Not that any man would ever want to be compared to a unicorn, but this is how the film crew would describe what it was like hearing about Ivor but never seeing him. It's like the whole town has been positively effected by this man and yet, after calls and emails, we could never find him. Finally at dusk he appeared. It was worth the wait.
Granted the mysticism died down after meeting him but the awe factor increased. Ivor is the co-creator of Grasshoppers. It is a collective that nearby farmers can join that facilitates the distribution of their food not only to farmer's markets and CSA members, but also to those located in the West end where there is a huge food discrepancy. While more middle class and affluent areas have one grocery store for every 15,000, the West end has one for every 80,000. There is actually a road where there are 121 fast food restaurants on a 1.5 mile strip. With nearly 80% of the people living in the area not driving cars, fast food is often the only option. Most children eat fast food twice a day there.
Ivor has loved farming since he grew up on a dairy farm as a boy. After attending college and learning even more about the field, he made it his life's work. Oxmoor Farm is a small little area tucked next to I-64 and behind a big golf course. I don't think most people would know it existed. The farm raises a myriad of veggies as well as turkeys. 25% of their yield goes to the CSA members, 50% to the farmer's markets and 25% to Grasshoppers. Often it's the Grasshoppers produce that is served at the Stone Soup kitchen dinners (see previous blog entry for more info).
Very well spoken and dedicated to spreading the wealth of healthy foods for all, he is not about creating a rift between the organic and conventional farmer which was a change. He feels that there is a place at the table for everyone including all types of producers. While not one to use chemicals himself, he believes that in some cases they are needed and doesn't chide farmers who do. He thinks that making a move towards sustainability doesn't mean that someone must be all or nothing, but rather a bit of this and a bit of that.
I have heard this before that the support of local, family farms doesn't mean there should be ostrasization of bigger farms that are conventional. It is true that if we vote with our fork and support the smaller farmer that more money will go into the pockets of those doing the most good, but as Ivor and others have pointed out, a person chooses a life of farming because it is a labor of love. Support all farmers who want to generate food for us, but consumers have the true power, buying from those who raise it most consistently with their beliefs and that will shape farming's future.
We look forward to seeing Ivor again next week as he takes us down to Grasshoppers HQs where the food for the West end is divvied up. So many people are being introduced to fresh, whole food again thanks to Ivor and his vision. We have met the man and now see why so many are so impressed by him. He, like many farmers, does it because he truly cares about the food that people eat and it is evident in all he does.
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