Working Land refers to two facets of rural landscape: the idea of working the land as a vocation and as a description of productive ground. My family tree includes immigrant ancestors who made a living from working the soil and some of their descendants who carry on this work to the present day. That personal connection to working land inspired the project.
ryan harvesting kale
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Lida Farm, August 29, 2014: This was a day to harvest produce and fill the boxes for the week’s CSA share. I told Ryan I wanted to make his portrait with the tools of his trade; at this moment his only tool was a knife for cutting and trimming the ends of kale leaves. The motto on his shirt expresses his commitment to organic farming: “Plant Till You’re Planted.”