“The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.” - Pascal

Last night a piglet slept in our bed. This is how we roll at Kittleson Family Farm.

Dan and I have been reading a book called Restoration Agriculture by Mark Shepard. It's about a lot of things but the gist is how farming took a sharp turn last century and what use to be sustainable went 180 and became counter-productive and destructive. He offers some simple and profound insights into what happened and what is needed to restore our food systems.

One of the ideas he shares for farm success is the less-than-secret notion of survival of the fittest. He applies this across the board on his farm, from animals to plants to systems. He focuses less on nurturing everything, but more on creating hearty systems and letting them thrive. If a plant or animal can not take care of itself, he doesn't want it to be part of his farm.

Harsh.

As I type this, I've got a little hypothermic and abandoned piglet nestled in my shirt. I understand the principles of the strong are what keep us strong, but I struggle with my own nature to nurture the weak, the needy, the ones who struggle to keep up. I want to be part of benevolent nature that intercedes and cradles and gives pause to harsh reality. If I see a glimmer of hope, I hold on and fight. I want the weak to succeed. I want the weak to grow strong and triumph.


And yet I know that this does not a strong farm make. I am willing to work harder – maybe less smarter – at times. I know that this is my own weakness and strength.