When you go to any type of farm meeting you can be pretty sure you’ll be fed well. NAFB’s Washington Watch is no different. This year we all were treated to a fine meal at Founding Farmers.
At Founding Farmers we believe that everyone benefits by knowing more about the source of the food they eat. We understand the journey of our products from seed to harvest, and from Farm-to-Table. Owned by a collective of American family farmers, Founding Farmers exists to promote the products and services of family farms, ranches, and fisheries. We celebrate and share the long-standing connection between farmers – the first to lead the “green” movement – and their historic stewardship of natural resources.
Our host was Founding Farmers General Manager Christian Holmes, pictured with NAFB President Pam Jahnke.
When he was 14 years old washing dishes in the Italian restaurant down the road from his house in rural upstate New York, Christian Holmes had no idea he’d already found his calling. While he pursued his love for history in undergraduate and graduate school, Christian worked in bars and restaurants to help pay the bills. When the opportunity to manage a popular college town restaurant became available, working in a fast-paced fun environment lured him away from his plans to teach history.
Before we settled down to dinner a few NAFB members got together with Christian for an interview. I recorded it for you. In the interview Christian says the restaurant is the vision of the North Dakota Farmers Union. He says it presents the American family farmer to legislators as well as consumers. He was attracted to the facility because “It’s not just about the food and the restaurant experience. It’s the fact that we’re owned and supported by farmers.”
You can listen to our group interview with Christian here: ww-09-holmes.mp3