May 28, 07
If you asked a kid today
what he wanted to be when he grew up,
one of the careers and lifestyles
he would likely not choose
would be Family Farming.
The Romance of the Family Farm
has been destroyed in our Age,
and yet if we do not take organic steps
to create a New Generation of farmers
who feel that "Happiness is Organic!"
we will likely not meet an agenda
for Food Security in our Times.
As times march on, more and more people
will realize that there is basically
one kind of healthy food, and that is
organically grow food (or better).
Optimal health--therpeutic food
for healing-- depends
on Fresh Food--that means locally grown.
Face the Facts:
and as groups such as the Organic Center
ask us to go from our current 3% use
to 10% by 2010, these will mean
that more and more acres in organic
production will be required.
At the same time,
Most Family Farmers today are over the age of 60
Fourth Generation Farmers like
Joe Rodriguez Jr. questions in
"The Comeback of Joe the Farmer,"
my Children's book in progress,
if it is wise to suggest that
the next generation to go into Farming.
I am planting a Seed Dream now that
hard times are behind the Family Farmers.
They have to be over for all of us to eat
Real Food in the coming years.
Healthy signs are on the horizon.
Joe Rodriguez Jr. is opening up more
Farmers' Markets these days.
Whole Foods Market is more and more
interested in his locally grown produce,
although they can be faster progress
at introducing it our in local stores.
Noel Stehly, another locally farmer,
is a third generation farmer.
His valencia oranges and ruby grapefruits
will be sampled by kids this weekend
who attend World Environment Day
sponsored by Fundacion La Puerta
at Professoris Park.
Why am I doing this giveaway?
Why make the effort?
We need a new generation of kids
to rekindle love of nature.
We need the feel of living in harmony with
the Earth to once again come into them.
Kids today need to know that
our Earth can support them and is worth
loving.
The Family Farm--in all its romance
of bees pollinating berries, fresh
beautiful avocadoes, valencia oranges and
ruby grapefruits is returning.
I am here to record the growth
of that romance returning.
Your Enchanted Gardener,
Leslie