From Farm Aid to the Farmer's Market

On my wall, directly to the right of the keyboard in which I type, is a scrap of yellow paper. It's bent in the right corner, crumpled with time and hard to read. With a blue marker, years ago I wrote the words "Every effort I make towards a more healthful and responsible life for myself, those I love, and all people everywhere COUNTS."

It seems like I need to remind myself often that whatever it is that I do for good is good, that no matter how lacking my actions might be in any area- doing just that one good thing is helpful. It's helpful, and it counts.

I kept these thoughts in mind this week as I made my way to the farmer's market - my first trip there in weeks, possibly months (surely not? but maybe . . .) For whatever reason, or laundry list of excuses I've created, I've been doing all my shopping lately at the big box stores. Even though my town twice a week- Tuesday and Friday- holds a perfectly adequate market full of wonderful and mostly locally grown fruits and vegetables, sold at a fair price. I've been avoiding it- or forgetting it- or "too busy" to deal with it or whatever for too long.

It shouldn't take much inspiration to get up there, but I guess in this case it did. Last Sunday, my 12 year old and I went with my parents to the annual Farm Aid concert. The music was great (REALLY GREAT), but the message was better.

Farm Aid has been happening for 24 years and has one mission:

to keep family farmers on their land.

My parents attended the farm aid concert without me 24 years ago.

This year- I went with them, and brought my music loving boy too.

According to the Farm Aid website, Farm Aid accomplishes their mission by:

Promoting Food from Family Farms

Farm Aid stages America's longest running annual concert event that unites farmers, artists, consumers, and concerned citizens to build a powerful movement for good food from family farms. Throughout the year, Farm Aid promotes food from family farms through inspiring and informative television, radio, mail, and web campaigns.

Growing the Good Food Movement

The Good Food Movement is growing the number of Americans reaching for and demanding family farm-identified, local, organic or humanely-raised food. Farm Aid grants build connections between farmers and consumers creating new markets for family farmers.

Helping Farmers Thrive

Through 1-800-FARM-AID and www.farmaid.org, Farm Aid staff refers farmers to an extensive resource network of family farm organizations across the country. The referrals support farmers seeking to make transitions to more sustainable and profitable farming practices, and also provide immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis. Farm Aid makes grants to farm and rural service organizations to strengthen this network of resources for farmers.

Taking Action to Change the System

Farm Aid works with and provides grants to local, regional and national organizations to promote fair farm policies and grassroots organizing campaigns to defend and bolster family farm centered agriculture. By strengthening the voices of family farmers themselves, Farm Aid stands up for the most resourceful, heroic Americans–the family farmers who work the land.

The music was great and the message was clear:

buy good food, stop factory farming and

support small family farms.

And in the words of Neil Young-

if you are a young person thinking about what you want to do with your life-

the world needs more farmers and it needs better food NOW.

So - whatever my hang up was all summer- this week- I got all of this good food at my local farmer's market.

One small effort that has a big impact.

And I'll keep encouraging myself and everyone I know to do the same.

Visit your local farmers market (or grow your own!)

and show young hands where their food comes from and how to grow it.

Blessed be to all of you on this Autumn day!

(oh, and p.s. don;t forget the music!)

John Mellencamp gifted us at Farm Aid with this tune-

to be released on his next CD. I thought it was wonderful

This version is from a show he did in Ohio this summer.

Save Some Time to Dream: