Down on the Farm

The Clark family went back to its roots today -- you know, like 400 years or so, when one of our ancestors was some kind of farmer. It was awesome! We went on a mini-tour of several farms north and east of Charlotte as part of the Know Your Farm / Know Your Food event taking place today and tomorrow. What a great idea. Have you ever met the man who cared for the cow that you had for dinner? Tonight, we did -- how cool is that??

We learned a TON about: organic farming, from a real-live organic farmer; the link between food and nutrition, from a homeopathic doctor; about the Cabarrus County Cooperative extension, from a nice host at one of the farms; micro-greens from a lady who just started a business (Lucky Leaf Gardens) four months ago and is expanding it; and the beef cattle industry from 5th- and 6th-generation farmers. It was quite the educational experience.

It is awesome to know that so many good people right in this area produce healthy food. Katie and I are going to sign up for a campaign -- North Carolina's 10 percent challenge -- to commit to buying at least 10% of our food locally. Join us!

Here's my wife and son in front of a tractor. 

Alternative caption: wife, son, tractor. (Just sounds cool to put it like that.)

Here's father and son learning from farmer Jill, who did not run a hill nor fetch us a pail of water. (We didn't ask her to -- but maybe we should have? It was pretty hot.)

Brad, the organic farmer. Man, this dude was cool. He's totally certified USDA organic. And you'd think he'd be shouting that from the barntops, so to speak, but we kind of had to pull it out of him. He talked with us for probably half an hour as we peppered him with questions about organic farming and why he believes in it, etc.

Brad is the man. He told us he works 60-65 hours a week in the winter, and 100-120 hours a week in the summer. That is some hard work! And boy does it show. We bought organic apples from him afterwards and they were sweet - literally and figuratively.

We might go in on his CSA (community supported agriculture) operation. Anybody care to join us?

Titus, apparently imitating Ray Charles. I couldn't get over how cute he was in Katie's sunglasses.

Katie and Titus eating the organic apple.

Dad, son, tractor = awesomeness.

Here's Eric Deal, the 6th-generation beef cattle farmer at Circle D farm in China Grove. 6 generations!! This farm started in 1842. Yes, that's 18, as in the voting age. Crazy.

Katie and Titus again at Circle D. Great day to be out and about and learn from these awesome people!