While CommonGround volunteers across the country may not be hosting large events this summer, they have taken time over the past few months to find opportunities to connect with women in urban and suburban areas for conversations on social media. From building relationships based in common experiences like learning to home school on the fly to sharing the story of farming through COVID-19, these volunteers continue to share the story of American agriculture and bridge the distance from their fields to families’ tables digitally.
You can follow their journey on Facebook at facebook.com/CommonGroundNow.
“I know as a mom, I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to lose my cool, but at the end of the day, my family’s health and safety are my number one priority. Every parent is doing their absolute best to get through this unprecedented time, and we’re going to get through this together.”
Kate Sawyer – Kansas farmer
“My friend and I were talking about the changes in our lives since the stay-at-home orders. For me, it’s super hard to relate to COVID-19 hot spots. My friend lives in New York City, and I am in the cornfields of Missouri. She takes long walks and dodges strangers, two arm lengths away. I go for days without seeing people who don’t live in my house. But some things matter no matter where you live, and that the power of connecting with another person.”
Addie Yoder – Missouri farmer
“Farm life has to go on, regardless of COVID-19. We have been busy in the fields this spring, planting our crops to help ensure a stable food supply for your family and ours. Since the boys have been home from school, we’ve had four extra sets of hands on the farm, which we have loved every second of!”
Sara Ross - Iowa farmer
“We take great pride in raising food for people and enjoy doing it along the way. These times have shown us that people want to know where their food comes from, and we’ve gotten to meet so many new faces to live close to our farm and have started conversations about what we do and why we do it. These conversations are a positive thing during a difficult time.”
Amanda Heilman – Maryland farmer
“It can be scary to see empty shelves when visiting the grocery store. But, it’s important to know this is only a result of the over-buying and not a food shortage. There is plenty of meat, eggs, flour, butter, milk and other food products in the U.S. for everyone to feed their families.”
Katie Sawyer – Kansas farmer
“My family and other farmers are taking great measures to continue caring for our livestock until everything catches back up. Because of school and business closures, limited workers along the supply chain, and transportation delays, the entire food system built to bring fresh meat to your family’s dinner table has slowed. It is our top priority to continue raising healthy cows and sheep and to do our part to keep food safe and affordable both now and into the future.”
Kate Lambert – Missouri livestock farmer