Not a gardener.

On the first page of the West Coast Seeds 2007 Gardening Guide: Seeds, Supplies and Wholefoods seed catalogue, then (and maybe still) President of West Coast Seeds Ltd., Mary Ballon, makes the following address:

"Today I want to share something that really helped me prepare for the future. It has to do with the difference a word can make. Will I be a 'gardener' or a 'farmer' on my city lot? The implications are profound. Am I to tend the property, to keep it nice looking and raise a few vegetables or am I going to raise food and ensure the long-term fertility of that soil and the security of my family? All over the world small scale agricultural producers are called farmers I think we need to become a nation of people who see themselves as farmers, as creators rather than consumers. I will be a farmer and I urge you to ponder that perspective for your own efforts. A neighbourhood of farmers, sharing their harvest and their seeds and their recipes will strengthen our communities."

Ever since I first read this, it made sense to me - and I think that Ms. Ballon skillfully articulates the sense of purpose that I feel. Though to be honest, I don't know if I'm ready to start calling myself a "farmer". But what the heck, maybe I'll just try it for a while and see if it catches on.

Farm on!