Local Farming: A Multi-Solving Approach to Our Ailing Physical and Mental Health
Author: Sarah Murray
When I go and visit my grandparents in their coastal New England town and as the warmer months approach, I can always anticipate that my Sicilian grandfather will say, “Sarah, let’s go outside and see the garden” and he will show me all of its abundance with glowing pride in his face and a pep in his step. He has the same centered calmness and pride when we’re in Sicily and he says, “Hey, let’s go take a trip to the olive trees today.” While he tends to his garden every year with patience and care, my grandmother is in the house cooking something delicious, nutritious and locally sourced right from their backyard.
While my grandfather immigrated from Sicily for more opportunities beyond farming, it is very clear to me that his spirit becomes more alive when he is out there in the sun tending to his vegetables and finding purpose and connection to his roots. Although he typically has a dry sense of humor and a lot of passion, I notice he slows down, takes deeper breaths and smiles more when we’re out there observing his accomplishments and connection with nature.
There is so much talk today about what we are putting in our bodies. “We shouldn’t eat anything with canola oil in it.” “This food is over-processed.” “Only go organic.” “You should try this diet.” It is very clear that America is a country that carelessly mass produces, can promote overconsumption and is incredibly wasteful. We’re noticing the many health problems and environmental issues that are arising from this. While I mentioned my grandfather's mental health is noticeably healthier while tending to his garden, it is also very clear that his locally sourced, mediterranean diet has also contributed to his longevity and overall physical health. It has also been proven that places that value this kind of lifestyle are known for living a longer, healthy and happier life. As Italy and many other places like Japan are well known for being a blue zone, we should try and explore what it is about farming or gardening that can create multi-solving solutions and bring us back to honoring our own true nature and origins.
What are the ways local farming can impact our health for the better?
It can create a sense of purpose
It can bring people with a mission and purpose together
It can promote healthier nutrition and proper nutrition education which can reduce the increasing health issues
It can bring communities together and alleviate feelings of loneliness or isolation
It can instill patience and mindfulness while connecting to nature
It can promote food justice in areas that are underserved or not given proper access to nutritious food
What is care farming?
Care farming originated in the Netherlands and the UK as an approach to find healing community spaces by connecting agriculture and social well-being. Care farming, also known as social farming, brings communities together to transform agriculture and farming practices into a proven effective therapeutic practice. "Care farming, the concept of combining agricultural places and practices with the provision of health, social, and educational services, has arisen as an innovative modality for providing forms of care, therapy, and rehabilitation." (Hassink et al., 2010) It has a combination of therapeutic contact with farm animals), horticultural activities, social interaction, and wider nature-based activities and this can provide a sense of purpose. These nature-based activities include tending to animals, livestock, garden tending, habitat restoration and produce collecting among many other things.
Some ways care farming has made positive impact:
It creates an interrelationship between nature, community, health & wellbeing
It has particularly been proven supports to support individuals and families who have experienced traumatic loss
Studies show that just after a two day intervention of care farming, there was significantly less subjective distress
It has been proven to decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms
It is a community that is non-hierarchical, democratic, inclusive and a holistic environment
It creates education, training & employment opportunities
It impacts change in rural development and creates social inclusion
City leaders are joining the movement and see the impact!
When we think of farming, we often think of more rural landscapes. However, urban farms are also a growing concept that also promote multi-solving solutions in these same ways. Harlem Grown, founded by Tony Hillery in 2011, is a Harlem based youth development nonprofit that encourages education of urban gardening in schools. There are currently 13 urban agriculture facilities such as soil-based farms, hydroponic greenhouses and school gardens.
Imagine a world where growing produce and enjoying home made food brings people together. Imagine a world where we utilize the resources we have at our fingertips and we become more present in nature together. It can be simple and less complicated than the fast diets and ever changing health concerns. It’s not just about farming or gardening, it’s about enjoying food that tastes and feels better after you watched it grow and it’s about the people you share that experience with.
How You Can Get Involved with Local Farms:
Eastie Farms (Boston, Ma)
Selah Care Farm (Austin, TX)
Cultivate Farms (Bolton, Ma)
BINA Farm Center (Lexington, Ma)
ARISE at the Farm (Chittenango, NY)
Smile Farms (Jericho, NY)