“Raw Milk?” I asked the assistant director of the non-profit advocacy organization I worked for when I was in grad school. I had no idea what “raw milk” was, or how it was different than any old gallon of cows milk you could buy at Shaws. I didn’t even drink milk, I became lactose intolerant when I was about 18. Now I milk 200 cows on an Organic Dairy Farm in North Ferrisburgh, VT.
How the hell did I get here? I still ask myself somedays when I find myself chasing escaped cows, or when I get cow shit in my hair. Whatever reason- I’m glad I ended up here because I've realized that being involved in the cultivation of food is where I am truly happy.
I am a passionate questioning omnivore- vegetarian, poised to save the world from all of our environmental problems through solving some of our most complex and gigantic agricultural policy issues facing our generation right now. I am so committed to help lead our society out of this overfed, undernourished, unsustainable trend. The way Americans eat is the most disgusting issue facing us right now, in my opinion. We need to revolutionize the way we all eat as a global society by starting right in our backyards.
The local food movement, some are terming it, is happening right now. Go read Barbara Kingsolvers Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Michael Pollans The Ominivore’s Dilemma. Or turn on the tube and check out what Bobby Flay is saying about using fresh, local produce, or Emeril taking a visit to Hardwick, VT to showcase a host to some of our most popular local artisan vendors on his show Emeril Green. Farmers Markets are becoming ever more popular. Hell, I could go to one every single day if I wanted to walking or biking distance from my apartment in Downtown Burlington, Vermont.
So here it is, I’m starting a blog. A place for me to actually write down what goes through my head the entire milking. I’ve been given a lot of opportunities to be with some of the brightest think tanks in agricultural and food system policy, and for that I am thankful. This Local Food Movement will change our society for the better, so I invite you to follow my blog, hopefully I can teach you something or at least look at the sure to come pictures of my cows :). A lot of exciting things are happening on our farm and in the state of Vermont. I'll share my opinions about food policy, pictures of my farm, stories about working on a farm, recipes, and my daily experiences as I learn the art of farming. Enjoy!!
