If you have been a faithful reader of Refining Life, I have a favor to ask. Please read this post, all the way to the end. Indulge me. I believe this is really important!
This is going to be a difficult post to write. First, I am angry. Then, I am sad. And last, I'm frightened. This usually means that I write way too many words trying to not only tell my story, but somehow also convey my emotions. I am going to try to be as succinct as I can. But don't look for a short post here...
I had grandparents who worked a small "Truck Farm" (See note at the end.) of what was probably about 2 acres, though it seemed gigantic to me as a 5 year old kid. My grandma had a roadside produce stand and sold the most delicious corn, tomatoes & strawberries. It was the money she earned and the food she grew that sustained them. Since, although my grandpa worked, he drank most of his earnings. (He was a great, fun-loving grandpa, not a great husband, I suspect.)
There were chickens for eggs & meat and always, there was fresh milk. Grandma must have bartered with a neighbor, since I don't remember a cow. Pretty idyllic place for a kid, right? Yes. yes it was. Just think, I was 5 years old then, almost 62 now. I ate and drank unprocessed, REAL FOOD at my grandmother's table & lived to write about it! Imagine that? Now, just as I am finding my way back to TRADITIONAL FOODS, I may be in danger of losing the right to purchase them?
Farmers who are committed to continuing the tradition of sustainable, family farming are being harrassed by our government! Their livelihood is threatened, their inventory confiscated.
"Not in MY country", you say? Sorry to burst your bubble...read on!
"Save Morningland Dairy", “Save Estrella Family Creamery”, “Stop FDA Tyranny Against Dairy Farms“, “Save Family Farms”, and “Save Farm Freedom”.
Who ever thought we'd be seeing calls to action to save FARMERS?
1. Watch this 4 minute trailer for a Film due out next year called "Farmageddon".
Farmageddon Trailer from Kristin Canty on Vimeo.
2. Read this: Save Our Food Freedom and Right to Privacy! Stop S510
3. Then, read this: Hey, Where Did My Food Go?
4. Then go here: Wanted a Crop Mob of 50,000 to Save Artisan Dairy Farming
5. If, after reading and watching, you want learn more, check this out: REAL FOOD MEDIA
Now, click the buttons below and contribute as your heart leads.
I would love to have some of my blogging buddies along on my journey to discover health again...using traditional foods, and helping to keep these nourishing foods available for ALL OF US!
Note: From Wikipedia - Truck farming is the cultivation of vegetable crops for transport to local markets. It is very similar to Community Supported Agriculture in that it requires consumers to be more than simple purchasers of goods, but rather they must be engaged in the local economy as part of a healthy community.
Important truck crops include sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, onions, strawberries, potatoes, and green vegetables. "Truck" was a Middle English word meaning bartering or the exchange of commodities.
My grandparents had a farm also...probably about the same size. My grandma had a plant nursery there also...they would be shocked to hear what is happening now. So sad.
ReplyDeleteWe have some small farms here locally we buy from (organic farms) at our greenmarket, and have even been out to one of the farms to a "slow cooked" meal...meaning slowly cooked, carefully and with love. Reminds me we need to look for another one coming up...we had about 6 top chefs there cooking delicious foods for our meal...we sat at round tables out on the farm property and we were going to see a film at the end, but it started rainging and everyone had to leave. Wonderful meal, and organic produce.
I am all about the small farmer...I am even one myself (backyard farming)...I hope this situation can be figured out.
God bless you, Chris!
My grandparents too had a small farm. Oh how we as children look forward to visiting each summer. The food was natural, wonderful and delicious. Grandma and grandpa had chickens, hogs, a cow, a lovely vegetable garden and an old well kept shed where grandma kept her preserves and other canned foods. Bartering and sharing with neighbors was the norm for my grandparent and trips to the market were only to purchase a few dried staples.
ReplyDeleteHoney and I do all we can to eat whole foods and are certainly healthier for it. Like grandma and grandpa, we have room in our dry pantry for storage of non-food things now.:o)
I am afraid our country has and is taking the turn for the worse in so many areas. It is heart breaking, simply heart breaking. Thank you for this post dear Chris.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Smiles♥
Beverly
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteVery IMPORTANT message you posted. I was on a farm in Nova Scotia (farm still active) and we ate off that farm and bartered produce from neighbors. My relatives lived off the land as they called it.
It is a shame that Americans may lose this incredible connection with their humanity. People were taught to give their animals 'feed' instead of real food, I guess they want US humans on the same predictable (buying habit) of pellets out of a machine? How can anyone come up with an idea that 'faux' food is better? MONEY and profits and control. Too bad we all pay the price!
Thanks for posting and good luck on your wholesome endeavor back to health. We are trying the same.