I had no idea until this morning that October 12 is National Farmers Day, but it feels so fitting for me right now. I’ve always loved nature and gardening, but recently, I’ve been feeling a really intense pull toward farming. Just yesterday I began reading You Can Farm by Joel Salatin. I’m also about 2/3 of the way through Folks, This Ain’t Normal, also by Mr. Salatin, and I am absolutely loving both of these books.
I realize that not everyone can (or even wants to) farm, but I do think there’s definitely a need for a renewed understanding among all of us as to where our food comes from. If someone is at all interested in their own health and wellbeing, that of their family, or that of the planet, it’s critical to become more aware of how food is grown and how it gets to us.
One of my all-time favorite books is The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture by Wendell Berry. (I’m sure I’ve said this 100 times, but anything by Wendell Berry is good!) He’s incredibly eloquent and astute, and he explores so much more than just farming in this book. You can also visit The Berry Center online to find more resources.
Several years back, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Seed: the Untold Story, a documentary about our dwindling seed diversity, and about those fighting to keep these precious resources free and alive. (I think I need to see it again!)
I’ve been exploring The Land Institute’s site to learn more about natural agricultural systems, and hope to soon begin reading some books by Wes Jackson.
Healing our land might seem hopeless, but I believe it’s possible, and I believe the key is in the way we grow our food. Like anything, one small step will lead to another and another.
