Urban Farmer?

 
Close your eyes and imagine.....the rooster crows as the sun peeks over the horizon.  Acres of wheat and other grains in perfect rows glisten with the morning dew.  The brick red barn houses the cows, pigs, and horses who are beginning to stir.  The farmer straps on his overalls, dons his straw hat, and laces his boots.  He mounts the gigantic green John Deere tractor, cranks the engine, and begins his daily work.  The white picket fence keeps all of this farming ideal in check. 

I am not a part of this ideal.  This farmer wears flip flops.  I wake up to the blaring of an alarm clock, and walk out to the yard to tend my farm.  With my daughter's red Radio Flyer wagon in tow, I weed the beds and use my state-of-the-art irrigation system to give everyone a drink.  Three backyard 2' x 12' plots of lettuce, radishes, shallots, and tomatoes all wait to greet me.  The strawberries in the front of the house are beginning to flower, assuring me that there will be beautiful red berries to enjoy.  Herbs grow in between hydrangeas, and will soon be delicious compliments to the tasty veggies on the way.

My desire is to become more self-sufficient and to reduce the number of miles my family's food travels before we consume it.  Though I have much to learn about the food growing process, I am an urban farmer.