Saving the seeds of tomorrow - newspaper article

[Tania]

Thank you folks for the kind words and encouragement! I am through with this - I think I did OK. Not too many interesting details for the real tomato addicts I am afraid, but I hope there was still something interesting for the general audience.

I wish they gave me a bit more clue what they were going to cover in this short news broadcast prior to the event. I was under impression it was supported to be about a generational gap in gardening, but it turned out to be something like 'wow, you've got 2300 varieties of tomatoes in your seed collection?' thing

It was certainly an interesting experience for me, and I now get to hear how I really sound

I will figure out how to get to the archived recording and will post a link later.

It was a live broadcast at around 6:40 am Pacific time today (August 24).

[Tania]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

I've given lots of interviews for different papers like the Boston Globe, the Sacramento Bee and others I can't remember now, and years ago they'd send you a copy of what they wrote for you to correct, but no more.

When I asked about the new policy I was told that the persons above the person doing the interview expect the interviewer to be the expert and that all that's reported will be factual.

HA HA HA!!!!

Carolyn,

In my (very limited) exposure to these things I never got anything to proof-read. They just publish it, and some things do get misinterpreted (or misunderstood).

With the radio event, I feel a bit frustrated that I felt being in the dark about what will be covered. It makes things a bit harder (for me), as I like to think through my feelings and organize my thoughts into some simple statements that I may have wanted to deliver. I guess this tells you I am a 'control freak' and perhaps even a perfectionist?

[Tania]

Here is the link to the archived podcast. Unfortunately it includes all the over 'talks', not just mine.

http://www.cbc.ca/earlyedition/past-...-wine-rick-ha/

My 5 min starts at 00:41:17.

Sounds like I was not quite awake at that time...
Nothing exciting, it was actually quite 'bland' if I may use the term.

[huntsman]

Nice article Tania -

Truth is, you're pretty much a heroine to many of us already...!

[ddsack]

Nice interview, Tania! You sound just as sweet and interesting as I imagined you would.

[Alpinejs]

Congrats on a great article and thanks. You see, I take things like this and show it to my
wife and say "see, there are even more tomato nut-cases than me. It is folks like you,
Carolyn and many others that make me look close to normal.

[Zana]

Originally Posted by Alpinejs

Congrats on a great article and thanks. You see, I take things like this and show it to my
wife and say "see, there are even more tomato nut-cases than me. It is folks like you,
Carolyn and many others that make me look close to normal.

Alpinejs,

I like to think of everybody else are the nutcases for not being as into tomatoes as we are. This is our "normal". LOL Tania is just more in tune to her tomato guru than most of us. Guess I'm going to have to do some more meditating on the subject....lol

All joking aside, the article and the interview are great and do allot to spread the message of how great heirloom / OP tomatoes are to eat and grow.

Congrats Tania! Maybe we should designate you as the Canadian Ambassador for OP Tomatoes?!!!?

[spyfferoni]

Congratulations! I want to be like you when I grow up, or should I say when my kids grow up and I have more time. I'm sure you'll inspire many new gardeners.

[Tania]

Thank you folks

[OneDahlia]

I enjoyed the article and the photos! Very cool. Now I want to know how some of those taste!

I'm brand new here and am only just starting to learn about tomatoes, but I have a small suggestion or two on dealing with newspapers. For anyone doing an interview in the future, you can ask that the reporter show you your quotes that they plan to use. While they won't show you the article, at some papers, they might show you your quotes to confirm that they got them right. If they agree to this, just check for inaccuracies -- resist the urge to try to "fix" your quotes all up because they end up sounding like an academic essay instead of something someone actually said. It's also always a good idea to tell the reporter AND photographer they can call you with any questions, and also that they can give your phone number to the copy desk in case any questions come up later. Be aware that this can be late at night.

To all of you who have given interviews, thank you for taking that leap of faith so the general public like me can learn more.

[Zana]

1dahlia4me,

First of all, Welcome to Tomatoville!

Great advice when dealing with the media. Rarely will they allow you to proof anything, but they may let you see the quotes they plan to use. Here in Canada with the stricter privacy laws, you should also be able to ask to see any photos they plan to use, saying that you won't agree to the photos being published without written approval in advance.

Zana

[Tania]

Very good tips for the future! Thank you Zana and 1dahlia4me.

I did tell them that they can call/email me any time if they need details or have more questions. No one did, the article just appeared.

[OneDahlia]

Zana, thanks for the welcome! And wow, that IS strict -- wouldn't work in the U.S.

Ah well, with all the cutbacks newspapers are facing, they aren't devoting as many resources as they should to copy editing, which is where mistakes like these get caught or missed. It's unfortunate. You might drop a note to the managing editor just so they know things are falling through the cracks.

I just listened to the radio show and enjoyed that too. I don't think it was bland. Very nice for someone with a relatively new interest in tomato gardening to hear.

1Dahlia (former copy editor )