ADAMS TWP — Members of Rich-Mar Rotary like to recognize public heroes.

Police, firefighters and military members all bear important responsibilities when it comes to the safety and well-being of civilians.

Rich-Mar Rotary makes a point to praise them for their service and sacrifice. One way of doing that is through a meal. For the past three years, regional police have been recognized for their work in this way.

“It's become one of our most popular luncheons,” said Chuck Berry, program director.

But about a year ago, Berry started thinking about people who often aren't recognized and still contribute to the health and wellness of American communities.

“We tend to overlook farmers,” Berry said. “Think about how important they really are.”

In an effort to recognize the people who provide the meals used to thank public heroes, Rich-Mar Rotary organized a luncheon at Treesdale Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.

Farmers honored

The guests of honor were local farmers Adam Dean, Jackie Cleary and Art King.

The idea, according to Berry, was to understand what farmers do, what they deal with and how they provide for the populace.

“They're very busy,” Berry said.

Dean owns Pasture Maid Creamery, a family business in New Castle. While Pasture Maid Creamery sells various dairy products, its specialty is cheese.

“I'm a sixth-generation dairy farmer,” Dean said. “We've lived on the same land since 1840.”

King runs Harvest Valley Farms in Valencia with his family.

King and his crew sell produce at a few farm market locations. Harvest Valley Farms also has a 396-member Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

“We farm 160 acres of vegetables,” King said. “Fifty-eight different varieties.”

Cleary is a first-generation farmer who works within the confines of her 64-acre Auburn Meadow Farm in West Middlesex. After researching farming and food production, Cleary decided to trade in a white-collar job for livestock.

“I just couldn't believe what I was learning was for real,” Cleary said. “No one ever offered farming to me as an opportunity.”

Cleary has a background in horse training, which is part of the reason she now deals in heritage breeds.

Berry asked the trio what a typical day for them is like.

“I'll tell you when I'm done,” Dean joked.

It's hard to be a farmer and make personal plans, Cleary said. For instance, she said one of her sows has been on “piglet watch” for several days. She had to decide whether she'd attend the luncheon.

“You really don't ever know what's going to happen,” Cleary said.

King said his daily duties change during the offseason. But when harvest time arrives, the first thing he does every day is pick sweet corn.

“Last year, I picked sweet corn for 80 days straight,” King said.

After dinner is when King usually does “tractor work.”

For Dean, a typical day includes — among other things — two rounds of milking 65 to 70 cows. Milking times might change a little, but most things on the dairy farm are constants.

“It's kind of like a 'Groundhog Day' type of thing,” Dean said.

Pasture Maid Creamery also grows its own feed. Dean said the farm has about 500 acres of feed crops, including spelt, hay and corn.

Dean said 500 acres might seem like a lot to farm. But in the world of dairy, it's relatively small. Unlike national food giants, Dean said he just needs to cater to a core group of consumers.

“Agriculture was never meant to be industrialized,” Dean said. “And it is.”

Farmers field questions

Responding to questions from Rotarians, the farmers said buzzwords like “organic” and “farm-to-table” can be misleading because they've been corrupted by popular culture.

“It's just a label,” Dean said.

“It's a moving target,” Cleary said. “Everything is 'trendy.'”

Cleary said taking Wall Street out of the equation could significantly improve things for the sales of local farmers.

“There are major players invested in these (major) companies,” Cleary said.

Buying food close to its source is important for well-being, Dean, King and Cleary agreed.

King said the benefits aren't just to a person's health, but also to a person's wallet. Money that goes to local farmers stays in the community.

“You have the option to buy local,” King said. “When you're buying (locally), you're getting it back.”

Farming is tough, unpredictable work, Cleary said. She said her experience as a farmer has been “an education and a half.”

“It really changes who you are,” Cleary said. “I just have the utmost awe for anyone who's been able to last (in farming).”

Part of Cleary's operation is public education. Dean, King and Cleary agreed consumer education is an important part of the success of local farmers.

When consumers understand what product labels mean and recognize different production processes, they can make educated sale choices.

The farmers hope their farming practices help generate awareness in the community.

“It really is up to you,” Cleary said. “You have to be a stakeholder, not a shareholder.”