Life has its challenges and its battles.

On New Year's Eve day my friend Nigel Walker of located on Sievers Road gave me a call.  He wanted me to come by so that we could talk.

I arrived around 5 p.m., as the sun was fading to black, to find Nigel puttering around his new underground home on the farm. He seemed to be in pain and unable to bend at the hips easily.

I helped him get salt for his egg as we got ready to talk. Nigel was straight out with it -- like a sword it sliced me, “Gary” he said “I have spinal cancer.”

I reeled in my boots and asked him to repeat what he had just said to me … I was shocked.

“I have spinal cancer” he said again.  I did not know what to say, he went on telling me that he had just found this out, had no prognosis and that over the next few months he would find out more and when he did he would let me know. Nigel had a list of names written on paper lying on the table in front of him.

Some names had been crossed off, most not. He said that he was going to call his parents next as it was about the right time in the U.K. I am sure that was a trying call for all involved.

Nigel was positive about the farm and how all of his employees were ready to pick up the slack as he needed to take some time off to attend to his very unwelcomed growth. Nigel attacks every challenge head-on without hesitation knowing that he has 18 families depending on his decisions.

He was no different now, he was going to fight this and the fight was on now. It is all too often that we hear of people having to face these terrible challenges; often there is an appeal for help.

Well here is our appeal for Nigel to all of you.

Please go to his web site eatwell.com read about his farm and sign up for a Farm Membership. Eatwell Farm offers fresh certified organic fruits, vegetables, grains, eggs, lavender and other products that are grown in our very back yard.

The farm sells a subscription and weekly you would receive a box of his current harvest in a box delivered in a neighborhood drop location.  It’s simple, green, local, and healthy and you will help lift Nigel spirits and help the farm through some difficult times.

One heck of a man, a good father and husband, one smart farmer, needs a boost.  In return you will get a whole lot of fresh locally grown food.  Sounds like a good deal to me.