Choices versus Lifestyle Changes

My journey towards this fellowship started two years ago when I began teaching Advanced Agriculture Studies at Gray’s Creek High School. This course, comprised of seniors that have taken all other agriculture courses, does not have a state mandated curriculum. I decided to divide the course into three main units:

• Career Preparation
• Leadership Skills in Promoting Agriculture Awareness
• Real Life Agriculture

I have spent the last two years teaching my seniors about the realities of agriculture production. We have read, observed, and viewed the opinions of “both sides- left and right” of the agriculture field. We have discussed CAFOs, organic methods, subsidies, the world food system, and local food production. Together, we read a book called “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver about living and eating “locally” for one year. It is this activity that helped me develop a passion for understanding local food systems, their benefits, and the realities of “making it happen.”

Even though my students have had four years of agriculture education, they still do not fully understand the challenges in agriculture or why they should be passionate about it. By the end of each Spring semester, most of them are eager to learn more and that they are compelled to live “locally”….. when it is convenient to them. I wish that I could spend more time changing their heart so that they could make better decisions with their mind.

This summer, I have seen this same thought process among the public. They don’t understand the importance of local agriculture and therefore, they do not have a passion to support it.  Yes, there are people that buy vegetables at the farmer’s market on the weekend, but they still stock up on canned green beans every Monday at the grocery store. We live in a society of CONVENIENCE.  This is a LIFESTYLE that does not change with one simple CHOICE to visit the farmer’s market and buy a few tomatoes.

A local foods lifestyle change involves asking yourself the following questions EACH AND EVERY DAY:

•  Is the food I buy or consume today good for my health?
• Is the food I buy or consume today good for my local economy?
• Is the food I buy or consume today good for the environment?

Unfortunately, the public will not ask these questions until they are taught the importance of local agriculture and develop a passion for its sustainability.