Frabulous Joy!  Oh how I love fall.  Today we harvested the last of the Kentucky Wonder Beans.   We grew them over bent cattle panels to make a bean tunnel this summer.  And it worked quite well.  The beans were happy.  The bean pickers were delighted, picking in the shade inside the tunnel.

The kids complained as we began to pick.  The beginning of any job is usually the most daunting part.  It looked like A LOT of beans.  In reality, it probably only took us 20 minutes to pick them all. And it was a pleasant job, cool and sweet, so fresh outside in the fall air.

As we worked I explained that Monsanto has been quietly buying up seed companies.  And patenting genetically modified seeds.  So eventually, when they fully own all the seed companies and the seeds which are conveniently modified so as not to reproduce themselves, they can offer only their own seeds for sale.  Knowing farmers, unlike in the olden days when they could buy seed once and then save a bit of the harvest to replant every year, will be dependent on Monsanto year after year.  Which also puts Monsanto in control of our food supply.   Not to mention, growing food that is genetically modified to produce its own internal insecticide and sterile seed Just Might turn out to be insanely stupid and short sighted.  We discussed how plants make flowers that make pollen that travels on the wind and bees to make seeds.  I told them Monsanto has, in FACT, prosecuted (and won judgment against) small farmers when natural bee driven genetic drift (and truck blown seed) have corrupted non GMO seed.  Thus putting small farmers out of business.  I pointed out that Monsanto has carefully placed several of their scientists in key government positions.  Which is how they've pushed laws through to make all this perfectly legal.

This information horrified the children.  (Horrifying children, that moment when you can nearly see their brains clicking, is wonderfully fun.)  Dear Girl reiterated her intention to move "up in the mountains and buy as much land as possible" with new conviction and purpose.  Previously land simply looked like a place to farm and more importantly, to keep the ponies she longs to have.  Now it also looks like a form of safety.  Dear Boy said it might be a good idea to grow up and become President of the United States and put a stop to this madness.   My heart soared like an eagle.  They get it.

I paused picking, held up a fistful of dried beans, and pointed out that what we were doing is an act of rebellion, participation in democracy, forward thinking, independence, and solid good citizenship.  I also reminded them they are lucky to have such a civics/biology course.   I heard zero complaining after that.

When beans were picked kids ran off to pick figs, feed chickens, swing, and search for extra tomatoes.   The air is so especially lovely today, they even volunteered to take the hound for an extra walk.

Cherokee Purple tomatoes, another excellent heirloom seed and super fine slicing fruit.