Diana Endicott so close yet so far from the White House

Over the weekend, voting closed on who should be the next White House Farmer. Considering it was a poll with no weight for a position that doesn’t exist, people took it quite seriously. The idea came from Michael Pollan’s New York Times column suggesting a farmer-in-chief. Within days the Web site White House Farmer was made and nominations came pouring in from all over the country.

Of the three local candidates, Diana Endicott had the best story and the best line: “Diana Endicott is the farmer that can lead a team to develop a White

House Garden that will set the path to urban gardens across the

country.”

As the polls closed, it was clear Endicott had done very well but alas, would end up short. Of the 111 nominees, she placed sixth with more than 2,400 votes. The winner was Claire Strader of Wisconsin. According to White House Farmer’s Web site, “We are compiling a packet of information on the top three nominees and

will send it to President Obama’s staff.”

The White House’s loss is our gain. Endicott’s Good Natured Family Farm, which she runs with her husband Gary, supplies tomatoes and other goods to area Hen Houses. It also supplies items to restaurants like Bluestem, Cafe des Amis and Peach Tree.