That’s the way the conversation started. You may or may not know, but a couple of weeks ago, I shared my desire to attend one of the Polyface Intensive Discovery Seminars (PIDS) in Swoope, VA. These two-day seminars are led by the one and only Joel Salatin, and attendees get to experience the Polyface way of farming, hands-on, and eat three meals a day with them on the farm. Past attendees say the food alone is worth the fee. Anyway, these seminars cost $700 per person, and as mush as I wanted to attend, I just didn’t think I could swing the cost. Then I decided to do something I had never done. I would ask for the money. You see, one thing I have learned about farming and direct sales, is that the relationship between farmer and customer is more of a partnership than anything else. We need each other. They need someone to grow and produce good food, and I need someone to buy the food I grow. As Michael Polin said in the Polyfaces documentary, “the food movement is about more than food, it’s about community.” The sense of community may be what attracts me the most.
I am happy to report that because of the generosity of several friends and family members, I have raised enough money to pay the registration fee. When I asked for the money, I agreed to cover my hotel and travel expenses (I need some skin in the game too). To say I am excited is an understatement. I have read all nine of Joel’s books and have visited his farm once already. Attending this seminar in July will be an experience I will never forget. Thank you to those partners who helped make this happen. I will not forget your gift.