Tulip Larson's Senior Project!

 I know it's only Wednesday but wow  so much has happened already. My relationship with Chang was slightly strained today when I refused to pat her after realizing her nose was covered in mystery blood. She then later caught and toyed with a mouse, flinging it RIGHT at me! I felt like this was some sort of retribution for a lack of pats earlier, so I naturally forgave her - although I still felt terrible for the mouse. In more cheerful news, we found a nest full of newborn birds nestled in some weeds!! And, probably the highlight of my week if not month: Syd and I got to feed a calf!! Because his mother tragically died while giving birth and he needs to be bottle-fed each day. Juvencio had run out of milk yesterday and so all day the calf (I call him Tommy) was lowing. Finally, Juvencio caved and went out to buy some powdered milk and then let us do the honors of feeding! While none of these moments connect directly to my actual vegetable farming work, they illustrate a lesson...

I've decided to spend the next three weeks of my life working at a CSA farm with Sydney called "La Finquita Del Buho" right outside of Hillsboro. La Finquita is a beautiful family farm, founded by Lyn and her husband Juvencio - who met in Honduras during Lyn's time in the Peace Corps. I chose to work on a farm first because I've always been interested in agriculture; growing up I helped my Grandparent's on their Montana cattle farm each summer during the auction season. I thought that since I'd experienced the livestock side of ag, delving into the produce side would be a great opportunity for growth and learning. In addition to my curiosity into farm life, I chose to work at La Finquita because I knew I wanted to spend my entire senior project outside, moving. The pandemic kept me inside more than I would have liked, and so being outdoors was one of my senior project priorities. Speaking of working outside, my first project  goal revolves around the physi...