harvester that I want to have a sit-down conversation, but he stands by his offer of 100 lbs.

Salvaged Sonora and Red Fife