We went on the farm tour this weekend. Stone & Thistle is a sustainable/organic farm, and I've read mentions about them over the past several years, so I was really looking forward to seeing their farm up close. The tour is geared to children, which is fine, but most of the adults were either uninterested in the information presented during the tour or bored by the somewhat simplistic topics. The tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable, and when I asked more specific questions, she was always willing to talk more in depth. Overall, I think the tour is still worth taking, but it's most appropriate for people with young children.
The owner of the farm -I can't remember her name- could use some pointers on public relations, however. She started off the tour by lecturing everyone on the merits of sustainable farming, then complained about the FDA regulations concerning the labels "certified" organic and "grass fed" beef. She railed on about how the local creamery stopped working with her for several reasons, and how they are now planning to build their own creamery on the farm but haven't been able to raise the money, etc. I got the feeling she is one of those people who sees a conspiracy and roadblocks in everything. (Note: I am aware of the issues she was complaining about, and agree with her on most things, but I think that most people who come to her farm are already concerned about their food source and are aware of the political issues surrounding food production, but people don't like to feel lectured to)
To top it off, after her speech I complimented her on a new addition to the farmhouse by saying that I was an architect and that I liked the modern yet sensitive addition. She launched into a 10 minute diatribe about how Architects are "not necessary" and how the one she hired screwed her over. I politely pointed out (again) that I was an architect, thinking that maybe she would stop insulting my profession to my face, and suggested that obviously she hired the wrong architect; but no, she didn't take the hint. I was literally aghast and didn't know what to say. I've rarely met someone as tone deaf to other people as she is.
It's a shame because I would like to try the dinner or brunch at their new restaurant, but there's no way I would come back and deal with her again. read more
