So, now I better say who I am. First off, my name is Katie. I was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN and by fate have wound up in California working for Jeff and Annie at the Davis Farmers Market. I actually fell in love with Davis the moment I saw the market. I told myself “Davis is where I’m going to school and the market is where I’m going to work.” From the day my parents dropped me off in Davis after driving across the country until now, I have had the privilege of working for the Mains at the farmers market. Without a doubt, my life in Davis would not be the same without them.
But besides working for the Mains two days a week, I am a student at the University of California Davis studying International Agricultural Development. I have a strong interest in creating an agricultural system that encourages new farmers and sustains the current ones, promotes more ecologically sound agricultural practices, and ensures that all people have access to good food. But my true passion lies in the kitchen where my creativity and love for food has no limits. Food is truly amazing. I love everything about it: how it grows, how it tastes, and, most of all, how it connects people. After all, it was food that brought me to Davis, then to the market, and ultimately to the Good Humus stand.
Now what about this movie- The Last Crop? Well, for me it all started about a year ago. It was a cold Saturday morning at the Davis Farmers Market and, as I was standing there doing my thing- weighing produce and giving out change- I realized I was being filmed. That is when I first met Chuck Schultz and David Ranghelli. It was a friendly encounter, but I didn’t think much of it. Then about ten months later I get an email from Chuck saying he’s coming to Davis and wants to show some of the documentary he is doing on Jeff and Annie to some students. Wow, this is the real deal.
Less than a week ago Chuck came to campus and presented the trailer. It was stunning. My appreciation and admiration for the Mains grew even more. The ten minute snippet captured a side of Jeff and Annie that I don’t get to see: at home on the farm. I also don’t get to see the two of them work together. It’s just Annie that comes to market, and on the rare occasion that Jeff does come it’s because Annie can’t. Thus, this movie is testament of their partnership and devotion to each other, their farm, and their community.
After viewing the trailer, the participants, many of which were students, had the opportunity to discuss likes, dislikes, concerns, questions, and suggestions. Much of what we talked about concerned the actual Land Preservation Project that Jeff and Annie are working on. We learned that what makes their easement different is that it ensures the land will continued to be farmed with environmentally responsible methods and that it will be valued solely on the basis of its agricultural value. While similar projects have been done in the Northeast, the Mains are the pioneers in California. Present at the event were both Zach Main, eldest child in the family who I work with at the market, and Kendra Johnson, the regional coordinator for California Farmlink. It was great to hear Zach’s perspective- how even though it may be hard to see his family farm be passed on to someone else, he knows it’s what his parents want and, thus, what he wants. He testified that just because he or neither of his sisters may want to farm doesn’t mean the farm has to go. It’s good humus and it’s here to stay!
Now, I am just anxiously waiting to see the rest of the documentary. But no worries, you don’t have to be anxious, just patiently excited. Until the opening day, I’ll be blogging for you all to keep you updated on what’s happening at Good Humus and in the world of agriculture. I look forward to sharing more in the near future.
Cheers to you all,
Katie
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