From wheat farmers in Western Washington State to aquaculture reform, their work…and roster of clients is truly impressive.
What may be even more impressive is this:
This is Jen’s business card, and I ask for one every time I see her. From that moment on, I’ll walk around the room, card in hand, asking, “Have you seen this??? Let me introduce you to Jen!” Viral buzz? Perhaps. But I think their business cards are brilliant. Neatly wrapped in a translucent sheath, the package includes one Good Food Strategy business card…and tiny scoop of carrot seeds.
On the back, it says, simply:
Brilliant, no?
Ideas are like seeds…best if you sow them. And that is what I aspire to do here: inspire. My hope is that these posts will inspire you to meet the farmers, host a dinner party or a cookbook club, reach out to your community and find the people who share your passion.
This is my attempt to reach out and live the best life I can.
What’s yours look like?
The other day I received an e-mail, “I’m so jealous of your life.” Truth be told, I was stunned. In many ways, I’m just a girl from Peoria. (Yes, really. It’s the home of Caterpillar Tractor Company, I marched in the Pumpkin Day Parade, and thankfully, I never had to detassle corn in the summer).
I left Peoria, lost and confused. But, lucky for me, I’ve got a Midwestern work ethic. I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I did the next best thing….and got busy. Classes, lectures, events, retreats, tours, campaigns, internships, elections, and interviews….you name it, I did it. Hailing from a part of the country where you have one job and work there your entire life, my scattershot approach did not bode will with the family.
But that rustling in my soul said…press on.
My resume is a patchwork of varied interests that’s just beginning to reveal the pattern. International relations, NGO’s, politics, finance, analyst, PR, marketing and restaurants? After a few cocktails, my friend Becky will repeat, “You’re a real life Forrest Gump!” True, I’ve dumb-lucked my way into some monumental moments in American history. And I’m still baffled many of my idols…are now my closest friends.
People ask me, “What’s the grand plan?”
I have no grand plan.
The truth is, I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried!
The other day I came across a sign that read, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” Testing the waters, going out on a limb, the thing that surprises me the most, is that moment of self discovery. It’s like opening a treasure chest and being blinded by the contents inside. Too often, I close the lid fast-as-I-can.
And yet, somehow, I’ve managed to puzzle together a life I fantasized about, sitting in my bedroom with the lime green carpet, unicorn poster on the wall…charging forward with flaring nostrils, and beside me, a stack of books far too geeky to read on the bus. In many ways, I am still that girl with pink checkerboard Vans…who dreamed about runway shows in Paris and longed to look like Linda Evangelista.
“Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”
And so it is.
Sow your idea.
***
Speaking of great ideas…check out these upcoming classes:
Learn to grow seed: Organic Seed Alliance fall events
Contact: Organic Seed Alliance, 360-385-7192, jadyne@seedalliance.org
This September and October, farmers and gardeners in the Pacific Northwest can learn to grow seed, steward heirlooms, and create new varieties. Living in one of the best seed growing regions in the world, Pacific Northwest growers can produce a bounty of high quality seed for home use or for sale. Whether you are interested in continuing the 10,000 year old tradition of seed saving for your home garden or in diversifying your farm income by producing seed commercially, you can what you need to know at an Organic Seed Alliance fall event.
The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) will host three seed events in September and October. OSA is a national leader in organic seed research, education, and advocacy based in Port Townsend, WA. On September 12 and again on September 26, OSA will host a workshop covering basic seed saving and variety improvement concepts for gardeners and farmers. On October 9-10, OSA will host an advanced course covering the fundamentals of organic seed production and variety improvement for farmers. All events will be held at WSU Port Hadlock and are supported by WSU Jefferson County Extension. Please see the Organic Seed Alliance website (http://www.seedalliance.org/), or call 360-385-7192 for more information.
Calendar of Events
September 12 or September 26 ~ Port Hadlock, WA
Title: Seed 101
Description: Learn to grow seed, steward heirlooms, and create new varieties at this class for Pacific Northwest gardeners and farmers. Whether you’ve saved seed before or are complete beginner, this is a great chance to learn about seed and connect with other seed savers in our region. We will cover basic seed concepts including timing of planting, ideal population sizes, preventing cross-pollination, selecting for improved varieties, seed maturation and harvest, and seed cleaning techniques.
This event is sponsored by the Organic Seed Alliance and WSU Jefferson County Extension. Registration is $50 and includes lunch. You must register at least 7 days in advance to be included in the lunch order. Please call 360-385-7192 or e-mailhttp://us.mc657.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jadyne@seedalliance.org to register or for more information.
Date and time: choose either September 12 or September 26. 9:00am–3:00pm
Location: Spruce Room, WSU Port Hadlock, 201 W. Patison (on Highway 19)
October 9-10 ~ Port Hadlock, WA
Title: Fundamentals of Organic Seed Production and Variety Improvement
Description: Learn the fundamental skills to produce seed and develop and adapt seed varieties for your organic farm conditions at this workshop hosted by the Organic Seed Alliance. Organic Plant Breeding Specialist Dr. John Navazio will discuss such topics as: the biology of seed production, choosing appropriate seed crops for your system and climate, maintaining the genetic integrity of varieties with appropriate population sizes and isolation distances, conducting variety trials, simple and effective breeding techniques such as mass selection and progeny selection, and processing and marketing seed.
This event is sponsored by the Organic Seed Alliance and WSU Jefferson County Extension. Registration is $150 and includes lunch on both days. Please call 360-385-7192 or e-mail http://us.mc657.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jadyne@seedalliance.org by September 29 to register and be included in the lunch order.
Dates and times: Oct 9th 8:00am-5:00pm and Oct 10th 9:00am to 4:00pm
Location: Spruce Room, WSU Port Hadlock, 201 W. Patison (on Highway 19)
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