Because of multiple tasks, we split ways for the better part of the day. Andy, headed to Case, to document the chef skills of Chef Dean, who worked to prepare locally-sourced foods for a reception we would be a part of later on.
I drove North and East, or was it South and East to West Branch High FFA, where Mr. Greg Sharp and Mr. Mike Bardo, the kind, knowledgable instructors there hosted.
Mr. Bardo, or Bardo, as the kids affectionately called him, was showing the kids how to cut wood in the expansive Vocational Ag section of the highschool, which recently got some new construction from taxpayer dollars well spent. Talked to a couple of classes, before Bardo took me out for lunch at Subway in between classes. Bardo is almost 60, a man who has been raising dairy cows his entire life, with the thick strong hands of a dairyman. Four generations of family live together, on the farm where he lives, truly a wonderful thing.
We finished the tour, and lunch and talked with another class, who like us, was a bit tired after just eating. On the way out, Bardo gave a West Branch FFA t-shirt, which was a really nice gesture.
Drove up to Cleveland, where Andy and I and about 50 or so folks ate appetizers prepared by Chef Dean and the talented crew of BAMCo, at Case Western.
The ensuing panel was focused on personal responsibility, about how every dollar that we choose to spend is so vital to our nation's agriculture. Chef Doug talked about the joys of sourcing from farmers, about learning about the hard work farmers do, and introducing the wisdom into his restaurants. Mary announced a new Slow Food chapter at Case. Chris talked about how with a small gift from BAMCo, he's been able to start up and run a greenhouse that actually sources the cafeteria at the school. Students often volunteer in the greenhouse, providing food for one another.
Piper talked about driving around the country with a car that runs on vegetable oil, starting conversations about agriculture with college students. A pretty cool job.
Aaron, of Miller Livestock, who provided a good amount of the beef and pork that we ate at the reception, talked about the dangers of GMOs and encouraged people to look up the topic, as do we.
The Miller's kindly invited us to stay at their farm, which we accepted. We shared a great meal with Damen and Anna, two local food lovers who introduced us to an amazing place with the best chicken wings in the world. Sorry, can't remember the name.
We drove towards the PA border and crashed in the beautiful farm home of the Aaron and Melissa Miller.
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