In Spring and Winter of 2023 and 2024, I photographed a small recreational farm in Wolverine, Michigan, where Jack and Oscar Thompson manage 207 acres of land for hunting purposes. Across 12 winter and spring visits, I documented the early stages of seasonal farming - clearing trees, prepping soil, and planting alfalfa, soybeans, and forage sorghum. Much of the work was done by hand, often with help from close friends, and I focused on capturing the physical effort involved in these routines, along with the quiet in-between moments. My images show not only the changing landscape but also the social dynamic of working in rural northern Michigan: traveling up north, working outdoors in cold conditions, and observing how people interact with land they know well.
