media | Squash and Awe

I just want to write a note to bring attention to the efforts of editors across the country who made the decision to include a story about sustainable agriculture in their papers. It may not seem like much to some of you, but it means a lot to we small farmers and heirloom seed preservationists/researchers who are trying to get our voices heard. The idea? That we have answers right in front of us. Myself and many others have been trying our best to share old news that is also good news: Heirlooms matter. So it is all the better when editors get an opportunity to pick up an AP article about such things and run with it. So farmer hat is off to the Editorial staff at the following publications:

SFGate of San Francisco, California

The Washington Times of D.C

Lancaster Farming of Ephrata, PA

The Star Advertiser of Honolulu, HI

MySA of San Antonio, TX

and of course the team at the West Hawaii Today of Kona, HI who put the ball in motion.

For running this article about my farming efforts in their publications. Each and every action matters from seed to soil to getting the word out to others. So thank you news teams for helping to share a bit of good news.

It can be a challenge to make everything come together on the farm, especially when we add in media publishing deadlines. Like squash farmers, publishers think far ahead, as in 4-6 months out for their articles. That means that they are often working on a harvest issue while the farmer is planting. It is an exciting challenge to meet. There is a buzz of activity that throws us farmers out of our daily routine. Photography and styling replace weeding and shoveling. I find myself getting stuck thinking that the farm needs to be in full vining glory to be interesting, but I am wrong in doing so. The no-till soil building is the foundation of not just the health of the plants, and the environment, but also key to my water management strategy. The field at rest is a sign of health too. Young plants are a part of the continuum, as are compost and the flowers before the fruit. Every stage has it’s worth, though its beauty more subtle.

I think many of us use traditional methods that are intriguing to the media. We need to remember that the tools of our everyday: the jars of seeds, the old rusted wheelbarrow are all a part of the character that our farm has. Be creative when you get those inquiries from the media. Your farm and garden is much more interesting than you may think, even in off-season. So say yes, when someone offers you and your farm a moment in the spotlight. It is a wonderful thing that farmers are now getting the opportunity to be acknowledged for all that they do.