VICELAND, EMERALD TRIANGLE, FARMERS

image via motherboard.vice.com

Weed farmers vs corporate cannabis.

Farmers are the backbone of society.

No farmer = no food is the usual view.

No food means no happy people, no matter what North Korea says.

Unhappy people means street fighting man comes out swinging.

Then it’s taser, water cannon, arrests, trials, jail. Not a pretty picture anywhere.

Good society keeps farmers in the field, not the street; bad society says F U?

Farm Aid is a regular event highlighting family farms lost to corporate interests.

That’s the story I hear from Willie and the boys.

Of course corporate farms are more efficient. Drive down I-5 through California and you’ll see produce growing right to the edge of the freeway.

That’s not the head of lettuce you want in your salad, but someone’s going to eat it.

Here comes the stretch for farmers: You farm is important as a food source, a role model, and evidence that America gives a damn about the little guy.

Agree, or disagree, farmers make a difference.

How many family farm groups listen to farmers outside their own sphere of activity? Like weed farm families.

California is home of the Emerald Triangle.

The points of the Emerald Triangle are Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity counties.

The Viceland channel runs a series called Weediquette. Who knew?

They show gatherings of weed farmers lamenting the end of an era, policemen explaining the law.

Instead of fighting for space in the forests to grow their crop of mental floss, they fight industrial weed growers ready to pounce on a huge revenue stream.

And they’re sad, the sort of sad smoking weed won’t happy up.

These farmers need a boost of hope, and Oregon’s Boomer Blogger has just the ticket:

Learn from small farmers who’ve been fighting the system for decades.

One farmer in particular carries the day: Joel Salatin and Polyface Farm. Google him. Search the name on facebook. It’s quite interesting.

I’ve written posts on Polyface Farm, visited the site in Virginia, and came away a believer.

This family farmer knows the ropes, the knots, and how to untie things.

What better combination than a renegade farmer producing books, movies, and talks about what it takes to succeed as a farmer advising Emerald Triangle farmers on how to move forward?

The most famous farmer in America has lots to say about farming. He’s a good listen for all.

Spike Jonze needs the sort of inspiration Polyface Farm gives it’s fans.

Fighting the good fight is still a fight. During the struggle to decide winners and losers, the good fight won’t feel so good.

One comfort is knowing Joel Salatin kicks ass.

Questions for farmers:

Does your crop, your use of land, improve the soil or wear it out?

Does your product use intensive human labor, or expensive gas powered machinery?

Is your operation sustainable in water use, fertilizers, and seeds, or do you follow directives from chemical companies to farm?

Learn from a pro.

The Emerald Triangle sounds mythical, shrouded in the fog of sixties and emerging as an economic powerhouse in 2016.

But it’s California. You expect weird from California.

Other places have a different identity. Rough, tough, and outspoken people with a clear idea about who they are and who they aren’t.

Rednecks turning green everywhere you look.

image via Hemp Inc