Crannóg Ales and Left Fields

In 800 years of colonization, the Empire used Ireland as a proving ground for techniques of repression and division. Those tools were used all over the Empire.

As the Empire began to crumble, its bureaucrats used political divisions to try to retain control over places where they no longer had military power or direct governance. South Africa, Israel, Ireland - all are victims of this policy, and each of them struggle to overcome this disastrous legacy. Both South Africa and Ireland are now exemplars of how conversation can heal divisions and create unity, healing from war and building local governance.

What we heard, over and over, was the need for conversation. It was only when people began to talk, despite the rage and pain, that peace could be built. It was only when people listened that change could begin.

We need to stop thinking of farmers markets as temporary events, a short-term solution for farmers until they “get big”, or as tourist attractions. We need to treat farmers markets as a key piece of our local food system which can be a permanent marketing solution for farms of all sizes. We need to develop local policies that support people accessing the market, from transportation (local bus systems) to permanent year-round market venues with attached storage. We need to also support local food in our schools and hospitals, recognizing that people get well faster and think better when they are well fed.