Social Justice in our Food Systems

In my 17 years of being alive on the earth I’ve been on a lot of trips, but the Food Intensive was one of the best trips ever. It opened my eyes to so much and being able to go on this trip with The Woolman Semester made it even better.

First off, I knew bees were really important, but after being on this trip and seeing the work that bees do, I have so much more respect for them. I understand them a lot better now.

Also on the trip we met this guy named Bear. He was a manager at a strawberry farm and his farm, Swanton berry farm, was great. I personally don’t like farm work, but after being there I really wanted to work there. His workers get treated so great, his farm was a perfect example of The Great Turning. His farm was turning in the right direction. The fact that his pickers (the people who pick the crops and berries) had health benefits which was a shocker: most pickers don’t get health benefits at all. His workers also got paid overtime and that never happens in this industry ever. Every morning they take time out to stretch and warm up in order for the workers to not hurt themselves in the field. The workers are part of a union. He really cares about his workers, which made me happy. Someone that cares for their workers, their workers will care for them. It builds community and working in a happy place is great. Why would you want to work in a sad place? You should want to work in a place where the people and the things you do bring you joy. This trip opened my eyes so much and I’m really happy I was able to do this.