Nourishing Bodies and Minds
For generations here in Easton and in places far and wide, fathers taught their children to grow food on family farms and gardens. Fathers passed along invaluable life skills to their kids who in turn shared them with future generations.
The farming life faded during the industrial revolution when many men left their homes and villages for the cities to work in business, industry and a growing range of outside professions.
Wars, the Depression, the loss of manufacturing jobs to countries overseas and related events hastened the transition.
Easton, with its enduring agrarian heritage, pristine water and forests, defied the prevailing trend to develop farmland into housing and commercial buildings. The farming life carries on in Easton with more than 20 working farms and gardens sprouting up around town.
Farmers like Sal Gilbertie, Irv Silverman and Tom Sherwood continue to pass along their skills and practices not only to their own children but also to younger generations of farmers and to the public at large.
In addition to farms, home gardens have grown in popularity along with the interest in eating fresh, wholesome foods, locally grown and without pesticides and excessive packaging. Gardening offers an opportunity for new generations of fathers, kids and grandkids to get outdoors and grow healthy produce and flowers.
The important thing is spending time together and passing along knowledge and skills. Fathers may prefer to share their love of sports, fishing, music, camping and other recreation activities with their kids. Caring adults other than fathers — mentors, uncles, friends, mothers — can carry on these timeless skills and help develop happy and resilient kids.
Fathers are special and deserve a shout out. Today is a time to celebrate our fathers and father figures and to recall cherished memories of beloved fathers who have passed away but will always be a part of us.
Happy Father’s Day from the Easton Courier editors!
