Fresh, The Movie

  Last night Chuck and I headed off the newly renovated Eastonian (old Hotel Easton) for a screening of the documentary FRESH, THE MOVIE (http://www.freshthemovie.com/). We both were impressed with the way the hotel has been renovated.  I had been in the old hotel several times and showed Chuck how it used to be compared to the new look.

  The screening was hosted by the Easton Farmers Market with funding from Lehigh Valley Chapter of Buy Fresh, Buy Local (http://www.buylocalpa.org/lehighvalley), which the Verba Farm at William Point is a member.  We were somewhat surprised at the number of people who showed up for the screening.  I would venture to say it was about 70 and were more than the number of chairs set up (excellent marketing technique even if it was accidental).

  The movie is about how our food is produced.  I am not sure there was a lot I hadn’t already read about or known about in theory, but to see it in documentary form was a real eye opener.  The more graphic parts showed how chickens are crammed into houses to the point there is absolutely no room between them.  The same holds true for cows and pigs. 

  On the veggie side it details how midwestern farms have gone from being full service farms to ones that only grow one crop.  In order to sustain either the animal method of high production or the veggie one, the farmer is forced to use large quantities of fertilizer, antibiotics, pesticides and chemicals to keep the system functioning.  This differs greatly from the sustainable method of a century ago that relied on crop rotation and intertwined animals groups to keep the farm healthy without any chemicals.

  The movie showcases about 6 farmers who have gone back to the older methods and show that not only is it profitable to do it that way, but it is far more profitable than the corporation method.

  Chuck and I both took the message of the movie as confirmation of what we knew was right for us.  Our vision and method is farming without any use of fertilizers or pesticides.  The animal waste from the chickens (and someday the sheep, goats, alpacas, etc) is used to naturally fertilize the gardens and fields.  They waste products from the gardens and fields are used to feed the animals.  It is a perfect and natural balance.

  We have used the mantra… “Locally grown, pesticide free and in season” so often it is like a greeting.  I think I say it in my sleep.  It is the educational component of the sales marketing used for selling our vegetables and produce.  It is the same marketing we are using for our baked products and canned products.  As we move into selling artisan cheeses, soaps and honey we will use the same vision. 

  We are a non-certified organic farm.  We know that is the way we can sustain our 45 acre farming operation well beyond our lifetimes.  The farm belonged to my grandparents and it is the way they farmed.  It passed to my parents and for the most part was the way they attempted to farm.  It seems almost natural on all levels that we should be doing the same thing.  Face it… It is what grammy would be wanting me to do.