A "Thank You" to our Farmers at Broadfork Farm This year marks a lot of life changes for me, most notably as it relates to diet and body; I have spent more long hours than I will admit to learning about the symbiotic relationship between our bodies and the food that we eat. From our body’s basic level of defense in fighting off the evil cells of cancer and disease, to the disruption and health of our guts, to the ever-expanding waist line, the research was long, and in depth, and left me with only one conclusion: I will eat meat, vegetables, and fruit - mostly vegetables. They will be free of toxins, chemicals and mutated genes, they will be free of preservatives, additives, and dyes, and they will be locally-sourced and grown with dignity… and that’s when it hit me: Dignity. We are dignified creatures, we should treat each other, and ourselves with dignity. Our children deserve that in the absolute least; the dignity of health, the dignity of an education, the dignity of a humble pride in themselves, their bodies, and their food. So I made a mission statement: my children would not grow up believing that food grew on the shelves at the grocery store. I would teach them that meals are not created out of a box. I would bring them to the farms, and watch as the season unfolded, yielding the touchable art of existence, and allow them the dignity of experiencing life in action. I have brought my daughters to the farm every week since the first spring harvest, and they have watched as the ground has burst with life; as seedlings have taken root, exploded with edible energy, and become heavy with the fruits of their toil. They have watched as these harvested beauties came home with us, and have helped transform them into the most beautiful, most elegant, most dignified meals. They have held and fed (and had personal moments of contemplation) with the chickens that provide us our fresh eggs. With each step of the process of life, a new sense of appreciation came to all of us, as we realized that vegetables are not just food, they are beauty. Equally as beautiful and equally as heart-wrenching, was teaching my children that with every step, from beginning to end of our farm experience, were the faces of the ever-working, passionate, and gorgeous farmers. From the rains of spring to the heat of a Southern August, constantly and consistently, the farmers were out, planting, weeding, harvesting, and feeding. With three small children in tow, loading the car and bound for the market, or walking consumers through the humble but lush fields, they are always busy, and always adoring. Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of joining together with our farmers and a small group of dedicated employees and members, and as we sat, enjoying the tastes of the early fall harvest, I listened to the sound of free, bare-footed children and the laughter of friendship, and watched as the rows of beautiful vegetables turned purple in the setting sun. I watched my farmers in awe, for their endless care and love, for their passion… for their dignity. So here is a shout-out to the beautiful, amazing, wonderful, dignified farmers at Broadfork Farm, and a truly heart-felt THANK YOU for teaching my children a love for food, for providing us with nourishment for our bodies, and for your endless zeal and passion. Janet and Dan, this one is for you!
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 18:48:28 +0000