New Jersey, a top producer of blueberries, sweet corn, and tomatoes, is nicknamed “The Garden State,” but Ashar Ghumman, Director of Global Grace Farms, says his Pakistani friends could not believe there were farms and chickens in America when he shared photos. “They have chickens in America?!” He laughed as Joel nodded knowingly. “In Sierra […]Read Post ›
Paying forward the kindness the Allandale family treats them with is an expression of their appreciation, a part of their DNA.
“We also need to have more respect for the domestic arts: time to grow our food, cook our food, serve our food, and build a culture of sitting down together and eating good food. In my time, being a homemaker was rejected, and I think it’s very important, for men and women, to make […]Read Post ›
“It all comes back to [the bees].” Teresa Vanek, of Bright Raven Farm and Aviary, is a farmer and beekeeper. Like a few of the farmers I’ve spoken to, Teresa comes from a line of agricultural producers. Her grandmother was a beekeeper, inspiring her dad’s interest in bees. “We were like, ‘okay, Dad, have fun’”, […]Read Post ›
“Ultimately, the practices are more important than the certification.” How much more effort do farmers have to exert in order to farm organically? Here’s what I took out of a brief conversation with Doug, of Buried Treasures Organic Farm: “To be certified organic, everything must be traceable. Look at these potatoes, for example. I have […]Read Post ›
“It’s meaningful.” What comes to mind when you think of a farmer? A few years ago, I would have said, “someone sitting on a tractor…in the middle of a big green field… wearing plaid and overalls”. All I knew about farmers came from children’s story books and stereotypes. So tell me, what comes to mind […]Read Post ›
“‘I’ll keep farming until the money runs out.’” Remember Ellen Knapp, the resilient farmer who spoke to me about Ithaca’s drought? Well, I met her husband, Jason, at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market. Speaking to him gave me an even greater insight into the work ethic that’s demanded of farmers, and the reality of farming: […]Read Post ›
“When I’m on the farm, I’m on vacation.” What better way to catch someone’s attention at a Farmers’ Market than to have stuffed animals positioned at your booth? I met Walter, of Shannon Brook Farm, at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market on a rainy Saturday. Our conversation was the first meaningful one that I had […]Read Post ›
“Yes, it was a bummer, but it’s farming. It’s what it is.” Ellen Knapp and her husband both come from a line of farmers. Her husband is the 8th generation on his side, and her kids are the 9th. “We live in the settler’s home”, which was built in 1772. This past summer, Ithaca […]Read Post ›
Food For Thought 