History

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300 years ago 80% of the population in the United States were farmers. 100 years ago 40% of the population were farmers. Today, it's 2%.  Technological advancements in agriculture have increased 'food' production to support an ever-growing population.

Believe it or not, as a small, certified organic farm, I am not here to bash Big Agriculture and the technologies that make it possible (chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers).  They fulfill a need based on our priorities.

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​So, What's the Problem?

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We want low-cost food that is grown, watered, tended to, harvested, cleaned, packaged, refrigerated and delivered to us by someone else. Of course we need low-cost food. Everything is expensive. It is.

We need food. Real food.

Real food that's affordable

I happen to believe we can have "low-cost" AND healthy, real food.  There is a strategy; there must be.  

I don't believe we are lazy or indifferent about our health.  During the past couple hundred years, advancements have changed every aspect of life.

As they do  

I was born circa early 1970's. Being one of those folks who straddled the before-advanced-technology and after generations (i.e., mobile phone, personal computers and *gasp* same day deliveries to your doorstep). Having the hindsight of my first 20+ years, communicating on a telephone tethered to the wall in my family's kitchen, I see something missing in the busy, full-to-the-brim, world we exist in today. Virtual existence is suuuper fun.  We can explore the world without removing our fluffy slippers. It's awesome.

And it isn't

This is not a preach session on how we all should disconnect from our devices and spend more time in nature. Although, we clearly should. Technology is great. Chemical Engineering is great. Medications like Insulin are great examples of this! Advanced technologies, combined with good ol' fermentation, make life better for many.  Water purification and filtration, battery and recycling technologies and even petroleum refinement--although that is a different conversation.  My point is ... chemical technologies can be great, just maybe not in our food. This is an invitation to get involved with an aspect of our lives we've relegated to the back burner (pun? yes.) to better our lives.

​Oh yeah, this IS about food

We know we should eat good food for our bodies and our environment. You don't need me to tell you that. We all want it.

[Enter] the 24 hour day

We do things we want to do. We are motivated to do things for two reasons - it feels good OR we seek to avoid pain.  We are a predictable species, if nothing else. Today, for most, being involved with growing food doesn't motivate us.  Why spend nearly 3 months to grow that head of lettuce we like for our side salad when it's already waiting for us at our local market?

That wasn't a rhetorical question

Human nature, that's why. We don't value things we don't appreciate. Let me be clear. I appreciate that that head lettuce is at the local grocery store and hope it remains there. (wait, what?) [See above about not bashing Big Ag.] There is currently a need for that. What I would like to propose is something more. Something that you might, actually, like.​​

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"Please get on with it, this About is long"​

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Two Hours

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Would you give Two Hours 

• for the possibility of an enjoyable experience?

• if it motivated you to want to eat better?

• toward supporting your local environment?

• to be a part of a movement that could improve our local food sovereignty?

• if it directly benefitted you and your family?

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Not everyone can or should be farmers.  We need plenty of other goods and services to sustain society.  However, many people can find two hours to

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1. Grow 2 foods that you eat regularly.  Potatoes and herbs are both relatively easy foods to grow in a backyard or on a patio.  Then, swap excess harvest with a friend.  The time to do this should not take more than 2 hours a month.

2. Volunteer at a local farm for 2 hours a month.  Many will offer produce/goods in exchange for your time.

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Join Us.

We can do this, together.