These days, being able to make or grow your own food is considered a luxury, not a survival skill.

These days, being able to spin your own fiber and then make clothing from it is considered a hobby and absolutely not essential.

These days, it's disturbing how much of Western society eschews the old ways. Those who can practice them with even a little skill are either scorned or held in high regard depending on where they are from and where they live.

Just fifty years ago, my great-grandmother still made dresses from flour sacks.

In traditional cultures, these skills are absolutely necessary.

What will happen when our culture stops teaching these skills?

I'll give you a hint:

The losses of cultural memory, cultural knowledge, and cultural consciousness have already begun.

#PSFM #farmersmarket #farmtotable #NativePrideTravelPlaza #thankful

Dear Farmers’ Market Community,

While New York State’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue, it is more important now than ever that New Yorkers know that the State and agricultural community are working together to keep our agricultural products moving and ensure access to food for our communities, families, and animals.

New York State has not restricted grocery stores, retail food stores, farmers’ markets or farm stands (CSAs included) from being open. These industries are essential to the food supply chain and are not restricted by the State’s guidance for mass gatherings and workforce reductions. Please see the guidance highlighting the importance of our food supply chain: https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/03/essentialservicesexception.pdf

Please continue to practice social distancing and proper hand washing and sanitizing. Additional information and guidance about this and the COVID-19 outbreak may be found on the NYS Department of Health’s website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.

#PSFM #farmersmarket #farmtotable #shoplocal