Don't read this if you haven't done your homework.
Don't read this if you want a simple soundbite.
Don't read this if you think we're living in the 1960's.
The mission of Global Food Collaborative is to contribute to preventing and reversing chronic disease. The stories we publish are of evolvers/solvers who are best described as those demonstrating, by virtue of their actions, a way to provide a healthier population. Some of those are farmers, ranchers, growers and health professionals who long ago connected soil health and human health. We affectionally call these people "soillingual" as they easily traverse between plant, animal and human health.
The key to these people is their constantly evolving and improving their work around incredible challenges and changes in the environmental landscape. As I say often, they are my heroes.
One of those heroes has been Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for obvious reasons (you've done your homework, right?) So, this summer, I took a leave of absence from GFC to volunteer with his campaign in Montana. It afforded me the opportunity to meet people in communities throughout the state and learn and talk health, soil, addiction and much more. It also offered an opportunity to talk with other state leaders throughout the country. It was energizing and empowering. What I learned, empowered me even more to tell stories of evolvers and solvers. More and better stories of the people, on the ground, showing the way and putting voice to action is critical. What I learned, is that local community is a wealth of resources that have incredible collaborative potential. What I learned is that people are hurting and we have the potential to heal by working together. I know the together is always emphasized, but I believe the working is the part often overlooked and frequently absent from those who are "too busy" or "don't see the point" and a myriad of other explanations.
One of my favorite sayings, comes from Paul Hawken. I think of this so often, as it applies to all of the existential issues of our time.
“There’s no difference between a climate denier and somebody who’s literate in climate change and doesn’t do anything.” -- Paul Hawken
It is my observation of this summer's listening tour, that the literate on human health, climate and soil health are not who you might think and those who have the means to be informed and help on this journey are MIA.
I urge those who are MIA to read one or more of these books, listen to these long form podcasts, open your eyes, open your ears and genuinely open your heart -- and take action.
An American Sickness (A great start!)
"I got involved with chronic disease 20 years ago, not because I chose to or wanted to. It was essentially thrust upon me. It was an issue that should have been central to the environmental movement. I was a central leader at that time, but it was widely ignored by all the institutions, including the NGOs, who should have been protecting our kids against toxins. It was an orphaned issue, and I had a weakness for orphans." - RFK Jr. (August 23, 2024) Complete transcript here.
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