Great question Meg. I am often wondering how to have more of any local community see or truly understand what goes on at the farms where they get their food, especially if the farms are local. I don't think short chats at a farmer's market or pick-your-own days really show customers the realities of farming. I'm never sure what would work, that is also actually practical for the farm (they can't have neighbors shadowing them at random times!). Maybe demonstration farms like you have at NC State are part of the answer. Maybe there is a way for farmers to share more, on their own terms, through talks or video or writing or...something?
Great question Meg. I am often wondering how to have more of any local community see or truly understand what goes on at the farms where they get their food, especially if the farms are local. I don't think short chats at a farmer's market or pick-your-own days really show customers the realities of farming. I'm never sure what would work, that is also actually practical for the farm (they can't have neighbors shadowing them at random times!). Maybe demonstration farms like you have at NC State are part of the answer. Maybe there is a way for farmers to share more, on their own terms, through talks or video or writing or...something?