I forgot an important concept in the post about the NOFA conference–the idea of growing food for people. Both of the conference keynoters mentioned it, saying that farmers and farms have drifted away from the people they feed. Some farmers won’t eat what they grow, tainted as it is with the knowledge of what they’ve done to it.

 The fact is, though, that they’re growing food for other living, breathing, upright-walking and nutrient-craving human beings. Perhaps the disconnected nature grew out of our hyper-connected lives. Just as it’s easier to slander someone who’s just connected to you by a nebulous internet, so can you ignore decent growing practices when your link to consumers stretches over highways and national borders, and ends up in some air conditioned supermarket you will never see.

 Phew – said it!