Archive for January 13th, 2006

January 13, 2006 – Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference

On Friday and Saturday I had the chance to attend the annual Practical Farmers of Iowa annual conference. We’ve been attending these for at least 15 years. It has become an important event for renewal. It is a good time to remember that we’re not alone in believing that small farms are the lifeblood of rural communities. I was particularly struck with the keynote speakers. They consisted of a panel of three farmers, each a hero. They were clearly true to their values; unapologetic or embarrassed to live who they really are. One showed pictures of his family’s farm with pasture-raised hogs and then photos of the nearby town at rush hour. There was not a single car. He said that that’s what happens when livestock left the farm. Upon reflection, I’m starting to see his point. His neighbors had either abandoned their farms or gotten big (but not rich)in grain. The heroine from Minnesota has two young children and an organic dairy in which they cows stay outside all winter, and thrive. That family works hard. It’s dirty but genuine and rewarding. The final speaker admitted his reluctance to be different from his neighbors but believed that if he didn’t do something different he was going to lose his farm. He gathered courage and survived. They all spoke from the heart, honored the land that supported them, wanted to make their communities a better place.

What truly lovely people. I was inspired. Linda