valuable . We feed people . You can ’ t live without it ,” Meyer added .
Both Meyer and Oles stress the importance of recognizing agricultural work as one with dignity .
“ There is dignity in feeding people ,” Oles noted .
That dignity is also passed on to the livestock on Berea College Farm .
“ I tell people a lot , that our livestock have really good lives , and one bad day ,” Oles said .
Oles said the farm has also tried to maintain and foster relationships beyond the campus to the Berea community .
“ Food ways have ancient traditions here . We ’ ve made steady progress in making the farm community accessible , I think that is one
thing that has contributed to our lasting success ,” he said .
The Berea College Farm works with several restaurants in Berea and the surrounding area by providing produce and proteins that eventually end up on menus .
The farm also harvests flower seeds for an outside company , while providing crop starters for other area farms .
The relationship is truly communal in nature .
Regional farms , such as Lazy 8 Stock Farm in Paint Lick , provides Berea College Farm with strawberries to grow each season — while others supply produce for the Berea College Farm Store .
Little said he views the college farm store as yet another stop on the wheel of sociology major from New Mexico , said he is taking full advantage of his classroom studies and his work experience on the farm .
“ It ’ s almost like having a double major , without having to actually have a double major ,” Khera explained . “ I find my time spent working on the farm very valuable . Not only am I learning practical skills and gaining work experience that I can use for a resume . ( This model ) just gives you more opportunities . You can make the most of it and I really enjoy it .”
Meyer said she has had student workers from numerous majors find value in time spent at the farm .
“ I had a student who was a child and family studies major and they do a lot of nutrition classes with that . She told me once that all CFF majors need to work here so they understand what
actually goes into producing food ,” Meyer recalled . “ While it might not always complement their particular majors — they can still learn how to grow food and tend a garden — which is very valuable .”
Farming and agriculture also has ties to social justice issues , Meyer noted .
“ I think farming might be the most undervalued work in our society ,” she said . “ People have become detached from how food gets from the farm to the table — what it takes and the work and planning involved . We have had restaurant chefs come here and bring their staff here to see what goes into getting the ingredients . It is getting better , the pandemic has put more focus on it , and some workers in the industry have been able to negotiate for higher pay .”
“ What we do is extremely
14 Madison Magazine September - October 2022