Aww, I'm sure you will honor the gentleman well. Sounds like someone I would have enjoyed talking to!
I've got nothing but love and respect for my farmers! I know the big ag business has bastardized a lot of the practices here, but there are still so many wonderful, hard-working small farmers trying to make a living. The good thing I see here is that there is a huge demand for local, quality produce so I know a few of my favorites are getting some great contracts with local restaurants and even hotels! The only thing I hope is that they save plenty for me, haha!
I'm happy to share some good Tuesday vibes. Nice to commune with so many other like-minded souls, and perhaps encourage a few others to take the time to experience it for the first time, as well. I think our world would be a much better place if we all got our hands "in the dirt" every now and then to really connect with nature and our food sources, especially doing it together!
Oom (Uncle) Barend was a legend and I'm glad we got to know him - a little. When he first met me, he called me Mevrou - madam! It took a while for him to not do that! At that stage he'd had a couple of strokes and was compelled (by family) to use a walker. He'd chuck it in the back of his truck and tear around the village visiting his lady friends. Quite the philanderer! Lot's of talk from his children about his legacy on the farm, including starting one of the largest protea export businesses in the country. And they are the largest exporter of the Blushing Bride - in the country and in the world. And you wouldn't have an inkling unless you were told. Anyhow, he had five children, and there are sixteen grandchildren and about eight grandchildren.
There's a picture of them in this post - most of the pictures taken outside the village are on what was his land. And the little white houses - he built with his bare hands https://www.fionasfavourites.net/2018/07/09/the-week-that-was/ TMI. Sorry.
We are privileged to have small scale and large scale farmers around here - will I suppose it makes sense because of where we live. It does mean that we can support the little people and we benefit from the surplus and factory rejects from the big boys. Who, actually, by some standards are not that big, at all.
And yes, there is something literally grounding about getting your hands dirty and eating the fruits of one's own labour.
Forgive the blethering....
Fiona