Alberto's Gardening Experience

I seek to develop a greater, more holistic understanding, for what prompts people to grow their own foods; whether it’s for means of self-sustainability, for profit, or to simply fulfill some sort of attachment to the land and mother earth.

I will be pursuing this project by completing brief, yet informative interviews with people I know that garden as well as individuals around the U-District area in Seattle who participate in the farmer’s market and also have their own gardens.

I begin my quest by interviewing my good friend Alberto. Alberto and I were together in school from 2nd grade up until our senior year in high school. I still recall Alberto telling me stories about being away for the weekend either working in his family’s garden or being out in some nearby farmer’s market selling flowers. Alberto tells me that his family first got involved in growing their own flowers when both his father and uncle began collaborating. The men rented a plot of land in the Yakima Valley of Washington state. Here they grew flowers, which were sold for profit. Later on, Alberto’s dad moved on and rented out a different plot where he continued growing flowers and started to incorporate produce. Today, Alberto’s family continues to grow their own flowers and produce on about nine acres of land.

Alberto’s dad enjoys being out in the field. Alberto indicates that his dad will spend the whole day out watering, plowing, and picking flowers and produce. For his dad, having a garden is more than just selling for profit, but an attachment to the land. Alberto says that it’s simply something his dad knows and loves to do.

Alberto isn’t too fond of the garden. He says it’s too hot sometimes to be out there picking produce for the weekend sale. Nonetheless highlights include being able to eat fresh food through out the summer and into mid-winter which is when the beginning freezing temperatures inhibit plant survival. Alberto enjoys seeing frequent customers whom he indicates are mostly retired individuals. It’s these people that come for fresh produce straight from the farmer. A community bond is created as Alberto also shares that customers and other vendors will share recipes with one another.

Thus far I think I’m off to a good start! I wanted to start with Alberto because I’ve known him for awhile and because I knew his insight would be a great beginning for what I hope will be a journey into the lives of those who grow. In Alberto’s case, I note that the influence in growing produce (and flowers) comes from wanting to make profit. But, once we dig deeper, it’s also important to understand the concept of self-sustainability and also the idea of simply wanting to maintain some sort of attachment to the land.

Below is a link to the Yakima Farmer’s Market web-site:

http://www.yakimafarmersmarket.org/