Farmers are a different tribe. Thing is, we all have it in us, for most it's just buried too deep over a distance too far, but run your trace back far enough through your family's tree and you'll find it. Shake the branches hard enough and all of us will find that the love of planting and harvesting is in our roots. The gene's just gone recessive. Some do, however, still express the trait, and I want you to meet some of them. They're part of my tribe, and, really, yours too.
Coffee town. Espresso so strong it will put you on the jackhammer for an hour and then vibrate you the rest of the week. Land of Hendrix. One shift in the watchtower can really shake your castle's walls. Sonic-electric innovation that's still sending out the high voltage forty years later. Just a little background for the farmer I'd like you to meet - Bibi Becklund.
Dug from the Seattle scene and then transplanted in rural Oklahoma, Bibi's roots are starting to take, adjusting to the new medium, a far, far different medium than Seattle. Chef and shepherd, farmer and baker, just four of the many strands woven into Bibi's cloth, all four making the cloth stronger. A vendor at the Cherry Street farmers market for four years now, she's one of the ingredients giving Cherry street it's unique flavor and flair.
I had the chance to ask her a few questions at our 6th & Peoria drop off this past Saturday, and here's what she had to say:
Bibi has a really cool blog where you can learn more about her farm and livestock, and her farm dinners (which are highly recommended) so check it out when you get the chance!
I wanted to start this "Our Tribe" segment because there are so many interesting people, with interesting stories, at both the Cherry Street and Broken Arrow markets. Lots more to come (next week I hope to interview the Bootstrappers, Don Drury and Chelsea Coleman), so I hope you enjoy the interviews, and if you have a certain vendor you'd like to see, just let us know, and, once the market seasons start back, we plan on getting some customers in the tribe.
A special thanks to everyone who braved the cold and wind this past Saturday in order to support your local farmers. We all appreciate you tremendously!
Pork & Greens