The Greenhorns breezed into Chandler Briggs’ Island Meadow Farm on Vashon Island October 4th for a young farmer meet-up that brought out well over 250 young farmers from around the Northwest.

Folks proudly brought their home grown farm salads and desserts to compliment a pig-roast, flowing drink from the tanks and vines of the NW brewers and winemakers, a screening of The Greenhorns documentary, and dancing to some great live music from The Tallboys.

The Greenhorns documentary, now in post-production, explores the lives of America’s young farming community – its spirit, practices, and needs. The young farmers at the Vashon meet-up, some with land, some still finishing programs in managing rural farms, were excited to get to know each other and share new skills.

I talked to young Seattle urban farmers from Alleycat Acres, Cascade Edible Landscapes, and the Seattle Farm Co-op, students more formally learning the nuts and bolts of managing a rural farm at the Greenbank Farm Training Center on Whidbey Island, Bullock’s Permaculture Homstead on Orcas Island, as well as talking to plenty of young farmers who are learning the ropes by working hard during the planting and harvesting seasons with local CSAs.

Bubbling with health and enthusiasm – our local young farmers are embracing and re-inventing a healthy local food system as a way of taking back control of the world.