Since I began my business a little over a year ago, the slow and steady process of developing it has been one filled with a constant stream of encounters with folks that are just as conscious about the environment as I’ve become. These are people who value all the connections between the choices we make and the impact each one of those choices directly affects our families, communities, country and the world.
So let me tell you about one such encounter and what led up to it…
Having grown my own food for years and appreciating the hard work that goes into every inch of soil that is nurtured for the production of food, I can attest to the fact that farming is a noble cause and that the farmers that elect this profession are truly devoted. I have learned a lot from food and its production. If it is grown responsibly and eaten at its optimum, food naturally creates a healthier body.
In a way, the food movement and mission of eating foods that are locally grown and in season (eliminating a high carbon footprint) is one of the reasons I chose to build my business with the same basic principles so often referred to as “slow food”. I began to realize that my business needed to become a slow business as well. This, in turn, led me to ask questions about how I could really start to create the type of business with a consciousness to its eco-footprint and do the right thing for clients and the environment.
So as a business, I work with my clients in a variety of ways to help them create beauty in a mindful way in and around their home. But that wasn’t enough. I truly believe that I need to give of myself in educating others too. I hope to do that through the blogs by writing on topics such as living a more sustainable life.
I am so eager to share with you about a great example of what I’ve chosen to do in my community – I recently joined a group called the Rockland Farm Alliance (RFA). I get so excited when I see a group is doing the right thing, and love to share those successes.
Last June they signed a lease with the County and the Town of Clarkstown to farm five acres of the former Cropsey Farm in New City, the first organic, community-supported farm of that size to be started in Rockland! By Spring 2011, we will be providing locally grown, nutrient-dense, organic produce to Rockland residents through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, as well as pursuing opportunities to provide local produce to schools and restaurants. Such farms are not only productive; they help keep our county green and beautiful. With land still available, we hope that Cropsey will be only the first of several new local organic farms to be started by the RFA.
As is the case in any growing organization, particularly at the local level, we are able to grow through the involvement of people who share the same goals as us and are committed to improve our local community and the resource for getting good healthy food.
So if you are in my local community, I urge you to get involved. Volunteer at the farm. We’d love for you to become a member. If you live elsewhere, find out where you can help create and nurture a farmer’s market, a local community garden or start your own.
I encourage you to be thoughtful about where you spend your time and money. Every little bit counts. Share with me what you are doing in your community.