By Madie Murray
I don’t tell many people this, but I was born and raised in Pomona, California. But, when I was growing up, there were cows in the fields in back of our home; orange, lemon and kumquat trees on one side, and walnut groves on the other. We raised chickens, turkeys and a variety of other animals, and had a little Victory garden. We even churned our own butter and fresh bottles of milk with several inches of pure cream at the top were delivered to our doorstep. I’d like to say, I was raised on a farm, albeit small by most accounts. My mother, however, was born on a sizable family-owned farm in Illinois, so I guess one could say farming is in my blood.
There are no more farms in Pomona, and I doubt many orange groves are left either. I moved to “The Beach” in the 60’s and never looked back…until I moved to Orcas Island. For me, it was like a step back in time, and seeing sheep, goats, cows, and even alpacas roaming the fertile Orcas land was pure nirvana. A concept I had left behind, but had never forgotten.
The deeper I get into the Farm to Cafeteria Program, the school garden and Farm to Classroom, the deeper my respect goes for the farmers – what they do, and what impact they have on our lives. Not only do they abundantly provide incredible produce and meats for our school cafeteria, they let us use their farms as classrooms – welcoming our kids to their farms to teach them the amazing lessons only farms can…from chasing chickens to gathering eggs from their nests. Digging up vegetables to feeding the pigs. And, best of all, actually tasting and experiencing food right out of the ground. Only a tiny fraction of kids in the world have those opportunities. Our farmers even provide hay, fertilizer and seeds for our school garden, and many of them regularly volunteer items and/or time at fundraisers. How amazing is that?
A life of farming is hard work and long hours with moderate financial reward, but there our farmers are – not only providing, but giving back. I know every single individual on this Island contributes in some way – some in many ways – some in every way. But I feel compelled to say a special thanks to our farmers for what they bring to our Orcas table.
Madie’s memories of growing up on a small farm have raised another crop of our own. Joyce and I were city slickers when we moved up to Orcas in 1981 and bought a small farm in Crow Valley, partly to give our two kids, Ann and David, a chance to experience country living. We treasure now wonderful 4-H memories of raising sheep, milking goats, and enjoying all the wonderful fresh garden produce. But, most of all, we treasure exposing Ann and David to the joy of making it all happen. It made us all far richer than we ever could have become had we stayed in Seattle pursuing more traditional economic goals.
Beautifully said, Madie, and so, so, so true!