One of the great things about Chautauqua County is the changing of the seasons and the cultivation and preservation of the land by hard working farmers. I have lived several places including San Francisco, CA and Palermo, Sicily. In these places, the seasonal changes are far less drastic and life seems not to have the same ritual feel. Living in our corner of the world allows one to appreciate each season for what it is (although winter can sometimes feel unending). Also, it allows us to dig deeper into the traditions: raking the leaves, enjoying darker beers, all gathering as a family around the Thanksgiving table and turning on the football game. We can do all this while digesting the cornucopia of good food produced here.
These seasonal traditions remind us how we are inextricably linked to the land. It is the earth that provides us with the bounty that allows us to survive so we can celebrate another harvest. Perhaps no portion of the population knows this more than farmers. Chautauqua County has long been a region driven by agriculture.
Growing up in a farmhouse in Sherman, NY where we always had a garden and a smattering of animals including chickens, I learned early on the importance of local food. We lived across the street from a dairy farm and I was constantly reminded of the vital role of agriculture in our lives.
Knowing where my food comes from was not hard for me. It was not until I moved to a city that I became aware that there are large portions of the population that don’t have a clue where their food comes from or the importance of small farms and thoughtfully produced food.
In recent years, this area has benefitted from a renewed commitment to local, sustainable agricultural products. But the precedent is there because the roots run deep. We have a history of agriculture that reaches back hundreds of years. So let’s raise a glass or a fork, to all of the hardworking farmers that make our lives so rich as the seasons continue to change.
Loren Mayshark is the award-winning author of Death: An Exploration and Academic Betrayal. For more, you can visit his website lorenmayshark.com and you can keep up with him on Twitter at @LorenMayshark. Sign up for his newsletter and receive regular updates and a free gift.
