Fields of Plenty

Mable as a bride in 1903 Although women make up 51% of the world’s population, and 43% of all farm workers, and grow more than half of the world’s food, little is heard of our women farmers. The land passed to the son of the family and the women have been invisible.  Today, I am talking about a woman who bridged the 19 th and 20 th centuries. She was a smart businesswoman, an expert farmer, a devoted wife and mother, and someone who triumphed over adversity and celebrated life. Meet Mable Garfield Talley Rotthouse.  I am fortunate to have a heritage that honors the women in our family, and I am fortunate to have so many smart, talented, loving, and capable women who have set such a high standard for me.   Mable is my maternal great-grandmother. Mable Garfield Talley was born June 1, 1880, to William Talley (1845-1923) and Rachel Emma Baker (1850-1935). Her two older siblings both died in the first year of life, and her sister Anna, died at age 27....

I am a peach snob. I admit it. I can only eat our fabulous, fresh, tree ripened peaches. Juicy, sweet. I usually eat the ones with a little bruise on them that don’t sell. I cut one open and eat the whole thing. It is because I am a peach snob that we do not carry other peaches in the farm market once our peach season is done. It’s why I say, “eat local.” But let’s face it. It’s a long time between the end of September (the end of peach season) and the end of June (when peaches start again). Nine months in fact. Sometimes the longing for a taste of summer is overwhelming.   A South American peach in February just does not come close to what I want. And hurray, there is a solution! Our good friend, Rebecca, cans a lot of peaches for us. A lot.   And she uses hardly any sugar, just enough to keep the peaches from discoloring. They are delicious. Amazing. Stunning.   They taste like summer peaches because they are summer peaches. And they taste like peaches, not su...