With the major production of getting our family farm started up this Spring, it was getting harder and harder not having an official farm name. Lineups with local markets and such were being done and we were still without a name. We knew they were probably not going to be too impressed with “the property” , which is how we’ve referred to it since we bought it.
Our family had discussed names in the past, but all the ideas thrown out just didn’t seem to fit. Daddy was looking for something unique and distinguished. I do remember one name, in particular, that had been mentioned. It was “Vision Farms”. We thought it was kinda hard to understand though, when spoken. But of course Momma commented that we could tell people it was the southern way to say “Vision Forum”. LOL! So yes, we had fun throwing out ideas, but the conversations never really came to any conclusions.
One evening back at the beginning of January, we were in a time crunch and needed a name before Noah could return a phone call about permission to mention our farm in a magazine article. We sat up late talking over what we wanted the name to express. We wanted a name that would stick out and that someone would remember, not wanting to be confused with one of the hundreds of already well named farms. Because, you must know, for us it wasn’t just picking a name for the family farm business, it was going to be the name of our property that would distinguish our family and future generations who live on the land.
Finally, a name came up (proposed by Daddy) that had been mentioned before, but not seriously considered (though it had been my personal favorite from the start). The more it was talked about, the more everyone agreed it was just right!
We didn’t announce it until a domain name had been saved and such. But now, without further ado…..the name:
Ror@ V@lley F@rms
There is a story behind the name which is one of our family’s favorites. Rora is a valley in the Italian Alps that was home to the Waldensians, Protestants during centuries of persecution by the Catholic Church. I would highly recommend the book ,Rora, by James Byron Huggins. We’ve read it as a family several times. It tells the story of Joshua Gianavel and the Waldensians during an amazing time of persecution (the Inquisition) and their eventual triumph despite overwhelming obstacles.
Daddy thought that Ror@ V@lley F@rms would be an appropriate name for our farm for these reasons:
- The people of Rora were committed to serving the Lord.
- The people persevered in their faith even during great difficulties and when under great persecution.
- They were known as prosperous farmers and craftsmen.
- They were a fairly self-sufficient community with a strong commitment to helping one another.
- They appreciated the multi-generational legacy they had been given.
- They were great students of the Bible and had their own translation of the New Testament at a time when the Catholic Church forbade any non-Latin Bibles.
- The main garden for our farm is in a valley next to a steep ridge.
- Rora is in the Piedmont region of Italy, and our farm is in the Piedmont Plateau.
Rora met our desire to have a short, unique, memorable name that still had a significant meaning behind it. People don’t have to know the story of Rora to remember the name, but the name should have more meaning once they hear the story.
Noah, Ethan and I hauled up a load of stuff to the shop last week. We took a quick trip to the garden so I could snap a few pictures.
Driving down.
Lettuce.
Romaine
Half of the garden site has drainage problems so we haven’t been able to use it to plant in yet. Hopefully (once the rain stops) we can work on fixing the problem.
Spring Mix variation. So pretty and tasty!
Cabbage coming up.
The arugula has done very well.
Onions.
Up at the orchard.
Budding Brambles.
A blueberry plant.
On our way back home.
Looks like ya’ll had fun! Miss you!!!