Farmers, ranchers join artists to inform public

By Deborah Moon Seldner

Helping urban residents understand the intimate, symbiotic relationship between farmers and ranchers and the land was the reason two Oregon farm and ranch families agreed to bring artists into their lives while the artists created an art exhibit on sustainable agriculture.
Twelve Northwest artists and 12 farmers/ranchers explore evolving agricultural practices in a new exhibit, "Sustaining Change on the American Farm: An Artist-Farmer Exchange" at Maryhill Museum of Art near Goldendale, Wash., from March 15 through July 30. The artists were paired with award-winning farms and ranches and spent much of last year observing, experiencing and learning about the challenges farmers/ranchers face.
"We wanted all this to show we are environmentalists," said Pieper
Sweeney, whose family met with artist Bonnie Meltzer. "Farmers get a bad rap. For the most part, a farmer is an environmentalist. We want to fight the perception we aren't taking care of the land."
Three generations Sweeneys farm about 1,000 acres in Dayton—Sam and Nancy Sweeney, their son Tom and wife Pieper, and grandchildren Shawne, 11, and Austin, 13. The family raises a variety of berries and vegetables for Norpack's Santiam Flavor Pack label.
"We want better ties with our urban cousins and city neighbors," said Sam, who expressed concern about the survival of farmland versus encroaching urbanization.
"I thought Bonnie captured the essence of a western Oregon family farm," said Nancy.
"Part of me wondered if I'd like it," said Pieper. "I absolutely love this piece."
"She captured the pressures," added Tom.
Doc and Connie Hatfield and their son Travis operate High Desert Farm near Brothers and the couple manage Country Natural Beef, a cooperative of more than 60 ranchers using environmentally friendly and socially responsible ranching practices to supply natural beef to vendors such as Burgerville Restaurants and New Seasons Markets. Artist Sidonie Caron spent time with the Hatfields, especially Travis, to learn about their connection to the land.
"They were talking about sustainability and that's what we are all about," said Connie of why the family agreed to participate.
"Art seemed like an interesting format to communicate sustainability," said Doc, whose family has been ranching in Oregon since 1853. "We were curious to see what that would look like."
The couple were pleased with what they saw.
"Her pictures evoke emotions and images about sustainability," said Doc.
Connie said that Caron mainly spoke to Travis, who she said has "a great way of talking about the environment and wildlife and the cattle here and how the cattle feel in the high country desert.
A painting of Travis looking at the grass especially impressed the couple for its relevance. Doc said desert ranchers spend a lot of time looking at grass to determine when and where to move cattle and considering the health of the range.
"We are looking for those signs all the time and I think that's what she (Caron) captured," said Doc.