Thank you for helping to launch the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund. You are indeed a co-founder of what we hope will grow into an option for all young adults, to pursue experiences on farms, in sustainable agriculture. Thank you for pioneering this program and for helping keep Anne’s energy alive in such a positive way.

Please answer the following questions for us to help make the program better in the future. We know that in the first year, things can be challenging but we hope you had a meaningful experience, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts about your month on the farm.

Please return the completed form to: Patrick Martins patrick@annesaxelbylegacyfund.org and Pam Saxelby pam@annesaxelbylegacyfund.org 

1. What were the best parts of your ASLF apprenticeship?

What an amazing experience. Like I said in my video and on Zoom with Patrick and Maya, I believe this to be one of the top five experiences in my professional and educational life. As I reflect back on the month, now that I have been home for several days, I just can’t stop thinking about how lucky I was to be able to really dive into working on a farm and making cheese. Without a doubt, the most fulfilling part of the apprenticeship was working alongside Melanie. She is amazing. She is kind, welcoming and generous of spirit. She taught me her craft and her process and at the same time was open to ideas that I had about making things better. From day one, I felt like I was a part of the team. I was treated with respect. My questions and ideas were heard and accepted. Over the month, I was given increasing responsibility and was allowed to work independently. When I messed up (I once dropped about 1-2 lbs of curd on the floor as we were hooping), I was encouraged to keep moving and not focus on it too much. Melanie and I really developed a good rhythm over the month and I felt as if I could have continued to work with her for a lot longer. 

Another amazing part was just being on the farm. Seeing the cows every morning and evening during milking time, watching them graze in the pastures. Feeding the pigs my food scraps and seeing them slurp up the whey that was leftover from our cheese makes. Going on “donkey walks” with Melanie’s kids several times. Soaking in the pond after a long day scrubbing dishes and turning cheese. I woke up with the sun (or actually before it!) and went to bed with it, too. The rhythm of farm life is definitely different than my life in Brooklyn and I came to appreciate it. There are so many frogs, birds, rabbits and other wild creatures, like fisher cats, on the farm. I camp and hike regularly, but living on this working farm for an extended period of time gave me a great appreciation for rural life. 

2. What was the most challenging aspect of the apprenticeship?

Honestly I think the most challenging aspect for me was the physical nature of cheesemaking. Little did I know, as Anne explained in “The New Rules of Cheese,” cheesemaking is about 75% dishwashing and elbow grease. The first week, I was definitely not strong enough to pick up a big bucket full of water or whey, let alone do it over and over again. The repetitive tasks involved in washing dishes after a make caused my carpal tunnel to really flare up. The first week especially I was physically exhausted. Over the month though, I got stronger and was able to figure out ways to modify my movements to cause less stress on my arms and shoulders. By the end, I could pick up the giant buckets of water and whey no problem. That was a satisfying feeling!

3. What surprised you most about the experience and what lessons will you take with you in the years to come?

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed that schedule. I am not normally a morning person but I came to appreciate rising early (as long as I went to be earlier) and having some time in the morning to drink coffee while the sun was coming up. 

As the month went on, I also was surprised by how little I wanted to leave the farm. I left every couple of days, of course, to go buy groceries and supplies, but most of the time, I just wanted to be on the farm. It was so relaxing and enjoyable to wind down in the pond and watch the birds swooping around at the end of a long day. 

I also really was happy to see that I was satisfied with a more physical job. I have worked in an office for many years and it felt so satisfying to have a job that made me feel physically empowered. 

What will I take with me for years to come? A couple come to mind: the knowledge that I can still learn and explore new things; Melanie’s management style; the fact that I need time out of NYC by myself every year….

4. Did you feel prepared for the journey?

Yes, I did. I was so ready to be on my own and in a quiet place for a few weeks. The farm was like a haven. Work hard, relax/rest hard.

5. What would you like to see more of/ less of in subsequent years?

I honestly wouldn’t change any part of my experience.

6. What are some words/ phrases to describe your time as an ASLF apprentice?

Exploration, self-esteem building, gratitude, fun, friendship, privilege, peaceful, partnership, creativity, hard work, rest, spiritual

7. Did you make any lasting friendships or decisions about your future based off your time with ASLF?

Melanie will be a friend for life, of that I am sure. I already had a pretty good idea that I was going to be moving my career more into the culinary arts realm but this confirmed it. This apprenticeship gave me the time and space to explore and brainstorm about my next steps. I feel like I was able to do more career exploration and dreaming in a month than I had in the previous year. 

8. Any other notes for us?

Stony Pond Farm specific notes: this really is a site for a more mature apprentice. Melanie and Tyler work long hours and have 2 kids that they home school and while they are friendly and open, they don’t really have the time or capacity to entertain an apprentice in the evening (nor should they!!). Apprentices at SPF should be comfortable cooking and spending time (evenings and weekends) by themselves. I was more than happy to do this, but not everyone might be. Also, having the rental car was key.