 I'm so happy that plaid flannel shirts are back in. ( Did they ever really go out of style?) I wear ratty-tatty attire when at home and a trusty plaid long-sleeve, but I seem to relish the feeling and comfort it brings me when I put it on, more than any blouse and trousers or expensive dress. I have a variety of plaid shirts, combining different plaid prints and in different colour schemes. The best part is all of them are hand-me-downs or thrift store finds. I wear the ones that you see in Country Living magazines from the late 1900’s. Ya, those ones!
I often question if it is ok to wear my plaid shirts to any place other than the barn or the garden... Is it appropriate to wear them to work off-farm? Believe me, there are days I earn to, however I muster up the energy to change and make myself more presentable. The plaid shirts I wear are not beautiful, fitted, plaid shirts that we see in today’s fashion magazines. Nope, mine are colourful, over-sized and holey, but of utmost comfort and to me, quite sexy. Is it odd that I feel my best in an old, holey, over-sized, plaid shirt than a tight fitting, shiny one? I can get away wearing them to my girlfriends for monthly brunches on a Sunday morning, but even then I get a few friendly stares like, when did Claire’s fashion go so wrong! or a comment such as “Claire, what the hell are you wearing?” but they are my friends, so they are stuck with me and my plaid. When asked by many what my wedding colours were, I said “autumn and plaid.” I got weird stares and a few laughs, but to me that is what it was. They asked “why” and I said, “why not”? I was celebrating harvest on the farm (and marriage, of course!) and what better way to decorate than with plaids encompassing the colours of reds and yellows, browns and oranges and earth tone greens and blues. And really, what clothing represents a farmer more than plaid? Once, I created a scarecrow for our annual summer/fall fair. Dressed in dad’s old, plaid shirt and jeans and stuffed with newspapers and straw, I recall this old tradition that so many families took part in. I made sure to keep that shirt long after my scarecrow was done wearing it. Furthermore, I trim my house with plaid and my horse with plaid: plaid horse blankets, plaid house blankets, plaid pillow cases, plaid saddle pads, plaid table clothes and plaid patches and pockets to cover a worn and torn hole. Did I mention I like plaid? No, I am not Scottish. I am Dutch (which may be the reason I shop for plaid shirts at thrift stores!). Considering that plaid is one of the best things about cold weather fashion, you definitely don’t want to miss out on them. Some people fancy them up, but I am stuck in the rut of wearing them with jeans and work boots and am happiest that way. However, there are many other ways to wear a plaid shirt, no matter how casual it seems. They are so versatile, comfortable, cozy and inexpensive! Then again, nothing completes a cool spring or late-fall time of year better than a soft, warm (and slightly holey!) plaid shirt. Whether weeding the garden, scoopin’ poop in the barn, or curling up with a book and hot cup of tea, I prefer plaid all the way.
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Occasionally I run into students at schools that are unaware of where their food comes from. They know little about the science and lifestyle of agriculture that further creates interesting answers and comments, which I must react to in a professional and undefensive manner. Being an elementary school teacher, I hear comments on a regular basis about farming methods and the science of food and farming itself. Often these questions arise out of curiosity, which I honour and am glad to answer, but all too often comments come with negative connotation and rarely contain accurate facts. What students are hearing about agriculture and commenting on in the classroom reveals parental/consumer concerns and that of the increasing organizations and agencies that rebel and work against the industry. Anyone in agriculture knows these statements are a result of being misinformed, but many individuals (young and old) across Canada just do not know! Agriculture is endlessly battling propaganda and half-truths, which our young people of today see and hear. I continuously remind myself and others why it is important to educate nonfarm students about Canadian and international agriculture and how their food is produced.
There was a young girl at a school I used to teach at who began to talk about animal products. She explained that she did not eat eggs, meat or drink any dairy products because they all came from animals. This was a Grade 6 student who could not have a discussion about the topic because she did not even know why she did not eat these products. I froze and carefully thought about how to react to her comments. I took a breath and simply asked her why. She further explained that her mother told her humans should not eat meat or eggs and that only babies drink milk. I was not shocked about the fact that she did not eat meat, as everyone has a right to choose what they want to eat, but I was more concerned by the idea that her mother was pushing a tremendous amount of beliefs on her daughter at such a young age. Rather than teaching her daughter and learning about the science behind food production with her daughter, she simply told her ‘this is how we are going to eat’ and filled her mind with perceptions and judgment rather than actual facts. A child who loves her mother can only believe what she is hearing, as most children look up to their parents and their life choices. I was sad, but did only what a teacher could do in that situation. I told her that I live on a farm and explained how well we treat our animals and what a great life they live. I remained very calm and happy in my conversation, so we could have an appropriate teacher-student dialogue. We briefly discussed how animals eat other animals in every part of the food chain. When I told her I was a farmer her eyes lit up and her curiosity peaked. I was glad to see her interest in the subject and I was genuinely interested in the reaction on her face as she slowly realized that maybe mom is not the only person with information. I left the conversation there because it is not my place to insult her family choices, but I think I triggered some interest in her young mind, which is all I hoped to do! As I regularly read through the school curriculum documents I am saddened that there is little information on agriculture within their pages. In the elementary curriculum students learn little about the science behind their food and all the different aspects of farming. Luckily, we have programs like Agriculture in the Classroom, which “enhances the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of agriculture in everyday life” (www.aitc-canada.ca). I have heard teachers say to students “farmers are the cause of erosion and polluted waters and...” while at the same time these teachers relish in buying my farm fresh eggs, asking me questions about purchasing meat directly from farm to table, and how we create our vegetable garden, etc. Many of these teachers are even misinformed, unfortunately, but I see that the want to know is usually present. Documents tells them one thing, magazines and TV tells them another (the list goes on...) and it is often hard to put all the concepts and different contexts together to even understand how the pieces may or may not fit into agriculture. It means a lot to me when I am asked a question and they genuinely want to know the answer or have my opinion. I try to avoid any form of argument in the workplace, so I found myself saying nothing at times, when I overheard students and/or teachers (consumers) talking about a controversial topic and immediately believing whatever they heard in the media or read on the internet. Now, I realize that it is ok to speak up because in most cases they just want to know and be connected to agriculture. I have been able to be a part of this greater awareness. North America is becoming increasingly illiterate in the field of agriculture. Consumers are only shown distorted information about the food production system, but never the positive information. Most consumers believe that all our food comes from large corporations, but in reality, a lot of our food comes from family farms. I think where the confusion lies is in the size of family farms. Family farms are not small 25-50 acre farms anymore. Although some remain small in size and produce substantial products, many are thousands and thousands of acres, specializing in a few commodities rather than just one. These (farms) are still owned by a family and it is usually a farm passed down from generation to generation and expanded upon as necessary to keep the farm efficient and successful in our ever-changing economy and technological world. Family farms employ outside individuals to be able to manage the business, as a large successful farm can rarely run solely by the few individuals within an immediate family. Agriculture, even on the family farm, relies on science and technology more than it ever has before. This is how farmers meet demand in a sustainable and efficient manner. These technological advances and large (family) farms often create the uncertainties for the public. I always try to reflect on situations and refine my knowledge to be able to talk to students and the general public about the negative information that rapidly circulates through our society. Students, teachers and parents need to have the basic understanding of agriculture. It is the key to a successful and healthy life and it affects our population every day. Ontario Farm and Food Care is a fabulous organization that helps to develop farmers into confident speakers about the industry. Also, they produced The Real Dirt on Farming, which describes various sector issues, contains information about agricultural practices, real farm stories, GMOs, and the impact farming can have on the environment. If you are a parent or teacher, visit www.realdirtonfarming.ca/speakers.php and use this valuable resource to inform yourself and your children or students about the many topics and views in farming. Contact someone knowledgeable and with real life experience to come and speak to your family or your classroom. If we are not educating students for future sustainability of farming, what will become of agriculture in our country and our lives? |
AuthorMy name is Claire and I love to write about the farming lifestyle and share ideas, memories and funny farm stories! Archives
December 2018
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