Diana and Dick Dyer
Organic Farmers Sow Seeds of Change by Melinda Hemmelgarn
STEWARDS OF EARTH’S BOUNTY
F
rom epidemic childhood obesity and rising rates of autism and food allergies to the growing risks of pesticides and climate change, we have many reasons to be concerned about the American food system. Fortunately, many heroes among us—family farmers, community gardeners, visionaries and activists—are striving to create a safer and healthier environment now that will benefit future generations. Recognizing and celebrating their stellar Earth stew- ardship in this 2014 International Year of Family Farmers, Natural Awakenings is spotlighting examples of the current crop of heroes
providing inspiration and hope. They are changing America’s landscape and the way we think about the ability of good food to feed the future well.
Doug Crabtree and Anna Jones-Crabtree, of Vilicus Farms, in Havre, Montana, are reviving crop bio- diversity and pollinator habitat on their organic farm in northern Montana. “We strive to farm in a manner that works in concert with nature,” Doug explains. The couple’s actions live up to their
farm’s Latin name, which means “stew- ard”. They grow 15 nourishing crops on 1,200 acres, including flax, buckwheat, sunflower, safflower, spelt, oats, barley and lentils, without pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. By imitating nat- ural systems, planting diverse crops and avoiding damaging chemical inputs, they are attracting diverse native pollinators, he notes. Their approach to farming helps protect area groundwater, streams, rivers and even oceans for future generations.
Anna Jones-Crabtree 16 NA Twin Cities Edition
Dick and Diana Dyer, of Dyer Family Organic Farm, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, finally realized their lifelong dream to farm in 2009, each at the age of 59. The couple grows more than 40
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varieties of garlic on 15 acres; they also grow hops and care for honeybees. In addition, they provide hands-in-the-soil training to a new generation of dietetic interns across the country through their School to Farm program, in association with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Diana, a registered dietitian, teaches her students to take the, “We are what we eat” adage a step further. She believes, we are what we grow. “Like nearly everyone else, most dietetic students are disconnected from Mother Earth, the source of the food they eat. They don’t learn the vital connections between soil, food and health,” says Diana. During a stay on the Dyer farm, she explains, “The students begin to understand how their food and nutrition recommendations to others can help drive an entire agricultural sys- tem that promotes and protects our soil and water, natural resources and public health.” It all aligns with practicing their family farm motto: Shaping our future from the ground up.
Mary Jo and Luverne Forbord, of Prairie Horizons Farm, in Starbuck, Minnesota, raise Black Angus cattle, grazed on certified organic, restored, native prairie pastures. Mary Jo, a registered dietitian, welcomes dietetic students to the 480-acre farm to learn where food comes from and how to grow it without the pesticides that con- tribute to farmers’ higher risk for certain cancers. “We must know the true cost of cheap food,” she insists. Most recently, they planted an
organic orchard in memory of their son, Joraan, who died of cancer in 2010 at the age of 23. Joraan’s orchard
photo by Dan Hemmelgarn
Photo by NRCSMontana Library
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