I don't see a place for human-made poison in our ecosystem or food supply. I can see the argument they're making, but I think it's very flawed. Basically, I don't believe in coexistence of genetically modified organisms and organics. In fact, biologically, it's not possible because once they contaminate organic seed it can destroy an entire sector of the agriculture economy. I don't mean to say that we can't be progressing. People have been doing genetic breeding for generations, but I don't think we need to do it with white lab coats on and million-dollar greenhouses.
What's the toughest part about growing organically?
We've had lots of crops that have been difficult. Part of being on land that's been farming vegetables organically for so long is that pests really know where the goods are so they flock to us, unfortunately. That's part of the risk of farming.
How is EarthDance expanding?
This year we have an additional way for folks to get involved. We have an educators learning circle, which was really the response to the number of teachers who were interested in the apprenticeship program but who couldn't commit to the full nine months, ten hours a week. So we wanted a way for teachers who want to get their school on board with the good food movement to tap into resources and also network with those peers. I think that's one of the really great outcomes of the apprenticeship program, that people create connections with other like-minded individuals, and that's what really allows them to do great work with the food movement.
You're working to start a summer-school program on the farm for middle schoolers. Is it more difficult to get kids enthused about farming?
One of the things that's so different about kids is that they have this unbridled enthusiasm for it. I think kids, if they haven't been told that they shouldn't get dirty too much in their lives, they're happy to get dirty. Kids are just into it right away.
Do you have a hard time getting kids to eat the vegetables they've planted?
I think one of the big myths about kids is that they don't like vegetables, and they don't want to eat healthy foods. But if kids are outside and see other people eating vegetables right off the plants, they'll do the same. We'll show them arugula for the first time, and we'll say," do you want to try it?" And they'll take a leaf off and eat it right there. I think most folks can't even imagine kids eating arugula. You can get the whole peer pressure thing to work in your favor. And you got to pick the right kid to try it first so they don't spit it out because then the others will probably think it's gross.
Is there any vegetable that you don't like?
There were vegetables I didn't like before I started growing them -- like radishes, I thought [they] were gross. But now I love radishes. I think that could go for a lot of things. And I have apprentices where that experience really came across to them last year. They thought they hated turnips; they thought they hated okra; they hated kale and had never had it. And then it became their favorite vegetable.
EarthDance is on four-plus acres of the Mueller Organic Farm. Do you have plans to buy more land?
As soon as the farm is up for sale, we're going to be undergoing a major campaign to buy the farm. It's fourteen acres.
What's been your reaction to being the first winner of the Young Food Leader award from the Natural Resources Defense Council?
It's been really incredible. I'm just kind of in this post-event daze. It was really incredible and inspiring. I was so honored to be right up there onstage with the other three folks who won Growing Green Awards.
