I volunteer to work at an organic flower farm, Flora Farm, once a week and in return, I receive what I consider of utmost value - gorgeous blooms that brightens my day and lift my spirit.
I also learn a whole bunch from Stacey (the owner) about the realities of organic flower farming. For example, keeping up with the market demands for perfect blooms at a low value; losing crops to gophers and slugs; shouldering big expenses like greenhouses; juggling farmers' markets & wedding clients; and growing flowers for seed. In addition to all that, Stacey who runs the farm single-handedly, is also a single mom. This is not a unique story either...but one that is all too common.
Have you read the Opinion piece in the NY Times titled "Don't Let Your Children Grow Up to be Farmers"? The article paints a bleak picture of the organic landscape today and is especially harrowing about the reality of making a living (or not) as a farmer.
"The dirty secret of the food movement is that the much-celebrated small-scale farmer isn’t making a living. After the tools are put away, we head out to second and third jobs to keep our farms afloat."
Having on the ground experience, I can say, a lot of that is truth. And yet. Every time I look at the flowers that Stacey gives to me, the sweat of the day seem to evaporate along with my worries. As I look at those fragile, cheery blooms, knowing full well the amount of work that went into them, I feel all the more hopeful. Am I just an idealist?
Luckily, I'm also not alone. Here's an excerpt from a moving response to the NY Times piece:
"Let your children grow up to be farmers. Let them know what it is like to be free from fluorescent lights and laser pointer meetings. Let them challenge themselves to be forever resourceful and endlessly clever. Let them whistle and sing loud as they like without getting called into an office for “disturbing the workforce.” Let them commute down a winding path with birdsong instead of a freeway’s constant growl. Let them be bold. Let them be romantic..." (from Let Your Children Grow Up to Be Farmers")
What do you think? Do you think organic farming will become financially viable in the future? Will crypto change our current agricultural system? Would you encourage your kids to become farmers?
"Normality is a paved road. It's comfortable to walk but no flowers grow on it." - Vincent van Gogh.