Before modern farming technology came about, people did most everything by hand. Growing crops took time, fertilizer was made from all-natural materials and the animals lived healthily until their time came.
Now, the farming industry moves at a faster pace in order to meet the demands of the nation. Nevertheless, there are those individuals who would rather take their time and go slowly.
Locavores Kerry and Joy Hedges met at a tennis club in Houston. Kerry’s father was in the air force, and Joy grew up in the Los Angeles area. The Hedges are locavores trying to further a health revolution.
A locavore is one who primarily eats locally grown foods rather than industrially grown foods. The Hedges run Slow Poke Farm, which is located near Cross Plains, about 50 miles east of Abilene.
“We sell a lot, are highly diversified, chemical-free, and sell directly to the people eating the food,” Kerry Hedges said.
When Kerry was young, he would visit his grandfather’s farm.
“He was my hero,” said Kerry. “I guess it carried through to now.”
While in Houston, Kerry Hedges worked with computers. His wife, Joy, was the “evil corporate MBA type.” Through working with computers, Kerry began to feel the stress on his hands. According to his doctor, Kerry, age 30, had arthritis in his hands. Instead of dealing with it through daily doses of pain medication, Kerry picked up a few pieces of literature on nutrition and food.
“The idea of taking painkillers for the rest of my life just seemed ridiculous,” Kerry Hedges said.
Once he applied a few principles from his readings into his everyday life, his arthritis cleared up. Cutting sugar, margarine and vegetable oils from his diet made all the difference.
“That’s how I know food affects every aspect of your life,” Kerry Hedges said.
The Hedges’ have an abundance of animals on their farm, as well as a good number of fruits and vegetables. Cows graze on the open pasture and provide fresh milk and disinfectant-free ground beef. Chickens inhabit an old cotton cart, where they lay eggs and rest. Garlic and sweet potatoes are just a few of the produce they have to offer.
Why, though, would anyone gladly choose to bear this load?
“When buying whole foods, you’re buying it as it was created, as it was intended to eat,” Kerry Hedges said.
Evelyn Henshaw, senior communications major from Escondido, Calif., serves as the vice president of the Locavores Club on campus. Henshaw recognizes the purpose of the whole foods movement.
“We actually need to pay attention to what we put in our bodies,” Henshaw said.
In order to push this food revolution forward, action must be taken. The Locavores Club plans on creating a community garden on campus for students and community members. The Hedges’ are doing their part and urge others to do the same.
“It’s gotta be consumer-demand driven,” Joy Hedges said. “If we taught kids in the 2nd or 3rd grade how to grow food, they would be hooked, because that would be all they would know.”
