Continuing to Farm God’s Fertile Land
By Rev. Dr. Beth Rupe
Genesis 2: 4 – 8
“Before any field crops grew, because the LORD God hadn’t sent rain on the earth and there was still not human being to farm the fertile land.” Gen 2: 5.
“In the beginning” these words start the biblical account of the two stories of creation. Focusing not on the how but on the why of creation, in Genesis 2 we learn that out of an abundance of love God created humanity as a partner to tend and farm the fertile land that God created. The account goes on to explain how God provided everything needed to provide for the life and well-being of God’s creation. The story spotlights the animosity that developed between farmer and herders, the move from hunter/ gatherer to farmer/ herder. It shows how society moved from an agrarian culture to the predominance of city states and urban verse rural living. As society changed, the original task of being care-taker (steward) of God’s creation did not change. However, the tasks involved in this became more diversified.
In 2022, only 22.1 million (10.4%) are employed in full- and part-time agricultural jobs in the United States. Globally this percentage increases to 28% (2018) or approximately 1 billion people. In 27 years, the number of farm workers decreased by 16 percent. Thus, the global population is dependent on less than a quarter of the worlds’ labor force for their food. As the number of farm workers have decreased, the global food system has come under the control of some of the largest corporations on the earth. Controlling seeds, land and water, this food system is heavily reliant on fertilizers and pesticides which have the potential to contaminate workers, water, topsoil and air. Proponents would suggest that this system of corporate farming is more efficient. Opponents would suggest that the system threatens the rural economy and rural culture. As the rural economy collapses the impact is also felt on small towns that are a part of rural America.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) provides a way for city dwellers to support local rural farmers. CSAs are formed by farmers or consumers who work together to care for the earth and for each other. Shareholders underwrite the cost of the farmers entire season in advance and then receives a share of the harvest. Membership in the CSA varies in length of season, crops grown and price for the set of shares. The farmers tend the ground and the crops which may include fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. On some farms, shares may also be purchased for meats and eggs. During the harvest season, the shareholders pick up their products once or twice a week. When the shareholder picks up their produce they are told the number of shares that they have invested in and then are allowed to select the products that they prefer.
The goal of CSAs is not only to provide a link between consumer and farmer, it is designed to focus on the care of the land which the farmer tends. CSA farms do not use herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Animals are rotated between confinement areas to maximize the health of the animal and the ground. Thus, ground water contamination and toxic residue on the food and soil are minimized. Eating locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs cut down on the use of fossil fuels used in transportation and processing.
I live in Bloomington, IL. My CSA farmer is Kyan and his farm is located east of the city. We have a full share in the CSA, as well as having a half share in one of the hogs, and purchasing eggs most weeks throughout the year. Each week prior to pick-up he texts me a list of what is currently being harvested so I can chose my 10 – 12 units for pick-up. Through my participation in the CSA, I have reconnected with the seasonal rhythms of what foods are available at what time. By visiting the farm each week, I have a renewed awareness of where my food comes from and how my eating impacts the earth that I have been called to tend. It is a small step in fulfilling my vocation to tend the land and help keep it fertile.