The Big Project...

Yikes! As usual, I'm slow to jump on the bandwagon--so I'm continuing my last post here, instead of Lovemongering Thursday...

Ok, so I mentioned in my last post that I had this idea to do something different with BigTownFarmer. To be honest, I love my little magazine, love the writers and contributors, even the never ending research, etc. But, it's a lot. A lot for a girl looking for a job while maintaining the semblance of the job she has, doing art, and living in the crazy ole city.

It probably--*ahem*--would be helpful if there were advertisers, paid sponsors, or paid readership through subscriptions, but after over a year of investigating this, endlessly looking for advertising, and so on--it hasn't been come to fruition.

Parallel to that, I've always wanted to take a bit of a stronger stand on the preservation of farm life. While I love the stories we've done so far, and will continue with them, my Inner Conscience (yes, it's obnoxious enough that it needs it's name capitalized!) keeps telling me it's no use to pursue these issues if family farms and old fashioned ideals go to hell in a handbasket. With only 2% (!!) of farms being family farms in the entire country(!!!), this slowly seems to be the case, and the government is NOT being encouraging of old-fashioned farming.

Instead, you have corporate farms (and money) ruling legislature on what once was a mighty, and healthy, AND ethical, farming culture. After reading several stories about NAIS, CAFOs (thanks, Barb!) and Monsato (whose head now is the HEAD OF AGRICULTURE at the White House!), and listening to stories of fellow friends, farmers, and green-enthusiasts having a difficult time finding or keeping their jobs..I had a thought...

WHY not convert BigTownFarmer into something that highlighted farming, encouraged it, and spread the word to other urban--but highly interested-- people who wanted to learn about sustainability and adding "farming" into their lives? And maybe highlight women farmers (women are the fastest growing population of farmholders) in the process? Hmm.....

So....

What I am looking for are "experts" who might be interested in writing for us--even short "blog-like" pieces: are you good at raising sheep, cows, potatoes? Baking using organic ingredients? Raising gardens organically or biodynamically? Do you do old-fashioned crafts? Art that reflects farming life? Are you a woman carpenter? Do you do research about factory farming or other "political" issues that affect farming? Are you good at advising "greenhorns" about how to get their first farm?
Well, I'M LOOKING FOR YOU! We will feature you as writers...PLUS, I need good speakers because I am trying to work this into a speaking tour sort of thing--so let me know if you, or anyone you know might be interested!

Would YOU be interested?? Just drop me a line! Now excuse me while I start revamping BigTownFarmer.