The Fields of Red Dog Farm: A Musical Journey

Dan here! As the season is coming to a close, I reflect back on many fond memories throughout the season here at Red Dog Farm. I relocated to Jefferson County this year, specifically to work on the farm and find community. I’ve lived all over the US and even some parts of Mexico. I’m somewhat of a rambler if you will. One of my favorite parts of working at Red Dog Farm is the love I have for my co-workers. It’s a truly special group of people I have the honor and pleasure of working with daily. We all have our stories, our journeys that brought us here in one way or another. While working here, I’ve made some very good friends and I’ve decided to return in the spring to work another season at the farm.

Ok, enough about me. What I really wanted to talk about today is music. Now how the heck does music relate to farming? Well, music is a big motivator for us at the farm. In the packshed, where we clean, sort, process and pack our produce, we’re always jamming out. Usually, we rotate in and out of the packshed and the fields, and take turns choosing the playlist inside. Also, in the fields and greenhouses, you’ll often find someone playing music from their cell phone. On larger, group-harvest projects, a portable speaker is essential!

Today, I’d like to talk specifically about the fields of Red Dog Farm and how they are musically inspired. Did you know our fields are named? Not just any names, mind you. They are named after iconic musicians! Singers & songwriters, ramblers and bards. The original fields are named as follows with the musician they are named after in parenthesis:

Townes (Townes Van Zandt)
Roscoe (Roscoe Holcomb)
Joni (Joni Mitchell)
Loretta (Loretta Lynn)
Nanci (Nanci Griffith)
Patsy (Patsy Cline)

Now I’m sure many of you reading this may be familiar with the works of most, if not all, of these musicians. But today, I’d like to share a specially curated playlist featuring works from all of these amazing artists. Feel free to check these songs out on your favorite music platform or even go on a vinyl hunt if you feel inclined! Perhaps by listening to these tracks, you can get a sense of what the energy is like at Red Dog Farm. You can walk the fields, alongside the many who have had the pleasure of working there throughout the years.

● I’ll Be Here in the Morning – Townes Van Zandt
● Dead Flowers – Townes Van Zandt
● The Hills of Mexico – Roscoe Holcomb
● Little Birdie – Roscoe Holcomb
● Trouble Child – Joni Mitchell
● Amelia – Joni Mitchell
● Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn
● You’re Lookin’ At Country – Loretta Lynn
● Crazy – Patsy Cline
● She’s Got You – Patsy Cline

Well, thanks for reading! Perhaps during your holiday gatherings if you’re looking for some entertainment, try incorporating some of these songs or artists in your playlists!

~Dan