On finding meaningful work and a wall worth climbing.
Last week saw our largest box count to date!
40 boxes!
It was a proud moment for us, and one that tested the limits of our packing and distribution processes.
A large part of this milestone came from a purchase by a local tech company.
To my surprise, the company learned of our farm via Google (apparently we are surfacing for “Best farm box in San Diego”—niiiicceeee).
Immediately upon arriving at their campus, I had flashbacks to my prior career as a tech guy.
Only this time, I was a visitor.
As I was escorted through the naturally lit halls of the main building, I could faintly make out which team occupied specific areas of the floor.
The oddly shaped ergonomic keyboards and large dual monitors hinted that I was in the presence of engineers, while a row of neatly organized desks with bright screens showcasing an array of color palettes suggested I may be nearing the design team enclave.
Once I had finished setting up our farmers market display and arranging each Growers Box for employees to pick up at lunch, I was invited by an employee to grab a free coffee at the campus’ onsite coffee bar.
“Free coffee? So cool!”
I recalled the onsite coffee bar at my old tech company, and, looking back, I definitely took that perk for granted.
Now, as a visitor and someone who spends most of his days covered in dirt, I can honestly say this cup of coffee was a real treat.
As we sipped our coffees, I shared with my new corporate friend how I once worked at a tech company. We swapped stories about teams and projects we had both worked on, as well as our favorite spots in San Francisco (which she had recently moved away from).
She asked if I would ever come back to tech, and I told her I was pretty content on the journey I was on, despite all the difficulties and uncertainty it presented.
Still, I told her how much I loved programming and that I had even coded our website and its custom credit ordering system.
Driving back home, I reflected on the experience and was reminded of a quote I had come across during my tech career that may have ushered forward my eventual departure from the industry.
People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.
Looking back, I felt I had climbed as far as I wanted to go on the ladder at my old job. And while the view was nice, something still felt missing. I suppose it was that my ladder was leaning against the wrong wall at that time.
I have plenty of friends living happy, successful lives working for their companies. But years ago, I was beginning to understand that I wanted something different. Eventually, I decided to act on that feeling, even without knowing exactly where it would lead.
I’m happy to report the wall my ladder leans against now feels quite solid.
Sure, I curse the heat and the pests and all the hardships that come with farming at times, but I do love growing and connecting people with real, healthy food and discovering ways to make that food more accessible and enjoyable for families to experience.
I’m pretty low on this new ladder of mine as we speak. It’s quite creaky and rickety too. But weeks like this one remind me why I started climbing.
My heart is calling me to keep going, and that is something I can’t ignore.
From our October 5 newsletter. If this is the kind of farm you want to support, our CSA is the most direct way to do it.