Field Notes

🛞 Gearing Up for Winter and the CDL Journey ❄️ 

As the seasons shift, so does the work—and this winter, it’s all about preparation and growth. Alongside winterizing the studio and farm equipment, I’ve been diving into the world of commercial driving, preparing to earn my Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Why? Because expanding into CDL certification opens new doors for tackling large-scale soil health and conservation projects.

Winterizing has been its own adventure: from making sure the pickup truck is ready for cold-weather drives up and down Interstate 25 and 10, to ensuring the studio stays warm and functional for the projects ahead. This means antifreeze checks, tire inspections, and ensuring tools and equipment are ready to brave the frost.

Balancing the nitty-gritty of winter prep with CDL study sessions has been a humbling reminder of how interconnected skills, tools, and adaptability are in this line of work. Whether it’s navigating icy roads or mastering air brake regulations, it’s all part of building resilience—for myself and for the work ahead.

Here’s to a season of learning, growth, and staying ready for anything the road (or soil) throws our way.