Author: Melissa Mayer

WHEEL OF LIFE: “Good farmers use land according to its livelihood.  They are careful students of its natural vegetation, soil depth, structure, slope and drainage.  They are not appliers of generalizations, theoretical, methodical or mechanical.  Nor are they active agents of their own economical will, working their way upon an inert and passive mass.  They …

MOTHER NATURE: She has a way of reminding us who really is in charge.  Amid the conversations I have been having with the farmers this week, I got the clear impression that we are at Nature’s mercy.  Crops fail, field’s lose fertility, the heat forces herbs to flower and lettuces to get a sunburn.  While …

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY Farming is at the root of American cultural development and at its truest is a spiritual discipline and a significant provider of both rural and urban communities.  The farmers that provide us with the goods from their land exemplify just that.  For several decades our country emphasized big agribusiness which de-emphasized community and …

“Did you see any movie stars?!” This was the most popular question asked of me upon my return from the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday.  I replied with “No.  I was looking for produce.”  After touring the market, dozens of farmers and over 200 pictures later, I was dizzy with excitement and marvel over …

My First Official Farmers Market Report!! As a chef and a true food lover I get really giddy as spring sprouts beautiful nourishment from the earth. All across the state seeds have been sewn and the early birth of spring produce is being harvested. Strawberries are abound in many varieties: eat-from-the-basket fresh to perfect for …