Occupied Wall Street: So You Say You Want A Revolution?

Occupied Wall Street Journal published by the protesters in Zuccotti Park, NYC

Yesterday, before we embarked on a crowded-kitchen cheesemaking home-brewing bonanza, we decided to go check out this little protest you may have heard of: Occupy Wall Street. We're only two trains and a couple subways stops away, so why not see what it's all about firsthand?

The current fragility of the world economic system combined with worldwide dissatisfaction for how our leaders are managing the situation is leading to historic times across the world. It may take some time and it may not be as dramatic as some people would expect, but I think this mini-revolution has some steam and there’s a good chance that some permanent change is made. One thing is apparent, there is broad disenfranchisement with how we’re represented in this democracy of ours. There's plenty of similiarities stretching from the disconnect between Wall St and the population and Industrial Ag and the population and I'd venture to guess that we'll see more civil unrest in the future, not less. 

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Farm Hopping: Meat & Cheese at Nature's Harmony Farm


Cows Grazing at Nature's Harmony

It’s hard to believe the trip to Georgia was almost six months ago. Now that fall has officially arrived springtime seems long ago and far away.

Along our farm journey we’ve made certain to visit as many farms as possible, many of which we’ve been profiling in our Farm Hopping series. One of the most exciting visits (for us personally, not because something exploded or we won the lottery or anything) was our trip down to Nature’s Harmony. Ever since we got all wrapped up in this farming stuff we’ve been fans of Tim and Liz Young, who run the show down in Elberton, GA. They always struck us as a little bit different and I always admired their ability to ask “why?” when they started farming. Some people view their questioning of current farm practices as being a bit presumptuous, but I always found it inspiring. It takes a lot of courage to challenge an industry that is so well rooted in its practices.

So, Who is Nature’s Harmony Farm?

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Into the Void

wheel-farmhouse-cheddar-cheese-cheese-landscapeCheesescape by Sweetbreads

Two weeks ago, I had a meeting with my boss. In one of those chilling moments you might have played out in your head when someone mentioned a “double dip”, he told me that “x brand” I direct is downsizing and can’t afford to have me anymore. Then a huge grin broke out on his face as he told me not to worry because, guess what?! There was a new job all lined up for me. The company that owns the small young designer label I direct(ed) also owns a massive Target-like brand that was just launched in Australia. The same senior director position there was open for me to take - take or be out of a job. 

From an ethical and environmental perspective, joining this company would be like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. From a personal sanity point of view, it would have meant going from a scrappy, creative, studio where I create a collection with a pencil, fabric, my team and a master patternmaker, to massive 3 floor offices where “hands on” means tearing pages out of magazines (of things to rip off) and shopping (for things to rip off). But - it would have been a job. Had we not embarked upon this journey, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have taken it for a few months while I searched for something more in line with my skill set, gulping down half a bottle of wine every night and trying hard not to verbally vomit my stress all over Scrapple. I’ve been there before and although it isn’t pretty, it’s life.  

But I didn’t. After a talk with Scrapple, I quit.

I quit!

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