Jeffs 1

Erin Jeffs

Erdiakoff

ENGL 134 29

23 October 2017 (revision: 6 December 2017)

A Gem in the Midst of a Rural Purge

There are more farm animals in the United States than there are people in the world.

Despite this, there has been a significant decline in the overall populations direct involvement Deleted: people are increasingly becoming less connected
with agriculture directly, with a mere 1.6% of Americans
engaged in agriculture (Huzzey)
with agriculture, with a mere 1.6% of engagement among Americans (Huzzey). The number of

farms in the United States are drastically decreasing; however, animal by-product consumption Deleted: significantly
Deleted: however, meat consumption is on the rise, with our
(be that meat, milk, eggs, and the like) is on the rise (Huzzey). You may be wondering how this country producing 150 billion pounds of meat in 2014

is happening how can consumption be increasing if the number of farms is decreasing? How

can production meet the demands of the consumers? The answer is a simple one: farming is now Deleted: why this is happening, why the number of farms
are decreasing if meat consumption is increasing.

an extremely industrialized, technologically advanced discipline (Huzzey). Farms are no longer

quaint, family-owned operations with a small herd of ten cows and a little homemade chicken

coop. Instead, they have herds of over five hundred cattle and chicken coops are now massive

buildings that house tens of thousands of birds. Essentially, due to a rise of factory farming, the

majority of our food is being produced by a select number of large-scale farms. Since this, many Deleted: rise in factory farming

have critiqued the industry, asserting that we have lost a connection with our food. Traditionally, Deleted: arguing that this style is inhumane and a form of
animal cruelty

farming followed a subsistence agricultural model: producing only enough food to both

economically and nutritionally sustain the family unit (Huzzey). In a sense, farming was a social

activity; food had to be grown, harvested, and prepared, forcing people to come together and

subsequently enjoy the fruits of their labor as a whole. Not only was a feeling of community was

created, but also a connection with the food was forged through this direct involvement of the
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meals production. Today, theres this disconnect, because our food goes through so many steps

before reaching our dinner table, and it is nearly impossible to pinpoint its origins. This isnt

necessarily a bad thing, and many people are in support of these factory farms: they have

increase efficiency while cutting down on production costs. However, many are unhappy with

these new large-scale enterprises: not only complaining about the severed connection, but also

citing these practices as inhumane and a form of animal cruelty. Many are calling for us to
support the small, family-owned farms that are being phased out and get back to our Agrarian
roots of farming (Huzzey). By doing this, well be able to have a sense of community and a
connection with our food as we once had before the start of factory farms. So, when I made my
visit to the Avila Valley Barn a few Saturdays ago, it almost felt as though I had traveled back to
the time of traditional means of farming.
Deleted: Though I could go down the rabbit hole of this
extremely heated debate, it has birthed the Farm-to-Table
movement, which began in the hippie-filled city of Berkeley.
For those of you who didnt have the privilege that I did of
growing up in the Bay Area, a NorCal region so weird that
seeing a guy wearing a green tutu, clown makeup, and space
pants on your commute to work is normal, the Farm-to-Table
movement calls
Deleted: ; to
Deleted: ;
Deleted: and to have more humane farming practices
Deleted: I quickly got a sense of how and why this place is
so special to the locals of San Luis Obispo

After thanking my Uber driver and getting out of the car, the excitement of the Avila

Valley Barn was what hit me immediately. The people there were so lively, and it was a nice

change of pace from the tired, sluggish college students Im typically surrounded by. Starting

off in 1985 as just a small table with a shade umbrella on the side of the road, The Barn then

grew to a ten-by-ten portable tent, and now to a full-fledged barn complete with equipment

storage, refrigeration for produce, a bakery, a petting zoo, and even an ice cream parlor (Our

History). With the wonderful goal of providing a farming experience with a farm stand

offering fresh, home-grown fruits and vegetables, it seemed like here was a family-friendly,

local attraction where the SLO community can unwind and enjoy themselves, each other, and

fresh food (Our History). Deleted: It seemed like here was a family-friendly niche,
where everyone could unwind and enjoy themselves and
each other.
As an Animal Science major, I found myself gravitating towards the animal pens. I

purchased a bag of feed (at the extremely affordable price of one dollar) and made my rounds, Deleted: ,
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visiting each pen. I was able to feed and pet a plethora of farm animals, and it honestly brought

out my inner child. I was probably just as excitedif not morepetting and feeding the new Deleted: ,
Deleted: ,
baby goats as the five-year-olds next to me were. However, I think that this is part of what

makes the Avila Valley Barn such a highlight in the San Luis Obispo community; it allows you

to connect with agriculture even in the simplest ways, like feeding some adorable animals.

Moreover, it exposes children to the agricultural community and gets them excited about it at a

young age. I think [coming here is] how I found out I really like animals, reflects eight-year-

old Mason. My mom probably takes me three or four times a month, he continues,

emphasizing that feeding the animals is his favorite activity to do here. This opportunity Mason

experiences at such a young age is incredible. So many kids visit The Barn, and become inspired

to get involved in their local agricultural community. While they may not realize it, small farms

like the Avila Valley Barn are something of a novelty in todays society; streamlined factory-

farms have replaced many of them.
Once my bag of feed ran out, I decided to make my way inside, where I found a variety
of fresh produce, baked goods, and farm-themed toys. Additionally, there were a wide variety of
Deleted: This connection that Mason has the opportunity of
experiencing at a young age is one that would be
commended among the Farm-to-Table movement. Its
encouraging the next generation to get involved in their local
agricultural community. In a sense, its almost like time
traveling to the past, when farms were set up like the Avila
Valley Barn, instead of a streamlined, factory farm.

plants to start a farm of your own: from carrot seeds, to small tomato plants, to even some Deleted: ,

succulents. Its here where I met Angela, whose appearance embodies the soccer mom archetype Deleted: to bring out your inner hipster while sprucing up
your house

to the fullest extent, from here Lulu Lemon yoga tights to her black Nikes to the Starbucks cup in

hand. Making a quick stop here to buy one of the Avila Valley Barns home-cooked pies,

Angela notes that she takes her kids here once a week. And Im happy to take them, she adds. Deleted: le

I like it here, and its such a great atmosphere everyone in the San Luis community can find

something here theyll enjoy. I think an atmosphere like that is very special, you know? Its

rare, I guess. She went onto explain the U-Pick program, with berry picking being a favorite
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among her two kids. U-Pick operations are perfect examples of ways consumers can relate back

to the old ways of farming. Here, farmers are able to sell their produce directly to the

consumer, and the general public is then able to develop a direct relationship between their food

and the outer farming community. Angela also noted that this program enhances her

connection with [her] food, as she is able to get it straight from the source, as opposed to a big

chain grocery store, such as Safeway.

Per Angelas suggestion, I grabbed a bite to eat at the Sweet Roasted Corn Shack, and

then went to enjoy it at one of the adjacent picnic tables. Its there I met Jerry and Diane, a Deleted: my snack
Deleted: at one of these picnic tables
married couple probably in their mid-sixties, who were more than willing to be interviewed for Deleted: where

my project, and they quickly went on about their grandkids and their love for the tractor rides

and animals. They felt that they have gained a sense of community here with Diane noting,

Jerry and I come here so often that we know a few [staff members] by name, and they know

us. From my own visit, I would add the friendliness to that statement. The staff were friendly

of course, but I was also impressed by the overwhelming genuine kindness of the Barns visitors.

Everyone I talked to was delighted to be interviewed and share their thoughts on this farm.

Instead of the hustle and bustle of a larger city that Im used to, people here seemed to take their

time, savoring every moment.

I truly believe that it is this slower-pace that helps foster a sense of community among the

Avila Valley Barn regulars. Its a place where people can visit and take a break from their fast-

paced, and spend time with their friends and family, enjoy great food, and experience traditional Deleted: nine to five lives they lead during the weekdays.
People are able to
agriculture. Though The Barn is not an exact replica of traditional farming life, there are many

aspects that foster it. The U-Pick program, for instance, requires people to directly harvest their

food. Here, they are literally getting their food straight from the source. And while there is an
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extra step involved, the fresh produce for sale is still grown on the property. The only difference

is that it has already been picked. Nonetheless, the distance between the food and the dinner

plate are minimized, and here is where I believe the connection comes from: when you can

identify where the food came from and maybe even know some of the farmers. There is

certainly a difference between this and buying your food at large grocery stores. Even

youngsters like Mason who just visits for the animals and ice cream are still connecting with

agriculture. Perhaps they arent doing so consciously, but they are receiving exposure and

developing an interest that, like in Masons case, may expand into adulthood. Visiting is such a

novel experience, and perhaps this is what makes this farm so special. There arent very many of Deleted: I think part of what makes this farm so special is its
novelty.

these small farms left, and as such its a unique experience to be able to visit one where chickens Deleted:
Deleted: there arent massive cattle herds or pigs squeezed
into these small pens stacked next to one another. Instead,
roam freely about the premises, the food is freshly harvested, and a whole community has been they have ample room to stretch their legs,
Deleted: and all animals get much deserved love and
built around regular visits. As Jerry remarked, Its a really special little gem, here in SLO. attention every day from the Barns many guests
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Works Cited

Huzzey, Juliana Mae. Trends in Animal Agriculture. California Polytechnic State University,

San Luis Obispo, 26 Sept. 2017, San Luis Obispo. Lecture.

"Our History." Avila Valley Barn, www.avilavalleybarn.com/history.html. Accessed 30 Nov.

2017.