Greenbank: Farm's on the right path

Thank you, Greenbank Farm Board of Directors, for sticking your necks out

and making a decision that is not universally very popular. I wish I could

say I was on the board when that decision was made. Early on, when we first

acquired the farm, my vision was to have a farm occupied by masses of

island volunteers, stepping forward to make this farm a success.

What a disappointment when many of the early duties were filled by paid

employees. I felt like I was in the way when I tried to help.

What a disappointment when, instead of local merchandise, much of the

"memorabilia" sold at the farm came from China or Indonesia.

It's about time to get back to some of the original dreams . . . where the

farm with the addition of a coffee shop becomes a gathering place for

islanders, north and south . . . where the farm is a showcase for island

artists and island products . . . where the farm with its organic

certification becomes a demonstration and experimental site for different

types of farm-grown products.

It's about time for all of us locals to volunteer a small amount of time

(two or four hours a day, week or month) to make Greenbank Farm what we

had envisioned five years ago. I'll do my hours. How about you?

I know it's easy to find fault with just about anything, but now's the time

to become doers . . . not undoers or just be'ers. If we want to see

success, then We have to get in there and make things happen. Don't blame

anyone else. It's our farm.

Recently I read a resolution which fits the farm: "Resolve to stay

brutally optimistic."

I hope to see all you optimists at the farm!!

Vern Olsen

Greebank

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