Bring It On!
Something funny happens when we deal with small businesses. I know it's not just me, because I hear YOU do it, too.
We WANT to support our local businesses, we LOVE small farms, but because we know the people who run them, because we view them as “real people,” we feel...compassion? concern?
It's something we don't feel when we order online or shop at Walmart. I'm not sure exactly WHAT to call it, but here's how it goes:
Let me take "my grain guy" Doug, for example, since I mentioned him the other day in my blog about connection with local farms. Someone is talking about the challenges of getting clean food you can trust. So I start to mention that "I know a guy." But then I think, "Oh, I know he's awfully busy. I don't want to overwhelm him. Maybe he can't take on more people."
But wait! Shouldn't I let HIM make that decision???
Folks, I catch myself doing this with my grain guy and my beef guy, my naturopath and my pig farmer, my milk lady and my honey supplier.
And I hear you do it with me, kindly, hesitantly..."I don't know if you have any extra chicken, but I've got a friend who's interested. Can you take ON more people? It's okay if you can't...I can give her some of mine..."
I can! I am! I do! Yes, please!
Yes, we ARE a small family farm. I won't be able to supply, say, a restaurant! But can I take on more chicken customers? You bet! And if I have people calling and I don't have enough chicken for them, I can handle that, too, because it will give me the clues I need to plan for growth.
Another piece to this puzzle is "intimidation." People are often intimidated by small farmers in a way that they aren't with grocery store employees. Someone mentioned recently feeling intimidated when they go to a farmer's market. ME TOO!!! It's awkward to go up to total strangers and ask them about their food...especially if we might decide we don't want to buy! So we smile, look away, and hurry past…or we buy something we don’t really want because we’re embarrassed to admit that we can’t afford their prices.
Have I got a witness?
What happens on a family-farm scale is that people LIKE the idea of buying from a small farm, but they're intimidated..or just busy. Most of the time they get the number of the farmer...and they never call. How do I know? First, because I do it! I got the number recently of a local dry bean farmer, and it took me about three months to call him. And I also know it because you guys tell me all the time, "I told someone about you, and she's really excited about your chicken!" And I hear...crickets! ;-)
What does this mean, then, for sharing our farm with your friends?
Sure, by all means give them my phone number...they can call or text any time.
If they are willing (because I get it: this might be awkward, so do this only if it is comfortable) share their e-mail address and/or phone number with ME, and I'll make the first contact.
BEST OF ALL? Bring them out to the farm with you when you get your chicken, and let them meet us and see if we “click”!
So, yes! I would be thrilled and so thankful if you would tell your friends about us.