Heirloom and Slow Food

Massachusetts Horticultural Society

I want to start my saying I’m so thankful that I was allowed to go to this as my conference requirement.  These are the types of people that I need to network with being in agriculture.  The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, founded in 1829, is the oldest, formally organized horticultural institution in the nation.  They are dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public’s enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of plants and the environment.  John Forti is the director of Masshort and the presenter at the Heirloom and Slow Food event. 

I won’t lie I knew a lot of the information stated at this event due to my background in farming/gardening but I’m glad to have met Mr. Forti since I’ll be seeing him next semester when I work with him to design their school garden.  Most of the discussion was on slow food which basically means the opposite of fast food.  A major principle of slow food is the National School Garden Program which I’m a big advocate for.  This program teaches the youth of America how to reconnect with their food (since most think their food comes from the grocery stores but don’t know where to go beyond that) by teaching them how to grow, cook and enjoy real food.  Once these kids are taught they then can turn around and be leaders in the slow food movement.  By becoming informed eaters, they will make a positive impact on the larger world of food and farming into the future.

This event just made my idea after I graduate more concrete.  I want an educational farm to teach exactly what Slow Food and what the National School Garden Program is doing but on a larger scale.  Not only children can benefit from this kind of knowledge.  Everyone can benefit from a garden.  They can make connections not only with the land but with their community helping others towards a greater goal.  No one should go hungry at the end of the day.