Megan Thomas
I have an undergraduate degree in history and a masters of library and information science….. how did I end up wanting to farm? As a student, the things most important to me were research and access to information. When I applied that passion to figuring out what to eat – I learned the key role a farmer plays and discovered gardening and raising livestock could be more than just a hobby.
We live in a world that tries to hide where our food comes from and what is in it. Healthy food is important to me and growing my own food became the solution to accessing it. I wanted to know how my vegetables were grown and what kind of life the animals had. Did the chickens get to scratch around in the dirt? Were the pigs happy? Were vegetables grown in soil that was being improved year after year with natural composting methods? Or was it being depleted of nutrients and exhausted? Eating healthy became more than just what I ate, but how the production methods impact the environment and our community.
As an information professional, I learned to navigate the modern problem of information overload and how to identify good information. I have applied these skills to researching how to farm sustainably. What is important to me:
- Producing the best quality nourishing food
- Happy, healthy animals
- Sustainable production methods
- Making a living wage farming
Animal husbandry is the most rewarding occupation of all time. The responsibility is daunting, but at the same time there is nothing more satisfying. I can honestly say that I can truly appreciate my meals after understanding the work behind raising them. Even more importantly, I believe that healthy happy animals taste better and are better for us.
