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Brenda Bohmer's avatar

This is an excellent post....it resonates with me big time. Putting farming and nature back together is music to my ears.

In such a thoughtful way, you have described the main ideas/concepts and enticed us to read Rebanks book. Can’t wait to dive into his book.

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Vera Saltzman and Sue Bland's avatar

Thanks Brenda, you will love this book...and perhaps someday write an Alberta version!!

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LHO's avatar

I had been yearning for a post from you and Vera these past couple days, and here you are.

Thank you for such a beautiful offering.

I shared it with some of the farmers in my world whom I’m sure could empathize.

As I was reading, I was thinking of how we have also done this with people. Instead of honouring diverse ways of being (I’m thinking specifically of my experience of First Nations culture, spirituality, language, etc) we have homogenized, marginalized, impoverished and pushed out the very diverse perspectives and ways of being we need to survive and thrive. Just what I was thinking and feeling:) thank you so much for your post 💖💖

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Vera Saltzman and Sue Bland's avatar

Thanks, Lara, so nice to know that someone hopes for a post from us!! Your last paragraph is right on, I think...being curious about and honouring diverse ways of being is vital to our continued survivance. Grateful to hear your good thoughts!

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LHO's avatar

And grateful to be able to connect with you in this way...through your good words...I read them out loud, in the car, to two friends (who I introduced to your blog)...it was perfect...your words...for all of us. My, now seventy year old, friend’s farm (where she grew up) is by Viceroy. Your words connected us all..in all of our shared and divergent rural histories in this province . Thank you Sue 🤗 was the perfect bright spot for an otherwise challenging day. I was totally waiting in joyous anticipation for a blog from you two!

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Vera Saltzman and Sue Bland's avatar

You are so welcome and your comments appreciated! Glad you shared this post with others - wish I could have been a fly listening in, lol!!

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LHO's avatar

It’s kind of like you were there, on the road with us, in spirit. No flax fields blooming yet that trip (this last weekend there was tho) just canola yellow all the way. Thank you for continuing to spread your beautiful way through being and word 💕 look forward to the next post!

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Trevor Herriot's avatar

Thanks Vera and Sue for this thoughtful piece on the realities of any farmer trying to get out of the feed the world with cheap food trap. It is complicated and we are all complicit in the systems that have pushed agriculture in this direction. I will have to get that book.

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Vera Saltzman and Sue Bland's avatar

Fabulous book. Thanks for weighing in, Trevor!

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Ruth Steinberg's avatar

Beautiful post. I’m not a farmer -- in fact I live in the heart of my city -- but I look forward to reading this book. Thank you!

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Vera Saltzman and Sue Bland's avatar

Thanks, Ruth for your comment. When I married my husband Shane he was a farmer (once a farmer, always a farmer even though he changed occupations), so this book meant a lot to me as someone who lives in a farming world. Sometimes, farmers are bashed and I like the way Rebanks shares all the contradictions. It is a beautifully written book, and I think you will love it, too.

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