Holcomb Farm

5 days ago

SOME GREAT HISTORY SHARED BY THE CT DEPT. OF AG.
Agricultural Pioneer's Legacy Intertwines Black History Month and CSA Programs

February is a time to honor Black History Month and celebrate National Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Month, two important causes that highlight community, sustainability, and empowerment. The legacy of Dr. Booker T. Whatley, an agricultural pioneer, is intertwined in these observances as he laid the foundation for the modern CSA program.

Dr. Whatley, an African American horticulturist and educator, introduced the concept of the CSA model in the 1960s. His idea was simple: help small farmers connect directly with their communities through subscription-based farming. People could buy “shares” of a farms seasonal produce, creating a steady income stream for farmers and providing consumers with fresh, local food.

Dr. Whatley’s vision – rooted in commitment to agricultural sustainability and social justice – has evolved into the CSA programs of today – spanning beyond in-season fruits and vegetables, to include cut flowers, meats, dairy, and shellfish. CSAs make fresh, local farm products available while building sustainable food systems, especially in underserved communities. Dr. Whatley’s contributions continue to inspire the CSA movement, which empowers farmers and consumers, encouraging healthier food choices and stronger community ties.

As we celebrate Black History Month and National CSA Month, it is important to recognize Dr. Booker T. Whatley’s role in shaping CSA programs, fostering a more sustainable and connected future for both agriculture and local communities.

For more information about the impact of Whatley’s work, visit www.smithsonianmag.com/.../you-can-thank-black.../. ... See MoreSee Less

Holcomb Farm

5 days ago

An ode to farmingThey ran to the groceries, they filled up their carts,
They emptied the Tops and Price Chopper and Walmart,
They panicked and fought and then panicked some more,
Then they rushed to their homes and they locked all the doors.
The food will be gone! The milk eggs and cheese!
The yogurt! The apples! The green beans and peas!
The stores have run out, now what will we do?
They’ll be starving and looting and nothing to do!
Then they paused, and they listened a moment or two.
And they did hear a sound, rising over the fear,
It started out far, then began to grow near.
But this sound wasn’t sad, nor was it new,
The farms were still doing what farms always do.
The food was still coming, though they’d emptied the shelves,
The farms kept it coming, though they struggled themselves,
Though the cities had forgotten from where their food came,
The farms made them food every day, just the same.
Through weather and critics and markets that fall,
The farms kept on farming in spite of it all.
They farmed without thank yous.
They farmed without praise.
They farmed on the hottest and coldest of days.
They’d bought all the food, yet the next day came more,
And the people thought of something they hadn’t before.
Maybe food, they thought, doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe farmers, perhaps, mean a little bit more. ❤️
✍️ Anna Richards ... See MoreSee Less