Catching Up.
Welcome back. This semi-regularly scheduled post has been delayed by greater priorities. They’ve been quite productive, however, and I’m excited to share our progress as we move into Month 2 of 2022. As predicted, the supply chain volatility continues to increase sourcing and overhead. Freight costs have gone up as much as 300% for us at the brewery. Workforce shortages in the supply chain continue to add to both cost and delays in material sourcing. Yet here in Ord, we’re well-staffed and able to continue to source many of our needs locally. Those dollars stay in our community and they build an economic base that is far more equitable than our current one.
Nearly 18 months after I started this little side gig, the need for our message is ever more important. Hyper-local, self-supportive, community driven economies will be the solution to this outcome. As I continue to build these robust, locally-controlled systems with my partners and community, we will continue to share the message that there is a future for America that isn’t as susceptible to disruption or collapse. I feel very fortunate to have lives in this area during the pandemic. Our remoteness was such an asset.
Fall 2021 and early winter were productive on many fronts. I shared our business story, and desire to build a vertically integrated supply chain, with college students at UNL’s Engler program for entrepreneurship. My hope is to inspire young entrepreneurs to seek rural business opportunities.
Lately, much of my time has been in a high school gym, watching my sons play basketball. I also spent time in the field chasing wild protein. A mid-season shoulder injury unfortunately had me miss out on 4 weeks of prime hunting time. A reminder that I’m not getting any younger.
We also continue our quest at Scratchtown to develop local sources for materials and ingredients. Christina and I try our best to grow as much produce as we can to feed our small family. It makes a dent, but it’s not nearly enough. We are looking to expand our perennial fruit-bearing brambles and trees. it. I’m excited to plant a hearty number of native fruit trees this year to really establish our orchard.
That’s the long and short of it. It was a fun few months.
Hunting upland food plots with my oldest son.
