The
Connections Among Us
GARY FEHR, GREEN SCHOOL FARMS, LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
The other day I was outside on the farm. It was a pleasant day, very quiet and peaceful. I heard a screech not far away. It took a bit to locate the source but finally I saw the bird, possibly a small hawk, high in a tree. I paused for a few moments to enjoy that connection with another living creature. Eventually it flew off and I resumed my work.
of meal preparation, conversation with our kids or other household members, and detaching from our phones and tablets. We become grounded while we experience the textures, tastes, and smells of the food, and the presence of our loved ones.
When you eat the meal made from fresh, whole ingredients we think of the connection of the food to the I love thinking about connections physiology of our bodies. Medical on all levels. They exist in so science continues to learn of the many different forms. Local food important connections between embodies the topic particularly eating nutrient-dense, minimally well. Many interdependencies are processed food and our overall nurtured and physical and mental supported when wellness. Rather Attending the teA ndni ghet we engage with than zipping through local food. the drive-through farmers af rmersmarket market en route to the next When you buy not only notonly keepskeeps thing, local food gives that fresh tomato this opportunity to or bunch of kale our ourdodollars llarsni het in the enhance our wellness. from the market,
the connections to connections local economy localeconom ybut but The that food started within our community in the soil. Farms are strengthened by increases a sense ni creasesasense that mindfully local food. Attending choose practices the farmers market of connection to of connect i o n o t to build healthy not only keeps our soils mean that dollars in the local our ourcomcommunity u m nity a dazzling array economy, but increases of microscopic a sense of connection and becomes an andbecom esan connections are to our community and at work. Billions becomes an important important way to opmi rtantaw yot and trillions of way to bond socially. m icro orga n i sm s Becoming aware of bond bondsocisocially. ally. symbiotically how we spend our work together converting raw dollars by choosing markets, stores, materials in the air, water, and soil and restaurants that source locally into substances made available to keep us connected to and aware of the plant as it grows. The plant in the importance of the local economy turn is crucial to maintaining that and the resilience that it can offer. population of tiny inhabitants. All these connections are honored Later, when you’re at home preparing the food, those local purchases help to foster interpersonal connections. It helps us slow down. We’re focusing for a time on the simple, enjoyable act
as we cultivate a mindset of appreciation and support for local food. Looking forward to another fantastic year of opportunity to continue building connection.
Green School Farms sells produce at farmers’ markets and to Nebraska schools! Getting fresh, nutritious, local products into Nebraska schools is a win for both the 230,000 students who eat school lunch daily and local producers. Let's get more local products onto the lunch tray in 2022!
Is YOUR district
participating? Find out more at:
go.unl.edu/farmtoschool
LEARN MORE AT
buylocalnebraska.org
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