Sounds of the Farms

From the beginning of my internship at Franklinton Farms, I’ve noticed the prevalence of music here. Whether it’s Rebecca singing along to Julia Jacklin’s honest, wavering vocals in the office, or some fuzzy shoegaze blaring from the speaker in the Grub building, music expands to every inch of the Farms. But no matter whose playlist is queued, the songs that fill the air weave us all together like a threaded needle creating a tapestry. We share the collective experience of hearing the same notes, same rhythms––a small but powerful way to unite us.

I found these CDs in the van while on the way to the Worthington Farmers Market. I love each of these albums independently, and I love how this collection of them shows the playful, easy-going energy of the Farms.

I’ve spent the past few months observing all I could about the Farms. I’m interning through the Minor in Professional Writing program at The Ohio State University, a program that, among many other things, teaches students how to evaluate and understand the professional environment at a workplace. After a semester of watching my coworkers cheer each other on with smiles in the office or share laughter and food around the potluck table, I can say with certainty that the environment at the Farms is one of togetherness. This organization is a team, a family, working in tandem to bring its mission to life. It requires (apologies for the pun) harmony.

And that’s exactly what the Franklinton Farms team has. To me, that harmony is best shown through the music here. It’s a surprising and eclectic mix. I’ve gone from gushing about Snail Mail and Sleater-Kinney with Nathan to being impressed that Michelle could name a Waxahatchee song from the first few notes to reminiscing the Spice Girls with Rebecca. One of my coworkers put it well when they said, “There have been times when someone comes into this space with a music taste that doesn’t exactly sit well with me, but after weeks go by, I actually find myself enjoying it. That always cues me in on the closeness I’ve developed with someone.” Music bonds us. It hollows out a place for relationships and connection to first take root, and then to blossom and grow.

This is where our microgreens grow, in a small room inside the Franklinton Farms office. I peeked at the micros whenever I was in the office. It’s amazing to me that they can grow right there, in the middle of a building.

I’ve often wondered if the energy that teems from person to person at the Farms is what helps our seeds mature into gorgeous vegetables. I like to imagine that the seeds are inspired by the hands that plant them. Could the joyful conversation that falls on them be just as important as the water, sunlight, and healthy soil they require to build strong roots? Are they able to grow in abundance because they are planted in an environment that has an abundance of friendship and love?

Honestly, I don’t have that answer. I’ve scoured the internet for scientific research about the effects of music on plants, and the results seem to vary. I wonder if the music moves within our farmers, joining them together, and pours out a stream of energy onto the seeds. Whether or not there’s data to back up my hypothesis, the crops at the Farms are getting fuller and greener every day, and the music never stops.

Want to hear the Sounds of the Farms wherever you go? Check out our playlist on Spotify.

Stunning new growth.