Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
AMERICA'S HEARTLAND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY...
FARM CREDIT - FINANCING AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AMERICA SINCE 1916.
FARM CREDIT IS COOPERATIVELY OWNED BY AMERICA'S FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
LEARN MORE AT FARMCREDIT.COM
CROPLIFE AMERICA - REPRESENTING THE COMPANIES WHOSE
MODERN FARMING INNOVATIONS HELP AMERICA'S FARMERS PROVIDE
NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GLOBE.
HI I'M ROB STEWART.
YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT REALISTIC FOR MOST OF US TO LEARN MORE
ABOUT AGRICULTURE BY CHANGING CAREERS
OR MAKING OUR WAY TO THE COUNTRY.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T SPEND A LITTLE TIME ON
THE FARM OR MAKE THAT FARM TO FORK CONNECTION
RIGHT IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.
WANT A HANDS ON FARM EXPERIENCE WHILE YOU TAKE A VACATION?
WE'LL TAKE YOU TO VERMONT WHERE ONE COUPLE HELPS
VISITORS APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT GOES INTO
PRODUCING THE FOOD THEY EAT.
A MIDWEST COMMUNITY PROJECT HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE BETTER
UNDERSTAND GOOD NUTRITION WITH SOME SMALL SCALE FARM WORK
IN THEIR OWN BACK YARD.
OUR SHARON VAKNIN MAKES A FARM TO FORK CONNECTION
DELIVERING SOME TASTY RECIPES YOU CAN TRY AT HOME.
AND FARMING RIGHT IN THE HEART OF BOSTON.
IT'S AN URBAN ADVENTURE TO HELP SMALL CHILDREN GET A
TASTE OF RURAL LIFE... CLOSE TO HOME.
IT'S ALL COMING UP ON AMERICA'S HEARTLAND.
♪YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE EYES OF EVERY WOMAN AND MAN♪
♪IN AMERICA'S HEARTLAND LIVING CLOSE TO THE LAND♪
♪THERE'S A LOVE FOR THE COUNTRY AND A PRIDE IN THE BRAND♪
♪IN AMERICA'S HEARTLAND♪
♪LIVING CLOSE CLOSE TO THE LAND♪
♪♪
THERE'S INCREASING EVIDENCE THAT MORE AND MORE AMERICANS
WANT THEIR VACATIONS TO BE ACTIVE... OR FOCUSED ON
HAVING AN EXPERIENCE QUITE DIFFERENT FROM GOING TO A
RESORT OR TOURING THE CAPITAL CITIES OF EUROPE.
AND SOME OF THOSE "ACTIVE" VACATIONS ARE DOWN ON THE
FARM WHERE VISITORS LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW FOOD
MAKES ITS WAY FROM PRODUCER TO CONSUMER.
NOW, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ROLLING UP YOUR SLEEVES
TO BRING IN THE WHEAT HARVEST.
LET'S TAKE YOU TO VERMONT WHERE ONE KIND OF
"FARM STAY" VACATION PUTS YOU CLOSE TO THE LAND...
AFTER A VERY HEARTY BREAKFAST.
[LOUD MOO]
WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GET THIS CLOSE TO A COW?
WHILE TAKING A VACATION?
WELCOME TO THE "RELAXING" LIFESTYLE OF A RURAL RESORT.
LET'S GO FEED THE COWS!
THIS IS SHEARER HILL FARM BED AND BREAKFAST
IN WILMINGTON, VERMONT...
WHERE VACATIONERS LEAVE THE CITY BEHIND...
TO CONNECT WITH LIFE ON THE FARM.
♪♪
SO PEOPLE ARE GETTING FROM THE CITIES AND COMING HERE
TO EXPERIENCE FARM LIFE.
YOU CAN COME AND BE AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE
WITH SIX COUPLES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
AND HERE WE HAVE OUR WALNUT ENCRUSTED FRENCH TOAST.
FOR TWO DECADES, BILL AND PATTI PUSEY HAVE BEEN -
FILLING THE TABLE...
WITH CITY FOLKS...
SEARCHING FOR A COUNTRY VACATION.
MARLENE AND JIM SOLDEN HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FROM
NEW JERSEY FOR TEN YEARS.
ICE!
NO MATTER HOW COLD, THEY COME BACK EVERY WINTER
FOR THE FARM'S ANNUAL RITUAL OF MAKING MAPLE SYRUP.
AND WE COME BACK IN SEMPTEMBER TO HARVEST
WE DUG UP 800 POUNDS OF POTATOES THIS LAST SEMPTEMBER.
WOW, THAT'S A LOT OF WORK.
YEAH, BUT WE HAD A LOT OF FUN-
WE MET A LOT OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE HERE.
WORKING VACATION, HUH?
OH YEAH. WE LOVE IT THOUGH.
WOW, THAT IS FULL. LOOK A THAT.
THEY'LL CALL ON THE PHONE AND YOU DO THE KIND OF AN INTERVIEW
ON THE PHONE OF THEM AND YOU CAN TELL KIND OF THEIR NEEDS,
ALMOST, BY SOME OF THE PHRASES THAT THEY'LL USE.
AND WE'LL SAY, "WELL, THIS IS VERY RELAXING HERE.
WE HAVE A SMALL WORKING FARM."
30 YEARS AGO, THAT SMALL WORKING FARM
SAVED BILL AND PATTI'S MARRIAGE.
TIRED OF CITY LIFE THEY PURCHASED SHEARER HILL
TO RECONNECT WITH EACH OTHER AND THE LAND.
WE KNEW THAT THERE WAS MORE TO LIFE THAN WHAT SOCIETY
AND FINANCIAL SECURITY DICTATES.
AND WE HAD ONE OPPORTUNITY...
AND I LOOK BACK ON THAT NOW AND I THINK WE WERE VERY BLESSED.
TAKE A QUICK DRIVE JUST A FEW MILES AWAY,
AND THAT SAME FAMILY FEELING CAN BE FOUND AT THE ADAMS FARM.
LET'S GO SEE THE ANIMALS.
ANOTHER VERMONT WORKING FARM WHERE VACATIONERS CAN
OPEN THE DOOR TO A REAL FARM EXPERIENCE!
PUT YOUR HAND OUT LIKE THAT, JUST LIKE THAT, GO AHEAD.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GETTING OUT OF THIS?
I THINK JUST A LEARNING EXPERIENCE,
TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE CLOSE TO ANIMALS AND
FEED THEM AND NOT BE AFRAID OF THEM.
JUST TO GET SOME SENSE OF NATURE.
ARE YOU GUYS READY TO MILK A GOAT?
YEAH.
ALRIGHT.
'CAUSE ITS GOAT MILKING TIME.
JILL MANCIVALANO IS THE FIFTH GENERATION TO RUN
ADAMS FARM, HER FAMILY HAS BEEN ON THIS LAND SINCE 1865.
YOU KNOW, THEY LOVE GOING AND GETTING
THE EGGS OUT OF THE CHICKEN HOUSE.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S A THING FOR ME,
THAT I JUST NEVER GET OVER, IS SEEING A KID PICK AN EGG
OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE CHICKEN FOR THE FIRST TIME.
CAN I TAKE IT?
OR IS SHE GONNA BITE ME?
YOU KNOW... OR PECK ME?
AND THEY GET IT!
THIS IS WHAT I EAT FOR BREAKFAST.
HERE WE GO.
OUTSIDE THERE ARE SLEIGH RIDES, SHEEP, AND LAMAS!
SO THIS LLAMA IS PROTECTING ALL THE OTHER SHEEP, RIGHT?
HE, UH.
HE'S HUGE!
THEY'RE VERY SOCIAL ANIMALS,
AND HE ACTUALLY LIVES WITH THE SHEEP.
HE PROTECTS THEM AGAINST THE COYOTES...
AND HE'S GONNA SPIT-!
HEY!
CHILL OUT!
I'M FEEDING YOU, DON'T SPIT AT ME!
RIGHT NOW, AGRICULTURE IS STILL NUMBER ONE HERE IN VERMONT,
AND TOURISM IS TWO.
SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE COMBINED THE TWO ELEMENTS.
ELEMENTS THAT AMOUNT TO A LIVING CLASSROOM FOR KIDS.
BACK AT SHEARER HILL FARM...
THE LESSONS CONTINUE...
LOOK AT THE LITTLE CALF! YAY!
FUN FOR KIDS AND LIFE LESSONS FOR ADULTS.
WE HAVE A FARM HERE, AND PEOPLE WANT TO BE ON THE FARM!
SO IT'S... AND THEY'RE WONDERFUL.
THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, THE SAME DESIRES,
THE SAME CONCERNS, AND YET THEY COME HERE AND THEY JUST...
IT KIND OF RENEWS THEIR SPIRIT.
♪♪
DAIRY COWS ARE BIG BUSINESS IN VERMONT.
THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE IS FAMOUS FOR ITS CHEDDAR CHEESE...
AND ICE CREAM.... THANKS TO BEN AND JERRY'S
WHICH IS PRODUCED IN VERMONT.
THE STATE IS ALSO WELL KNOWN FOR ITS MAPLE SYRUP...
PRODUCED IN THE SPRING AND SHIPPED AROUND THE WORLD.
YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE THAT A NUMBER OF STUDIES HAVE
RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT OBESITY IN YOUNG PEOPLE AND
THE NEED FOR BETTER NUTRITION TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
WE HAVE SEEN SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN JUST THE
PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT A
GOOD WAY TO IMPRESS YOUNG CONSUMERS IS TO GIVE THEM
HANDS ON EXPERIENCE IN DECIDING WHAT THEY EAT AND
FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT HOW IT'S GROWN.
WE'VE BROUGHT YOU STORIES ABOUT SEVERAL PROGRAMS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
OUR JOHN LOBERTINI TAKES A LOOK AT ONE OF THEM IN
KANSAS CITY WHERE YOU'LL FIND SOME SMALL SCALE
FARMING IN A VERY UNLIKELY LOCATION.
♪♪
IT'S AN UNLIKELY SPOT FOR AN AGRARIAN EFFORT... A STREET
CORNER GARDEN IN A GRITTY SECTION OF KANSAS CITY,
KANSAS THAT'S BECOME A SYMBOL FOR CHANGE.
PEA PICKIN', PEA PICKIN'. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOIN' RIGHT NOW.
HEY BE CAREFUL.
ANGELA GREEN IS TEACHING THESE INNER CITY YOUNGSTERS
HOW TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD AND APPRECIATE IT...
OKAY EVERYBODY, I WANT YOU ON OVER TO THE RAISED BEDS.
IN WAYS MOST HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED
THIS IS SOMETHING OUR CULTURE HAS TO REALIZE,
WE CAN STILL EAT OUR TRADITIONAL SOUL FOODS,
BUT WE CAN MAKE THEM HEALTHIER AND STILL HAVE
THEM BE TASTY TO US, OK.
GREEN CREATED THE CITY'S "SALT OF THE EARTH" PROGRAM
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE THAT CHAMPIONS WORK SKILLS,
NEIGHBORHOOD COOPERATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
GO OVER THERE TO THAT BUSH AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND.
FOR 11 YEAR OLD JESSIE WILLIAMS,
THE PROGRAM MEANS HE CAN TURN TO THE COMMUNITY GARDEN FOR FOOD
MOST OF THE STUFF IS VERY GOOD CAUSE I'M A VEGETARIAN,
I LIKE MOST OF THE THINGS WE GROW:
CUCUMBERS, ZUCCHINI'S, SQUASH.
URBAN AGRICULTURE IS PART OF A GROWING TREND ALL OVER AMERICA:
AND IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA,
THOSE AGRARIAN EFFORTS ARE ALIVE AND WELL.
OUR AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS USED TO BE DIVERSIFIED.
WE HAD LARGE FARMS, WE HAD MID-SIZE FARMS, AND WE HAD
SMALLER FARMS EVERY REGION HAD A LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.
KANSAS CITY, AS LITTLE AS 50-YEARS AGO,
USED TO SUPPORT ITSELF.
5-YEARS AGO THE CITY'S CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE
CREATED A PRODUCE EXCHANGE.
THERE, FARMERS POOL THEIR HOMEGROWN GOODS AND MEMBERS
CAN BUY, SELL OR TRADE: HEALTH CARE FUNDERS HAVE
GOTTEN INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOD
PRODUCTION BECAUSE THEY STARTED REALIZING THAT A LOT
OF THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC & THE DIABETES-HEART DISEASE
IS CONNECTED TO PEOPLE'S DIETS.
IN THE UPSCALE WEST BANNISTER NEIGHBORHOOD,
BROOK SALVAGGIO TURNED HER GRANDFATHER'S BACKYARD INTO
A SUBURBAN HOMESTEAD
DAN, DID YOU TAKE THE BIN?
IT TOOK THE NEIGHBORS A WHILE TO EMBRACE THE IDEA.
BUT SALVAGGIO AND HER HUSBAND FEED A NUMBER OF
FAMILIES AND THEY MAKE LIVING THE CONCEPT IS
OPENING EYES: AND PEOPLE JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT
THIS WAS HAPPENING IN SUBURBIA.
THEY STARTED THINKING ABOUT THEIR OWN LAWNS AND THOUGHT
TO THEMSELVES: OH, MY GOSH... I COULD DO THIS!
MAYBE NOT ON THIS LEVEL, BUT I COULD DO THIS.
A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN IS NICE, BUT "POINTS FOR STYLE" DON'T
COUNT IN THE INNER CITY WHERE FEEDING HUNGRY
FAMILIES IS A DAILY CHALLENGE.
63-YEAR OLD SAMMIE DAVIS TEACHES FARMING
TO INNER CITY RESIDENTS.
BUT HE ADMITS IT'S A TOUGH SELL FOR PEOPLE
MORE ACCUSTOMED TO EATING FAST FOOD.
THREE OUT OF TEN, IS GOING TO HE HAPPY, LIKE DOING IT.
THAT OTHER SEVEN IS GOING TO LIKE EATING OUT OF IT,
BUT THEY AIN'T GONNA LIKE GETTING UP AND BENDING OVER.
THE CITY'S GROWING IMMIGRANT POPULATION HAS ADDED
DIVERSITY TO THE CROPS AT THE SMALL COMMUNITY BASED
GARDENS LIKE THIS ONE.
URBAN FARMER ARE TRYING THEIR HAND AT ASIAN MELONS,
LEMONGRASS AND YAMS.
DON'T EVERYBODY SAY IT AT ONCE, BUT WHAT IS IT?
MINT!
BACK AT THE CORNER OF 13TH AND GEORGIA, ANGELA GREEN
TRYING TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON THE NEXT GENERATION.
WE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH.
THE GARDEN IS A METAPHOR FOR LIFE.
WE HAVE TO TEND THE GARDEN, WE HAVE TO PULL THE WEEDS,
WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
AND IT'S JUST LIKE THAT IN OUR LIVES.
IF WE DON'T DO THAT, THEN WE REAP WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SOW.
WE TILL THE EARTH, SOW THE SEAD, CULTIVATE,
PULL THE WEEDS AND PEOPLE WE FEED.
WITH URBAN GARDENS AND PRODUCTIVE FARMS,
THERE'S A LOT GROWING IN THE KANSAS SOIL.
THE SUNFLOWER STATE IS THE COUNTRY'S NUMBER ONE
PRODUCER OF WHEAT AND SORGHUM.
BUT THERE'S A LOT GOING ON UNDERGROUND AS WELL.
THE STATE HAS CATALOGUED MORE THAN 500 CAVES BENEATH
37 KANSAS COUNTIES.
♪♪
I'M SURE YOU'LL AGREE THAT ALMOST ANY MEAL IS BETTER
WITH FRESH PRODUCE FROM THE GARDEN.
THAT'S A GREAT LESSON FOR THOSE YOUNGSTERS IN KANSAS CITY.
THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS... CAN IMPROVE ANY RECIPE.
AND AS LONG AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GOOD THINGS TO EAT,
LET'S CHECK IN WITH OUR SHARON VAKNIN.
SHE HAS SOME RECIPE IDEAS THAT TAKE THE BEST OF THE
COUNTRY AND BRING IT RIGHT INTO YOUR KITCHEN.
♪♪
EGGS ARE ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE INGREDIENTS.
THEY, OF COURSE, MAKE A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST FOOD,
BUT THEY'RE ALSO GREAT IN SAVORY DISHES AND BAKED GOODS.
TODAY, WE'RE MAKING CRISPY DEVILLED EGGS WITH A SPICY
HOLLANDAISE SAUCE.
NOW IN THE GROCERY STORE YOU'LL USUALLY FIND
BROWN EGGS AND WHITE EGGS.
BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT THERE ISN'T A DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE TWO.
BROWN EGGS COME FROM ONE BREED OF CHICKEN WHILE
WHITE EGGS COME FROM ANOTHER.
AND IF YOU GO TO THE FARMERS MARKET YOU MIGHT EVEN SEE
THINGS LIKE BLUE AND GREEN EGGS.
BUT ALL OF THEM TASTE THE SAME.
I'VE GOT ABOUT A DOZEN EGGS ALREADY BOILING ON THE STOVE,
BUT FIRST, LET'S MAKE OUR HOLLANDAISE.
BY NOW OUR EGGS SHOULD BE READY SO THE FIRST THING I'LL DO IS
TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WATER AND PUT THEM RIGHT INTO ICE WATER.
AND WHAT THIS DOES IS MAKE THE PEELING PROCESS A LOT EASIER.
IT SEPARATES THAT SHELL A LITTLE BIT FROM THAT EGG WHITE.
NOW WE'LL SET THIS ASIDE- LET IT DO ITS MAGIC WHILE WE
PREPARE OUR SPICY HOLLANDAISE SAUCE.
NOW I'VE GOT A SMALL POT OF WATER HERE
THAT I'LL BRING TO A SIMMER.
AND WHILE THAT'S HEATING UP,
I'M PUTTING THREE EGG YOLKS INTO THIS BOWL.
SO TO THAT WE'RE GOING TO ADD ABOUT
A TABLESPOON OF LEMON JUICE.
THAT BRINGS DOWN THE PH OF THE HOLLANDAISE.
AND WE'LL START WHISKING.
THE WATER'S HEATED UP SO NOW WE'LL PUT OUR BOWL RIGHT ON
TOP TO CREATE A DOUBLE BOILER.
SO NOW WE'LL DO THE SAME THING,
WHIPPING THESE EGG YOLKS OVER THE DOUBLE BOILER REMOVING
IT EVERY SO THAT THEY DON'T HEAT UP TOO MUCH AND THEN CURDLE.
NOW YOU KNOW YOU'RE READY TO ADD THE BUTTER WHEN THE
SAUCE CREATES THESE BEAUTIFUL RIBBONS.
SO, A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME... WE'LL START ADDING BUTTER.
AND INCORPORATE IT AGAIN OVER THE HEAT.
NOW WHEN THE BUTTER IS INCORPORATED,
IT'S TIME TO ADD YOUR SPICES.
SO I SAID WE'RE ADDING A SPICY HOLLANDAISE SAUCE AND
FOR MY "KICK" OF SPICE , I LIKE TO USE SRIRACHA WHICH
IS AN ASIAN SPICY GARLICKY CHILI SAUCE.
AND WE'LL ADD A FEW TEASPOONS HERE.
AND NOW IT'S GOT THAT PINKISH REDDISH COLOR AND THE LAST
THING WE'LL DO IS SEASON IT WITH A LITTLE SALT AND PEPPER.
SO OUR HOLLANDAISE IS DONE AND NOW IT'S TIME TO GET ON
TO THE DEVILLED EGGS.
THESE EGGS ARE PEELED AND I ALREADY CUT THEM IN HALF.
THEY'RE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO LOOKING LIKE
DEVILLED EGGS.
SO THE NEXT THING WE HAVE TO DO IS POP OUT THESE EGG
YOLKS AND MAKE THE STUFFING.
FOR THE STUFFING I LIKE TO KEEP THINGS PRETTY SIMPLE
SINCE WE ARE CRISPING THESE DEVILLED EGGS UP.
AND WE'VE GOT THAT SPICY HOLLANDAISE SAUCE.
SO I'M GOING TO ADD SOME CLASSIC INGREDIENTS.
WE'VE GOT MAYO, PEPPER AND IN THE BOWL I ALSO HAVE
TURMERIC FOR A LITTLE BIT OF "TANG" AND COLOR.
THE REASON THEY CALLED THE "DEVILLED" EGGS IS BECAUSE
OF A SPICY INGREDIENT.
IN THIS CASE I AM USING THE CLASSIC ONE... MUSTARD.
SO ABOUT A TABLESPOON OF THAT AND, OF COURSE, SALT.
AND TO COMBINE ALL THESE INGREDIENTS,
I AM JUST USING A FORK.
FOR TRADITIONAL DEVILLED EGGS YOU WANT THIS MIXTURE
TO BE REALLY SMOOTH AND CREAMY,
BUT BECAUSE WE'RE ADDING A STEP AND CRISPING THEM IT
DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT.
NOW, HERE'S WHAT YOU DO.
WE'LL TAKE AN EGG HALF.
FILL IT UP WITH OUR YOLK MIXTURE.
JUST TO THE TOP.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE OVERSTUFFED.
AND THEN DIP THE BOTTOM IN A LITTLE BIT OF BREAD CRUMBS.
THAT'S IT.
SO WE'VE GOT A NON-STICK FRYING PAN OVER MEDIUM HEAT.
I'LL ADD A LITTLE BIT OF CANOLA OIL HERE AND WHEN IT'S HOT
WE'LL TAKE ONE OF OUR DEVILLED EGGS AND WE'LL PUT IT
YOLK SIDE DOWN INTO THE PAN.
AND ALL WE WANT TO DO HERE IS BROWN THOSE BREAD CRUMBS
AND HEAT UP THE STUFFING.
PERFECT.
OUR EGGS HAVE A NICE GOLDEN COLOR.
THOSE BREAD CRUMBS ARE CRISPY.
IT'S TIME TO PLATE THESE.
HERE'S THE PART WHERE OUR EGG COMPONENTS COME TOGETHER.
SO WE'LL PLATE UP A FEW OF THESE CRISPY DEVILLED EGGS.
GOT A BEAUTIFUL COLOR ON THEM.
THESE ARE GREAT FOR A PARTY... AS AN APPETIZER AT
YOUR NEXT DINNER... OR... AS A LITTLE TREAT FOR YOURSELF.
RIGHT ON TOP GOES OUR SPICY HOLLANDAISE.
THEN FOR COLOR WE'LL ADD FRESH CHIVES.
HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT.
NOW THE ONLY THING TO DO, OF COURSE,
IS TO GIVE THESE GUYS A TRY.
THAT'S DELICIOUS.
♪♪
WE'VE BEEN SHARING SOME AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCES
WITH YOU THIS TIME.
A GROWING NUMBER OF STATES HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZING FARM
AND RANCH FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THEIR
COMMUNITIES FOR SOMETIMES A CENTURY...
SOMETIMES EVEN LONGER.
WHEN THOSE FARMS AND RANCHES ARE CLOSE TO AN URBAN AREA,
IT'S A CHANCE FOR CITY FOLKS...
AND THEIR CHILDREN...
TO BETTER UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT AGRICULTURE.
AND THEY CAN ALSO OFTEN BENEFIT BY BUYING FRESH
PRODUCE OR OTHER FARMHOUSE PRODUCTS.
OUR JASON SHOULTZ SAYS YOU'LL FIND A FARM LIKE THAT
RIGHT IN THE HEART OF BOSTON.
TUCKED IN A THICKET OF WOODS... THESE KIDS SEEM
MILES AWAY FROM THE CROWDED STREETS OF BOSTON.
A SUMMERTIME SCAVENGERS HUNT...
IT DOESN'T REALLY FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN THE HEART OF
BOSTON, DOES IT?
IT DOESN'T, NOT AT ALL; AND SO THE KIDS HAVE A CHANCE TO
JUST SORT OF RUN AND PLAY AND CREATE WHATEVER THEY
WANT TO CREATE.
UHM.. WE CATCH FROGS, WE CATCH TURTLES,
WE CATCH TOADS; THEY CATCH BUTTERFLIES.
SOMETIMES THEY DON'T CATCH BUTTERFLIES
BUT THEY CHASE BUTTERFLIES.
THE BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCES DON'T ALWAYS
HAPPEN IN A CLASSROOM.
AND FOR SIX WEEKS EACH SUMMER SOME OF THE BEST
LEARNING IS HAPPENING AT ALLANDALE FARM IN BOSTON.
SO 10 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR THEY'RE IN THE CLASSROOM;
THERE'S SOME VERY SPECIFIC THINGS THAT TEACHERS
HAVE TO TEACH THEM- THEY HAVE TO GET THROUGH, AND THEN YOU HERE
IN THE SUMMER AND IT'S THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE.
IT'S "WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
WHAT DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO TODAY?
WE'RE OUT ON A FARM; IT'S OVER 100 ACRES,
SHOULD WE GET BUTTERFLY NETS,
SHOULD WE GET BUG CATCHERS?"
LOOK IT, I FOUND THREE MORE BALLS.
THREE MORE BALLS.
THEY'RE FINDING SEEDS.
THEY- THEY- THEY'RE FINDING SEEDS AND TURNING THOSE INTO
BALLS FOR CREATURES TO PLAY WITH;
THEY'RE BUILDING FORTS HERE.
SO WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF FORTS THAT THE KIDS BUILT.
ALLANDALE FARM IS SITUATED ON JUST OVER ONE HUNDRED
ACRES OF HISTORIC LAND THAT'S BEEN IN THE SAME
BOSTON FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS.
THE CHILDREN'S CAMP FITS INTO THE FAMILY'S MISSION
OF PRESERVING THIS GROUND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
JOHN LEE IS NOT A FAMILY MEMBER,
BUT HAS MANAGED THE FARM FOR 30 YEARS.
THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE OWNED THIS LAND FOR SO LONG
THAT IT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PASS IT ON, AS IT WAS
IN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS THAT PASS IT ON TO THEM,
AND TO- TO KEEP THEM INVOLVED IN IT.
IT'S AN HEIRLOOM.
THEY SEE IT AS A VALUABLE ASSET AND A SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY TO PRESERVE THE FARM.
IT'S A TYPICAL YANKEE HARD SCRABBLE FARM,
A LOT OF SMALL FIELDS, AND WHEREVER WE DON'T HAVE
BEDROCK OR REALLY WET SOILS, WE CAN PLANT.
SO WE HAVE A LITTLE FIELD HERE,
A LITTLE FIELD THERE AND UH, WE GROW ANYTHING WE
THINK WE CAN, SELL AND A FEW THINGS WE'RE NOT SURE ABOUT
WITH HIGH LAND PRICES, DEVELOPING THIS PROPERTY
WOULD BE THE EASY WAY TO MAKE IT PROFITABLE.
PRESERVING IT AS A FARM AND STAYING PROFITABLE IS HARDER.
BAD WEATHER CAN TURN A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
INTO A BUST OVERNIGHT.
SO IT REQUIRES TRYING NEW THINGS...
LIKE THE SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM.
A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IS ALSO
PART OF THE FARM'S FINANCIAL PICTURE.
INSTEAD OF BEING AT THE MERCY OF THE UPS AND DOWNS
OF SALES IN THE FARM'S ROADSIDE STORE,
ALLANDALE GETS UPFRONT PAYMENTS FROM CSA MEMBERS
FOR WEEKLY BOXES OF PRODUCE.
THEY COME AND THEY PAY A SET PRICE,
THEY GET A GREAT DEAL ON IT AND, UM, OVER THE COURSE OF
THE SUMMER, WE HOST A NUMBER OF EVENTS WITH 'EM THAT
GETS THEM OUT ON THE FARM.
I CAN GROW A FAIR AMOUNT OF- OF ODD THINGS AND-
AND PUT 'EM IN THE BOX THAT I COULD NEVER SELL IN MY RETAIL
BECAUSE PEOPLE LOOK AT THINGS, THEY GO, LIKE,
"EW, MY- MY HUSBAND OR MY KIDS WON'T EAT THAT."
BUT IF YOU GIVE THEM A RECIPE AND YOU STICK IT IN
THE BOX, THEY GO, "WOW, I NEVER HEARD OF THAT"
AND THEY'LL TRY IT OUT AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE MEZZO
MEZZO ABOUT IT BUT, YOU KNOW, USUALLY-
USUALLY THE THINGS WE'VE GROWN, PEOPLE GENERALLY LIKE.
THE FARM'S HISTORY HAS MADE IT A FIXTURE IN THE COMMUNITY.
SITUATED ALONG A BUSY ROAD ON THE BORDER BETWEEN BOSTON
AND BROOKLINE, THE RETAIL STORE DOES A ROBUST BUSINESS...
SELLING FRESH PRODUCE, GREENHOUSE PLANTS
AND LOCALLY MADE PRODUCTS.
AND THE OWNERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY
TO THEIR NEIGHBORS.
BECAUSE WE'RE, REALLY, THE ONLY PLACE THAT THEY CAN GO
RIGHT WITHIN PROBABLY 15 TO 20 MILES OF HERE WHERE THEY
CAN GET PRODUCE THAT THEY KNOW IS PICKED FRESH THAT
DAY AND IT'S CLEAN, IT'S GROWN USING ORGANIC METHODS
AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO MOST OF OUR CUSTOMERS.
BY BEING A GROWER ON- ON THE LAND HERE,
IT CREATES AN IDENTITY FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AND MANY OF
OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE COME TO FEEL VERY UH...
DEDICATED OR LOYAL TO THIS LAND.
UM, THEY APPRECIATE THAT- THAT THIS IS WHAT WE DO
HERE, THAT WE'VE HELD ONTO IT ALL THESE YEARS AND
DON'T- AND WON'T DEVELOP IT.
AND AFTER 13 YEARS OF SUMMER CAMPS... A GROWING GENERATION
OF KIDS FROM THE AREA HAS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF
WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM.
COME ON IN, GUYS!
AFTER WE GO THROUGH AND TAKE ALL THE POTATOES OUT THAT WE
WANT, THEY'LL GO THROUGH WITH THEIR TROWELS AND
SHOVELS AND THEY'LL GO DIG POTATOES AND TAKE THEM HOME.
"LOOK WHAT I GOT; I GOT SOME POTATOES FROM THE FARM.
WE DUG THEM," AND IT'S- IT'S A LASTING IMPRESSION.
THEY'LL REMEMBER THAT FOREVER.
THESE KIDS WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT LIVING IN BOSTON AND
HAVING PLAYED ON A FARM WHILE THEY WERE GROWING UP
AND HAVING CAUGHT FROGS AND CAUGHT TOADS AND HAVING
GROWN THINGS AND COMPOSTED AND BUILT FORTS AND- AND I
BET A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW,
"ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BOSTON?"
THAT'S NOT THE BOSTON PEOPLE KNOW.
THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR THIS EDITION OF
AMEARICA'S HEARTLAND
THANKS FOR TRAVELLING THE COUNTRY WITH US.
WE'RE ALWAYS PLEASE TO INTRODUCE YOU
TO SUCH INTERESTING PEOPLE AND PLACES.
ONE MORE THING BEFORE WE GO.
CHECK OUT OUR AMERICA'S HEARTLAND WEBSITE AT
AMERICASHEARTLAND.ORG
WE HAVE VIDEO FROM THE SHOW AND MUCH MORE.
AND, OF COURSE, YOU'LL FIND US ON YOUR FAVORITE
SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, TOO.
THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON AMERICA'S HEARTLAND.
YOU CAN PURCHASE A DVD OR BLU RAY COPY OF THIS PROGRAM.
HERE'S THE COST:
TO ORDER, JUST VISIT US ONLINE OR CALL:
♪♪
♪YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE EYES OF EVERY WOMAN AND MAN♪
♪IN AMERICA'S HEARTLAND LIVING CLOSE TO THE LAND♪
♪THERE'S A LOVE FOR THE COUNTRY AND A PRIDE IN THE BRAND♪
♪IN AMERICA'S HEARTLAND♪
♪LIVING CLOSE CLOSE TO THE LAND♪
♪♪
AMERICA'S HEARTLAND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY...
FARM CREDIT - FINANCING AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AMERICA SINCE 1916.
FARM CREDIT IS COOPERATIVELY OWNED BY AMERICA'S FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
LEARN MORE AT FARMCREDIT.COM
CROPLIFE AMERICA - REPRESENTING THE COMPANIES WHOSE
MODERN FARMING INNOVATIONS HELP AMERICA'S FARMERS PROVIDE
NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GLOBE.