Dirt to Dinner helps readers understand where food comes from
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
An Alberta farmer is using the power of the written word to tell the story of food production.
Conny Kappler, a fruit and vegetable grower from Rolling Hills, Alta. wrote Dirt to Dinner for three reasons.
“I want to connect rural and urban communities, to teach kids about agriculture and to encourage reading,” she told Farms.com. “We spend so much time looking at our devices and I really wish people would pick up books more.”
She came up with the idea for the book while reading to her grandchildren, who live in Russia, over FaceTime.
Conny Kappler/Facebook photo
“I’ll read them five or six books every time, so I thought it would be cool to read them something I wrote,” she said.
The book is more involved than simply explaining that food originates on a farm.
Dirt to Dinner touches on subjects like photosynthesis, nutrients, soil and pollinators.
Providing these important details is crucial to helping all readers understand the work that goes into food production, said Kappler. She has been involved with Agriculture in the Classroom Alberta for about 20 years and sits on the Agriculture Service Board for Cypress County.
“I really do think there’s a need for a book like this,” she said. “I want anyone who picks up the book to get an appreciation for food and realize that it is abundant in our country. I also want them to understand what it takes to grow food and how hard farmers work to provide that food for people to enjoy.”
Ralaina Virostek, a photographer from the area, took the book’s photos.
The book is being printed. The book sells for $18.00 plus GST.
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy can contact Conny or Ralaina on the I Love Dirt Facebook page.
Facebook photo