I can vividly remember riding in the backseat of my grandfather’s Cadillac on some dirt road in Middlefield with the windows down, the sun pounding on my little head, dust practically vacuumed into my nose and the sweet sultry smell of manure, fresh cut hay and sweet corn husks hovering in the lazy and humid summer air.
I can’t recall what road we were on, but I can recall seeing my tall, endearing grandfather somehow unfold his way out of the car and go knock on the door of a local farmer, inquiring about some sweet corn. When grandpa didn’t grow it, he got it directly from the folks who did.
As time went on, I saw my family follow the same principles. Essentially, it became second nature to by-pass Giant Eagle or Wal-Mart in favor of some winding gravel road to pick up honey, eggs or mixed produce. I always looked forward to these adventures in the car with my grandpa and my dad and, as fate would have it, years later I would find myself driving down many of these gravel roads and long, winding driveways to talk to these same farmers about agricultural issues on behalf of the Farm Bureau.
I could probably speak for days about relationships that I have kept and continuous bartering and exchanges that put local product or supplies in my hands and in my stomach. In my younger days (I’m starting to gray, so I don’t want to date myself just yet), I was slightly puzzled when my family would give random gifts of extra zucchini, watermelon and peppers or exchange them for something. Now, it is quite common to give the gift of maple syrup to my friends for Christmas presents or other favors.
I can remember just starting my career at Farm Bureau and it seemed like everybody wanted to capitalize on the “buy local” concept. Naturally, I was a little confused (which is happening more often as I get older) until I finally asked someone what this buying-local thing was. What’s the big deal? So it was explained to me…..and I was stunned. Several generations of my family and other farmers in this region had been trend-setters! All we have to do is wait another 20 years for plaid, checkered shirts, flannel and leather boots to be “cool” again and we’ll really be in the big time!
What is so great about this mentality is that many large companies and organizations have been rebranding themselves as groups that are “building community.” All that those organizations are doing is stealing from our farmers! Building community is a lot simpler than advertised.
It’s buying products from each other. It’s bartering and exchanging goods and services. It’s asking each other for help. It’s putting down the darn phone, shutting off the TV and knocking on your neighbor’s door and actually having a conversation. It’s allowing people into your life and trusting them.
With the last of spring frosts behind us and the humid spring days in front of us, while you’re out and about take a few minutes to stop at a place you’ve never been to and purchase some local products. Not only will they be refreshing and delicious, you will be supporting one of our buying-local superheroes, someone that might support you one day.
On Monday, June 22 we’ll host our first Farm Forum at Cardinal Middle School and on Friday, July 10 we’ll host our Policy Development session at Joe’s Window Shop. If you’d like to see what other events we have coming up, please “like” our Facebook page and to become a member, please visit our online application at www.volunteers.growwithfb.org.
This article is brought to you by Geauga County Farm Bureau
Author: Ty Kellogg
Ty Kellogg has been the Organization Director of the Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula and Trumbull County Farm Bureau for just shy of two years. His primary duties include management of the four-county Farm Bureau office, assisting volunteers with membership drives, programs that promote agriculture and engaging the public in agriculture and community policy development. Born, raised and living in Geauga County, Ty can also be seen playing music throughout northeast Ohio, running, hunting, fishing and helping his parents on their farm.