One Hand To Plant Seeds
One hand to plant seeds.
One to dismantle machines.
With all of my heart.
I wrote this haiku in March inspired by the transition to spring. Half immersed in the grassroots movement that convinced Vermont lawmakers to pass a GMO labeling law and half focused on the farm where the pull of the change of seasons is strong.
Cultivating a healthier and cleaner food system that does not wreck the environment and people’s health is a passion of mine. I believe we can and need to build a new dynamic world while transforming and in some cases dismantling the old one. The ways to effect change are many and here on the farm we employ a variety of methods.
Engaging in food politics is necessary. The work can be frustrating and is painfully slow but in order to effect change we have to do it. Sometimes we even win! Engaging people in agriculture and helping to make that positive connection to healthy food is also necessary. All of it feeds my soul.
On the same day the GMO labeling bill was signed, The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) announced that they will sue to overturn Vermont’s law. They claim the people of Vermont have violated their right to corporate free speech by demanding labels on GMO foods. Can you believe that? We’ll post more about the GMO food fight in the coming week and we’ll let you know when the suit is actually filed. For a summary to this point read Kate and Will’s recent article A Populist Victory in Vermont on GMO Labeling.
The seasons pull on on the farm. While the berries begin to blossom and the weeds start to catch up from the rains, we engage in a David-and-Goliath-style food fight with one of the largest industries in the world. We’re not afraid. We are inspired to empower people to take back our food sovereignty.
Feeding the community in all the ways we do at Cedar Circle Farm is fun and fulfilling work. My greatest love is to inspire an interest in food and farming, insects, plants and soil.
Down on the Farm
Larissa Resnek is our new Education Assistant and she is wonderful! Last week, Larissa experienced her first farm tour with Newbury Elementary 1st, 2nd, and 6th grade. The students had great questions about raising vegetables and chickens and about what sustainable and organic farming means. We harvested and tasted radishes and arugula and over half the kids liked them! Next week Newbury’s 4th grade will come for a visit.
On Wednesday this past week we entertained 3 busloads of Thetford Elementary School kids on the farm, one after another. The students learned about pollinators, made bean-baby seed necklaces (a living seed in a small bag that you wear on a string around your neck. You can watch it sprout and then plant it!), counted blossoms in the strawberry fields, visited bees and chickens, searched for insects, planted potatoes and practiced making healthy food choices. After all of that we co-hosted a school garden work party and the local community really stepped up! We are now ready to plant at the Thetford Elementary School Garden!
Garden Time!
The next two weeks are optimal for getting your gardens started with all those warm weather crops we all love so much like tomatoes, peppers, melons and beans. Don’t forget to harden off your plants! We want to help gardeners grow more food and flowers at home and at school. Check out our website for growing tips like fertilizing young plants or to learn about attracting beneficial insects to your garden. For hands-on expert advice sign up for a gardening class at the farm.
Save the Dates!
The next 6 weeks will be full of planning for upcoming farm events. Get ready to bring your friends and family to the farm for a delicious Fathers’ Day Organic Berry Brunch on Sunday, June 15 and mark your calendar for our 12th annual Strawberry Festival on Sunday, June 29.
Sign up to join our more than 50 fantastic Strawberry Festival volunteers. See the range of opportunities by filling out this form.
See you down on the farm!
~ Cat
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