Seeds of Change

The Northeast finally welcomes summer. It is midway through August, and there are a few weeks left to enjoy long days and the laid back atmosphere of the season. Except of course on a farm, where it is high season (akin to what was once a retailers Christmas) and days are long with work and laid back times will wait for winter.

At Katchkie Farm we are still basking in the glow of last weeks dinner in the field. It lingers in our thoughts because it meant so much.

Florence Reed, Director /Nutrition Unit for the NYS Office for the Aging, an active participant in the Governors Council on Food Policy, attended the dinner. What follows is her letter to Commissioner Hooker of the Department of Agriculture and Markets:

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August 11, 2009

Dear Commissioner Hooker:

I want to share a few personal reflections and thoughts that resulted from attending the August 8th Farm to Table 100 Mile Menu dinner held at Katchkie Farm (co-sponsored by Red Barn) in Kinderhook. I think some of those reactions are shaped by and related to the work we have been doing on the Governor's Council on Food Policy. I hope you have an opportunity to attend one of the future events but I must acknowledge that the setting for this dinner was mighty special. There were 130 to 150 people at the event including at least 6 farmers and producers.

First, I was reminded of the challenges and level of effort and resources involved in reclaiming or claiming land for farm use. It speaks to the difficulty of maintaining it long term. I would certainly use the term stewardship. How are we prepared to support that?

Second, seeing both the aftermath of the recent flood damage as I drove by a field of crops that had been totally covered by water to hearing the effort (and resources) taken by others to keep fields dry, it made me acutely aware of another aspect of sustainability. Specifically, how do we plan for or address the amount of vulnerability we have in our food system.

Third, the entire evening demonstrated in layered ways, the economic diversity and economic possibility that is part of the food system. Farmers, growers, wine/spirits, writing and publishing, education, which may involve people who have never been associated with food or farming before but see it as a viable path. That can be encouraged inside and outside agriculture. It seems clear that in the right circumstances opportunity exists for jobs (even as a career change).

Finally, the setting reminded me that there really is meaning to the phrase "agrarian culture" and I was struck by the emotion and passion of the farmers at the event. They spoke to the partnership and community between and amongst them; how they have to rely on each other in big and small ways. But, one of them very eloquently helped me see that many farmers and producers have no chance to see the end result of their work. At the end of dinner, Bob Walker, Farm Manager at Katchkie Farms, said "many farmers just have cereal for dinner" at the end of the day rather than a meal which showcases the product of their labors in such a delicious way. His realization that it could be so good and so valued!

May I suggest that we consider holding a Council meeting at a farm especially one that can demonstrate many of the elements I saw or one that represents in other ways the future we want for food, farms and farmers in New York State.

Sincerely,

Florence Reed
Director, Nutrition Unit
NYS Office for the Aging

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When the council first convened in the Fall of 2007, the mandate was broad and the participants, though connected, came from disparate worlds of state government and private sector - so that a common language needed to be established. In the almost 2 years since then, there has been a growing revolution in the way our society is looking at food and food systems - and the awareness of the risks, challenges, obstacles and goals have emerged. Simultaneously, the council has been transformed from a large group with diverse agendas to a focused group working in small units, each focusing on specific issues.

From a broad mandate to offer the Governor recommendations on food policy to the participation in and stimulation of policy and programs that impact access to food for all New Yorkers, the council and its leadership is at the right place and at the right time.

With greater urgency than ever, healthy food and diet is recognized as an integral ingredient of good health - and its absence is witnessed in the dramatic increase in chronic diseases and obesity. More farmers markets, Greenmarkets, Green Carts open as the demand for local, fresh products is greater than ever, while the issues of access are debated and confronted. This in turn, reverts to the issue of support for farm and farmers.

There is a very long road ahead in addressing the problems of our food system. Yet, the fact that these topics are subject of debate is positive. State and city policy initiatives, public-private partnerships, non-profit programs - the seeds of change - are emerging against a backdrop of a food system of entrenched special interests and reluctance to change.

Ms. Reeds words are very significant and highlight the directions we need to be moving in as well as the issues that must be on the table.

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