Christmas Turkeys
Posted by Nir Halfon on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 @ 08:59 AM
First there is someone I would like to welcome to this world! Kaylin Jacob Huese was born last Thursday. He is the much anticipated baby in the college. Actually he is the son of Arjen and Margaretha Huese. They are living on campus and it meant that during the birth their small house was surrounded with an air of mystery and anticipation. All is well and he is born, however, he hasn't yet made a public appearance. Hopefully it will happen before the term ends.
Next week Term ends and last week was the traditional time of the year for turkey plucking. Yes it is that time of the year... (the most wonderful time of the year?). We gather our forces and spend a week plucking the turkeys at Tablehurst Farm.
Tablehurst farm which is situated next to the college is a community owned biodynamic farm. It is part of the Tablehurst-Plawhatch Cooperative. The farm produces meat, eggs and flour. Along side with Plawhatch farm (the other partner in the co-op) they basically can provide Forest Row with a large chunk of its food needs. Food security is one of the main issues of concern these days. In my opinion, creating and developing the local food supply is the most obvious way to deal with this issue. The public seems to agree with allotments being taken up, people interested in growing their own, and more Community Supported Agriculture schemes being launched.
One of the questions for me is how can we provide our food needs in a sustainable way. This is a massive question. One can look at it from a farmer's point of view and ask how can I grow food more sustainably? This looks more at the practices: growing food with more variety, better quality and less fossil fuel dependent. On the other hand the consumer point of view is about buying and supporting local food initiatives and developing or becoming a mamber of a local CSA. The CSA is system in Forest Row is a good example how a village can secure local food supply for itself.
From the farmer's point of view, Peter Brown, the farmer at Tablehurst said that he is pleased, because he has the members of the cooperative as partners and advisors instead of farming alone.
In addition, the farm is a big supporter of the training giving us use of their tractors and trailers. Also it is a great resource when we study animal husbandry with farm visits and access to good practice. As a gratitude to the farm it is a tradition that every year the course (first years) helps with plucking the turkeys.
Thank you to the student who persisted all week and helped in plucking turkeys.
And to everyone else Merry Chirstmas and a happy new year!
Blessings,
Nir