A Day In the Life of an Asparagus Farmer

What shall I say about my experience here in Port Burwell?

I love the remoteness of my current home. Although the mailing address is for Port Burwell, “The Ark” and Sandy Shore Farms’ are in the middle of Lakeshore Rd. very distant from both Port Burwell and Port Rowan. (In other words, I am situated in the middle of no where). There is great beauty in the remoteness that I appreciate:

The crisp stars in the night sky
The setting sun as the backdrop to preceding fields of asparagus, tobacco and wind turbines.
Walking across the asparagus field to the sand cliffs and the vast view of Lake Erie.
Walking left either to work, or down to a graveyard, elk farm, and of course, encountering some road kill along the way.
Walking right to either visit the Konrad or Wall family or Dan’s place for NHL playoff games - these are people who make this place feel like home.
Appreciating the simple things of life – community and God’s creation.

Living here “The Ark” with my 11 new friends and the community surrounding us has been nothing but enjoyable. I enjoy the fact that they will feel like family by the time we leave for Guatemala on July 3rd.

How has Andrew been keeping in shape on this fine program? I’m glad you asked. As most of you know, we work in asparagus land for Sandy Shore Farms – the family business run by the Konrad’s and Wall’s. On average, 65 hours a week over the 6 day work week. I am working in the Pack Barn where the asparagus is prepared for distribution, as a Line Supplier. This means that I lug 1200 pound skids of asparagus to the start of two lines to be processed for distribution. This means I walk into a very cold cooler where the asparagus is stored to maintain its freshness. I then lug the asparagus out, and lift each of the lugs onto the line. I’m getting quite the work out each day.

The work at the asparagus barn has been challenging at time, until it became the normal routine - wake up, work, eat, sleep…repeat. In the pack barn, I have been immersed in the Mexican Mennonite culture, as they form the majority of the employees (More thoughts on their culture at another time). I have been able to practice my Spanish and learn a few phrases in Low German (such as “no I do not have a wife”). The long hours – sometimes from 6:30 a.m. to as late as 8:15 p.m. – were hard to get accustomed to. After long days of work, the dinner table was filled with laughter as we all found everything hilarious as we were purely exhausted.

I will now try to keep you updated weekly with thoughts on my refining passions and new adventures.

Until then, Andrew

P.S. Here is a picture of the family, after an ice cream trip in Port Rowan.

Sunday Sushi Supper y Sand Scaling Sabbath

I hope you enjoy the attempt at alliteration in my title.

I arrived in Port Burwell on Tuesday to a small group of four, to watch the summer student team grow. We are living in a renovated church turn dormitory, called "The Ark", with a big screen projector and unlimited food. It's very comfortable. The landscape here is very beautiful, situated close to Lake Erie in the middle of nowhere on Lakeshore Rd. This is where the 12 students on the summer team for Global Shore Opportunities will be living.

The first week consisted of ESL training which was enjoyable and informative. (I have lain down...yes, that is proper grammar). It was rouch learning on the cozy couches! It was great hearing about Tizate, Guatemala and the village I will soon call home.

The week was full of various movies - I now deem I will only watch educational movies - or ones I will find practical benefits from - such as Motorcycle Diaries (a must see! and good review of Spanish) based on Che Guaverra, and the not so intriguing, yet very funny, Nacho Libre (a must see! but in the sense of the quotes) For the Jack Black Lovers, I love the Encarnacion song!

Saturday night the 7 of us who had arrived, experienced "Richard Simmons Sweating to the 80s". One word to describe it "outrageously creepy". Wild I know. Nothing better than that to bond with people I just met!

On the Sabbath, we explore the sand dunes at the beach near the Ark. After the sand dune jumping to the greatness of Lake Erie, we scaled the cliff. A challenging feat with my first war wound - a sliced thumb. I'm okay, just don't pick up old glass you find! We found a deer skull which made it all worth it.

That night - we had a bonfire on the beach behind the Konrad's place. The warmth of a fire and the roar of the waves - as the sun was setting. Lake Erie provides such great scenery.

Soon, the whole team of 12 will be here, and I look forward to the many memories to come. Soon, asparagus land will consume our time in the packing plant. The ease into summer helps relax my brain after a busy school year. This summer is going to be a hoot.

Always and forever, Andrew.

P.S. Leave your comments :)

Off I Go!

Once upon a time, charming young lad, discovered an opportunity - a global one with some shores - Global Shore Opportunities. They offered a Summer Student Program - where you work on an asparagus farm in Port Burwell, Ontario, living in community with 12 students - for a two month term. Then for the months of July and August, this community lives in a small town, El Tizate, Guatemala, where we love the people we encounter, as we are immersed in their culture and lives.

He submitted his application, and much to his delight, he was accepted. Now, in t-minus 1 hour, I will be heading off to Port Burwell.

The last few days I have been at home and have come up with a few conclusions:
1. My family and friends are great.
2. I hate packing (I wish I could really take the scripture, "Take nothing with you" literally)
3. William's Coffee Pub still is amazing.

We'll chat more later. I'll try to post a weekly update, as the adventure unfolds.

Andy