The gardens are loving the warm weather and are thriving. It's shaping up to be a great season for tomatoes especially this time - the last season was dreadful and a lot of people in the area were complaining about poor harvests.
With just our little patch it's hard to comprehend the heartache that the seasons can bring to farmers who depend on the land for their livelihood. With floods in one area, heatwave in another and snow all at the same time in another part of the country; not to mention economic downturns due to cheap and shoddy imports, its a tribute to their tenacity that they stay on the land as long as they do. This country use to be pretty well self sufficient and now our farmers are tossed scraps for their superior quality harvest because of the greedy multi-nationals. Not only do the men and women on the land battle with the elements, their determination and hard-slog is rewarded by a slap in the face.
We have a choice you know - we can fight this sell-out by growing what we can and buying local - refusing to eat crap from other countries that, by the way, do not have the checks and balances that we do concerning chemicals used in the production of food. Buy direct from the farmer if you can or get along to markets in your area. I was so impressed with the amount of farm shops on the North Coast when I visited my sister and brother-in-law recently. Among other things, on the way home I bought the most gorgeous avocados (4 for $5) and a fresh pineapple for $3 (with its top on - guess who's going to have a go at growing her own?!) The health of our families as well as our country depends on the choices we make. Don't think for one minute that you as an individual can't make a difference. A lot of " just one person" makes a whole lot of people! There is groundswell to support our farmers and protect our food production - do what you can in your little corner. Most of us who have gardens can't grow all that we want so we need to source the rest from ethical sources.
Our farmlands are already being sold to overseas interests who I can assure you, don't have our best interests at heart. If you want to grow your own but don't have a lot of room use pots. Stick some garlic in a pot, or a tomato plant; grow some herbs in your kitchen, swap what you grow with a neighbour who grows something else. Join a community garden. Buy Australian - as long as the company is Australian!!!! Become involved in what you bring into your household and put on your plate. Most people do more research into what TV to buy than what they put into their mouths.
Due to pressure and buying practises of the Australian people Woolworths has just announced they will be phasing out cage chicken eggs within 5 years. Most of us would like it to be yesterday not within 5 years. It may be due to contractual agreements with the suppliers - I don't know - but it is a step in the right direction. All brought about because one person standing in front of the shelves in the supermarket thought about the cruelty to animals and what was healthiest for their family and chose a better product. "Just one person" - did this time and time again. There must have been a lot of them because it's had the desired effect!!! Well done all you "just one person". :) It shows us all that things can change if we want them too.
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