by Kathryn Gardow | Mar 31, 2019 | Land Use Planning, Local Food
“There is a shellfish farmer, sheep farmer and a vegetable farmer in a room of real estate development professionals.” It’s the start of the classic “groan” joke. And, Yes!, it really happened! The sunny last day of February was a great...
by Kathryn Gardow | Feb 28, 2019 | Local Food, Rural Economy
Mt. Meru at almost 15,000 feet, the fifth highest mountain in Africa, capped in wispy clouds, towers over the Tanzanian village at the end of the paved road at the entrance to Arusha National Park. Meru’s taller and more well-known “mountain cousin”, Mt....
by Kathryn Gardow | Jan 23, 2019 | Healthy Food, Local Food
Have you ever thought how a farmer decides what to grow? My guess is probably not. So many of us never think where our food comes from, so why would we spend any time asking this question. Wondering where our food comes from is a long standing blind spot in our United...
by Kathryn Gardow | Dec 31, 2018 | Healthy Food, Rural Economy
Spring grass was just poking its head through the crusty soil at Pure Eire Dairy when we visited earlier this year. Jill Smith, dairywoman extraordinaire, was expecting our visit at her family farm near Othello, Washington. My fellow adventurer Robbie and I had spent...
by Kathryn Gardow | Nov 30, 2018 | Local Food, Sustainable Communities
Farming seems so idyllic. Old McDonald, the proverbial song, is my first recollection of the quintessential farming dream. A happy song with joyful animals. Seared in my memory are daytrips to my Grandmother’s house to find the choicest Halloween pumpkin; the...