Your Durham Ag BULLetin

This last Friday was Wear Red Day. A day to promote awareness to heart disease and stroke through our choice of wardrobe and to show support for American Heart Month. It is also, for many, a personal affirmation that they are survivors! They are among the lucky who now count each day as a blessing.

You may be sitting here reading this thinking, okay Janel, what does this have to do with you or agriculture for that matter?!

Well, I too am a survivor. It may seem like a personal thing to put out there to all who read this, and you are correct, it is. I struggled with whether I should get this personal. But, I believe strongly that people need to see heart disease as something that can hit young as well as old, fit as well as those who may have not hit the gym often.
When I had my heart attack I was on the treadmill just starting my morning run. I have always been fit and eaten right. But, yup, here I was wondering if the tightness in my chest, the pain in my left arm, the shortness of breath, and the nausea were pointing to what I thought it was. I am too young! I am healthy!
I got off the treadmill and Googled "heart attack symptoms in women", and then headed for the ER.
Once at the ER, the docs were not too convinced it was in fact a heart attack until it was confirmed with a special blood test. I count myself among the lucky. I know some who have been sent home with much worse consequences.
What caused my heart attack was a spontaneous coronary artery dissection known as SCAD. It affects mostly women (~80%) who are below the ages of 55.
And why am I putting this here? Because I want to get the word out. Because I still strongly believe we need to strive to eat heart healthy food, and ensure that we have a steady supply of healthy, nutrient dense food. Because we need to support our farmers who produce locally grown food and make it available through an equitable and resilient food system. And because I know that awareness can save a life.

In collaboration with Durham Soil & Water, and sponsored by the Durham Farmland Protection Board, these breakfast & training sessions will feed your body and mind.

These sessions will be hybrid - and available in person at the Bahama Ruritan building or online over Zoom.

February 23: Learn about two invasive insects - Fire Ants and Spotted Lantern Fly - from NC State University researchers Dr. Wes Watson and Dr. Steve Frank and earn two CEU pesticide credits K,L,N,O,D,X
Register Here for Feb. 23

Are you new to farming? Are you ready to take your gardening to the next level and begin a market garden? This class is for you.

I have teamed up with Orange County Cooperative Extension for a mini-workshop series for new and beginner farmers.

The first class will be an introductory class about the basics of successful vegetable production and free to attend.

This will be followed by a group of two online classes and a hands-on, in-person field day at Breeze Farm in Orange County.

Find out more here