Why I chose to wear new boots when I worked the CulinaryCorps booth at Farm Aid last Sunday is still up for debate. Oh, who am I kidding? I wore them because I'm obsessed with Frye boots and the shiny new brown pair that arrived in the mail a few days earlier screamed, "You must wear me to Farm Aid because I will make you feel like a cowgirl and even though you'll be walking around on Randalls Island with the Bronx as your backdrop, wearing me will inspire you to think that you're kicking around the dust on a parched, sun scorched ranch in the heart of Wyoming. Boots forgot to mention that while they might fit like second skin once they're broken in a bit, wearing them for the first time when working a fifteen hour day entirely on my feet is certain to leave a blazing trail of blisters from the tips of my toes to the tops of my calves. Aching feet aside, Farm Aid 2007 provided a way to do a bit of fundraising while exposing the 25,000 attendees to the vital mission of CulinaryCorps.
We sold chicory flavored Iced Cafe au Lait at the CulinaryCorps booth from my new favorite company Cool Brew, a New Orleans based establishment that has come up with an ingenious way to prepare iced coffee without the hassle, mess and bitter results so often associated with iced coffee preparation at home (at least in my home). Cool Brew's nifty package requires a simple squeeze of the bottle that fills up a compartment at the top with a perfectly measured portion of coffee concentrate required for a single serving. Pour the concentrate into a glass, add ice cubes and a bit of water along with milk if desired, give it a stir and voile, an impeccably rich, full bodied glass of iced coffee.
What made our Cool Brew sing was the silky addition of milk from Ronnybrook Farm. Not only did this third generation family owned and operated dairy farm supply milk and their addictive drinkable yogurt, they also worked the booth, helping to spread the word about their all-natural products and the amazing work that CulinaryCorps is doing in New Orleans.
Christine Carroll, the founder of CulinaryCorps, also worked tirelessly, as she always does, to spread the message of hope that CulinaryCorps is bringing to the city of New Orleans. This humble dynamo never ceases to amaze me and Farm Aid provided yet another example of how the effort and passion of a single person can inspire the transformative work of so many who have signed on to support the mission of CulinaryCorps. To learn more, sign up for a trip or make a donation to a cause that is changing the lives of both the volunteers and citizens they serve, visit the CulinaryCorps website.
While me soar feet may argue, my spirit and heart tell me that Farm Aid 2007 was a triumphant success. While some were there to simply indulge in the music of Willie Nelson, Dave Mathews, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and The Allman Brothers, many others attended to support the mission of Farm Aid and offer encouragement to family farmers, a population that does indeed 'kick ass'.
It was fitting that CulinaryCorps shared space with such an inspired group of people. The mission of Farm Aid and CulinaryCorps is the same; to raise awareness, provide support and bring hope to a struggling population. Willie Nelson was the final performer of the festival. He stirred the crowd at the beginning of his set with a velvety rendition of 'Georgia On My Mind' and to close the night, he ushered them on their way with a song whose message of hope and solidarity is a fitting way to send the CulinaryCorps volunteers on their way to New Orleans tomorrow:
On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
Wishing all of those who are volunteering for the September CulinaryCorps trip to New Orleans the inspiration to insist that the world turn your way.
Resource Guide
For more information on the Farm Bill:
http://www.foodsecurity.org/policy.html
http://www.worldhungeryear.org/fslc/faqs2/farm_bill2.asp
http://www.environmentaldefenseblogs.org/healthyfarms/
http://ofrf.org/policy/federal_legislation/federal_legislation.html
http://www.farmpolicyfacts.org/
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdafarmbill
http://agriculture.senate.gov/ag/fb.htm
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/FarmBill2007/
www.harkin.senate.gov/agriculture/farm-bill-summary.cfm
Support Small and Mid-Sized Farms & Buy Local!
http://www.ediblecommunities.com/
http://www.sare.org/csa/index.htm]]>