Farmers are eternal optimists. In the quiet months of winter, we think to ourselves, “This will be the year.”

My 18-month-old daughter recently pointed at a freshly harvested green bundle sitting on our kitchen counter and correctly identified it as bok choy.

Some farmers may disagree, but I find working in a warm summer rain is one of the greatest pleasures of farming.

It is with great pleasure that I am taking on the revived Farm and Field column this summer.