As we began to see our common interests in and concerns about food and farming and the strength in the sharing of our various perspectives, two key questions emerged. What do we want to see in the future! What are we prepared to do to achieve our future vision for agriculture! Our conference objectives and the momentum of our efforts were helping us to begin to create a consensus.
Our conference facilitators asked us to imagine a future for the Connecticut River Valley farming and food system that we would want to help make a reality. We were to design a short report, skit or other creative way of communicating our vision of the future. The goal was to vision 25 years from now -- March 17, 2020 -- and dramatize how things have changed because of the future search and some activities that grew out of CISA. We were encouraged to see this as "an exercise in creative dreaming." Our wish lists could include anything that is possible, desirable and motivating.
The results were inventive and imaginative. We had a good time developing outlines and portrayals of the future. Each of the "mixed" groups produced a clear picture of its idea food and farming system. Some common refrains began to emerge of what we hoped to see, what we thought was possible, and what we expected of ourselves as participants in that system.
And now, the curtain rises.
The setting: It's St. Patrick's Day in the year 2020. The Farm and Food Council is holding its monthly meeting.
The Youth Farm Service Corps director--sporting a green necktie to mark the day--is first to report. Urban youth have been enrolled in the corps for mandatory two-year stints; with their help, says the director, fruits and vegetables are grown yearround. Two of the teens have been invited to speak at the meeting. "Everyone works so hard," says one. "It's cool to be working with the land," says the other. "We're compost-certified," he adds, with pride in his voice.
The "Buy Local" campaign, which has been in progress for 20 years, is next on the agenda. The entire community has taken the "buy local pledge." Thanks to the youth corps, we have the capacity to provide food to everyone.
The Valley Farmland Trust's account follows: The trust is purchasing 1400 fertile acres near the river. Buildings will be razed, and the people will be relocated within the community--the acreage will be reclaimed as farmland, which is needed to feed the local population. One plan under discussion is to create a series of "bubbles" over certain land-creating greenhouses, so the growing season extends year-round. Thirty-three new farmers have the funding to purchase land.
Following the committee reports, it's on to new business. It seems there's a problem with grazing on the interstate -- cows and sheep sometimes stray onto the highway. One suggestion: Set up crossing zones. Another solution: Erect movable electric fences around grazing areas. The council applauds the fact that milk stays in the Valley for consumption.
The meeting adjourns early: Buses are leaving for the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day parade, and afterwards, there's a UMass basketball game at the Mullins Center.
The setting: It's March 17, 2020, and Mike Wallace, still reportingfor "Sixty Minutes, " is doing a segment on the thriving Connecticut River Valley.
There's no mystery to the success of the area, Wallace tells the nation. Farming is responsible, and the "Grow Local" campaign is the key: Food production in the Pioneer Valley has doubled in the last 25 years. Delinquent youth are enrolled in Smith Vocational High School, where they participate in a program that provides education and training in skills related to farming that will give them the means to work on the land, and to enjoy the benefits--a good job, fresh air, satisfaction in supplying food and other resources for the community. The Valley Farmers' Market label identifies locally produced goods. The area is rich and diverse in agricultural products--a fish and canning plant is located in the Valley.
How has this all come about! Wallace asks. It all began a quarter of a century ago, when a CISA conference was held. Its mission was to work with the community to build a vision for the future. One of the significant outcomes of the conference is that now there are no jails--lawbreakers have been made important members of the community by working on farms. Wallace interviews Water, who had been arrested for loitering. Water tells of his involvement with a farming project, which led to a career in farming. The farming program for lawbreakers became a model for the nation. Mike Wallace turns to the camera. What is the reward of hard labor! he asks viewers. He pauses. "Fresh fruits and vegetables," he says.
The closing shot is in a Valley supermarket, where only local produce is on display. "Sixty Minutes" has made its point.
The setting: A well-attended auction, where heavy bidding is expected.
Paradise Associates is holding an auction. On the block is the last building lot, consisting of 15 acres, in Franklin County. The auctioneer describes it: Close to farmers' market; heated and cooled by wind and solar system. He continues at a faster clip: The parcel overlooks the Valley; it consists of open space used for farming and recreation, and other space that is returning to woodlots; there is a regional food-producing plant nearby. He hits his stride: It's within easy distance of the Five-College Consortium-Hampshire Mall Agricultural Educational Center; near Annie's Scenter. This is a premium lot. The crowd goes wild. Going, going, gone. Sold to the highest bidder for $150 million.
The family sits at the table after supper, sharing a dessert of localy grown kiwifruit and papaya. A letter has arrived from the Sister Farm Project in Eritrea, and Tom is about to read it aloud. Although he is not a member of the family, Tom is a part of the greater community, which provides housing, heath care and an easier living in general for all. Before Tom can share the letter, there is a pressing situation to contend with.
Grandfather is highly agitated. People are not disposing of things properly, he says, pounding the table. Separating waste into its proper categories should be second nature, he says. Thump, thump, thump. Grandmother, who has been knitting quietly, nodding in agreement, calms him. "Now, dear," she says. Everyone - contrite - promises to try harder.
Tom starts the letter: "The bank is eager to invest capita in a new irrigation system," he reports. The compost collector arrives for the weekly exchange --this week, she brings corn in exchange for the family's compost, which will be used in the fields.
"Gasoline" was mentioned in class today; the grandson asks his grandpa what it was used for in the old days. At school, the grandson has just completed a farm training program. For their project, he and his classmates prepared enough cheese to stock the entire Big Y chain.
Town Meeting is scheduled for tonight: The topic is whether to increase subsidies to farm workers-it is expected to pass without any problems.
The setting: On reclaimed farmland.
March 17, 1995, Rip Van Winkle had planned to watch his favorite movie, "Back to the Future," but fell asleep. When he wakes up, it's still March 17, but the year is 2020. He heads for the movie theater but cant find the mall. He meets a corn farmer and strikes up a conversation. Rip learns that indeed there are no more malls; they've been replaced by lots of farms because people realized they spent too much on imported foods. Karen and little Tommy bring him some apples from a nearby farmstand; all foods are now bought locally. There are plenty of community farms, and all kids belong to very active 4-H clubs. The bike path gets lots of use; waking is a favorite mode of transportation. A local politician joins them and welcomes Rip to Happy Valley. The dead mall has been torn down, he tells Rip, and is now a community farm with recreation area; people are now more environmentally conscious, he says. Rip has awakened in a better place.
The setting: A co-housing community where a young boy is talking with his grandparents and Uncle Terry.
"What was it like in the 20th century!" the 10year-old youngster questions his grandparents. People ate something called a hamburger, at a place called McDonad's, replies his grandfather. "Everything came from California," he remembers, "and the tomatoes tasted like Styrofoam." The youngster is puzzled: What's Styrofoam! he asks.
"You can still see Styrofoam -- that white stuff cluttering up the landfills," says Grandpa, "but there are no more McDonald's or hamburgers."
The grandparents are justifiably proud of their role in creating an improved quality of life for their grandson's generation. They recall some of the issues they were involved in during the previous quarter century. They were instrumental in setting up the clustered housing they now live in. Years ago, a high-speed rail system had been proposed, connecting the Valley with eastern Massachusetts. "We would have become a suburb of Boston," says Grandpa, shaking his head. "We fought against that, and we won."
Uncle Terry was an activist as well. His primary interest had been to protect the river. Because of Terry and people like him, the river is now free of jet skis and other mechanized vehicles. The grandson is impressed with the older members of his family: He has certainly benefited from their ideas, their consciences, their values.
One last question: What's an assessor?
That job doesn't exist anymore, says Grandpa, chuckling. "That was back in the days when we had taxes."
The setting: The 11 o'clock Headline News broadcast.
"These are the headlines making the news today, March 17, 2020:
" 'Dead mall transformed to composting facility, as co-generating plant' "
'Hampshire Mall to be converted to farmland.'
" 'Major earthquake in California: Tremors will be felt here in the Valley as demand for locally grown produce increases.'
" 'Biotechnology breakthrough: Livestock, already disease- and parasite-resistant, are now non-aging, too. Community collaboration with CISA credited for advances.' "
The anchorwoman is handed a sheet of paper.
"We interrupt this broadcast for a special bulletin, she reads. "We have a report from the other side. Judy, where exactly are you!" she asks.
The picture shifts to a woman who seems to be lying down; she looks quite peaceful.
"This is Judy, reporting from the Valley's first selfhelp community composting cemetery, located in the back corner of the old Dead Mall. Since I got here, building on my experience as founder of the old self-help Community Canning Center in Northampton, I've begun to advocate for the ultimate in the sustainable practice of nutrient recycling. Bit by bit, I'm transforming myself into a pest-resistant apple tree.
"Thanks for that report, Judy," says the anchor. "We now pause for a brief word from our sponsor.
Like all other eating establishments in the Valley, this restaurant is proud of the locally grown food it serves. All those who attended a CISA conference 25 years ago are meeting, to share what the future search has done for them and how they have implemented the plans.
Everyone is hooked up to the Internet; there is lively conversation and communication with farmers all over the world. The Pioneer Valley National Bank has been making loans to support new farmers. Land-use laws are consistent throughout Western Massachusetts. Farmers and other members of the community are knowledgeable. People are healthier because pesticides have been eliminated.
The main course arrives: a choice of filer of perch or rack of lamb. People tuck in with hearty appetites.
Each half acre of land is being used, and appropriately. The entire New England region is importing substantially less food than it did 25 years ago. Most of the food sold in local stores has been produced right here in the Valley. The average age of farmers here now is 35 years. Our farmers are solvent and stable crops will bring good return. Dairy farms are back Grass-based grazing has been implemented.
Education has undergone important changes. Agriculture is now taught in schools---children as young as elementary school age understand the food system and their part in it, and agriculture is integrated in the curriculum of every grade. Kids enjoy working on farms.
The local economy is efficient. Ninety-five percent of the waste stream is composted. Water quality has improved. Organic farming techniques have replaced conventional chemical-intensive ones. Individual lives are more sustainable. There is a stronger sense of community. Farmers are linked to the Extension Service by computer - they no longer rely on the "expertise" of "agricultural specialists." People are healthier
Dessert is on the house: The unanimous choice is apples with spots on them.
After the presentations, the whole group noted some themes that were consistent in many of the scenarios. In the year 2020: