The 40 Day Journey
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
“Innovations that are guided by smallholder farmers, adapted to local circumstances, and sustainable for the economy and environment will be necessary to ensure food security in the future.” – Bill Gates
“I tell my students, it’s not difficult to identify with somebody like yourself, somebody next door who looks like you. What’s more difficult is to identify with someone you don’t see, who’s very far away, who’s a different color, who eats a different kind of food.” – Chinua Achebe
“It is, in every way, in the best interest of urban consumers to be surrounded by productive land, well farmed and well maintained by thriving farm families in thriving farm communities.” – Wendell Berry
Questions for Reflection
In the recent 40 Days for Food Justice project posts, we read about coffee growers, subsistence farmers, and building a barnyard. As we sit with the stories and the perspectives that have been shared, reflect on the following questions:
1. The year 2014 has been designated by the UN as the International Year of the Family Farmer. What do you consider a family farmer?
2. Why are small family farms important?
3. What do small family farmers have to do with food justice?
Food Justice Challenge
This week, talk to a small family farmer and find out what particular challenges and difficulties she/he faces in an effort to grow and sell food.
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In addition to being the founder and editor-in-chief of the “40 Days for Food Justice Project”, the Rev. MargaretAnne Overstreet is a Presbyterian pastor and food justice advocate. When not preaching, teaching or writing, she likes hiking with her dogs and growing things in her garden. Find out more about her (including why she preaches with bare feet) at www.AnInBetweenPlace.us
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