Terrence Moore: Ahead of His Time

The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution. -Paul Cézanne

This quote was at the end of the e-mail Jackie sent me, asking me if I'd help write something about Terrence for the OH newsletter. While I may not have known Terrence as long as many of you, I felt I couldn't resist the opportunity to share my thoughts on him after seeing that quote because my most vivid memories of Terrence revolve around him crunching whole carrots.

Walking into an Open Harvest Board meeting or into my home for a lunch date or into the store, he'd have his canvas bag of "propaganda" slung haphazardly over one shoulder with the carrot in the other hand. Hair tied back, loose shirts, sandals, Terrence would stride in with a smile as he took unabashed bites of his prized vegetable.

The ideas Terrence brought to Open Harvest, as a member and a long-time Board member, could be considered "out there," but mostly he was just ahead of his time. He was a thinker, someone who was truly engaged in the real sense of the word. He not only participated in things; he felt obligated to mesh in with his fellow human beings. You could often feel his energy filtering through the room, through other people.

I love my memory of Terrence dancing at an Open Harvest party at Margot's. There was some Grateful Deadlike music playing. Terrence was like a jelly man! Swaying and moving to his own beat with absolutely no inhibition. You could actually see the joy there. Terrence approached so many things like that, with a child-like spirit that defied boundaries.

Boundaries were invisible to Terrence. If Lincoln was lacking a good natural foods store - well, let's start one! Terrence was always floating on the horizon looking down at us all with an eye for innovation and creativity. And he was a friend that saw your strengths and talents and encouraged you to pursue a wild dream without abandon. I love the story of Terrence helping Ruth Chantry and Evrett Lundquist start their CSA farm. Or Terrence offering free business advice to just about any warm body.

Terrence saw the reality that most of us do not see, or do not always wish to acknowledge: We are a part of everything, and we must treat each other and the planet well in order to survive. His thoughts were never far from inspiring stories of activists making things better. Again, he was always ahead of the curve. Terrence was pushing "local foods" before it was hot like it is now. Terrence was always there to push you, push your thoughts.

He thrived on powerful thoughts. With Terrence, you never had idle chatter. His words were full of truth and meaning, even if they were lighthearted. And he never missed an opportunity to share with you his latest plans, ideas and issues. He'd throw a copy of Orion or Utne on the table and encourage you to read about how fair trade coffee is changing the world or how plastic bags are killing us.

I think what will most remind me of Terrence in the future is nourishing food. I met him through Open Harvest, and we always seemed to gather around good grub. I've shared memorable meals and snacks with Terrence. Once, he invited the co-op's Policy Governance Committee (there's another Terrence victory!) to his house for lunch. We dined together on Terrence's homemade goods in the sun. Terrence could make one helluva soup. He cared about the way food was grown and prepared and he cared about people growing that food. He appreciated wholesomeness, spice and those big, fat carrots.

Terrence was a gift to us all, but especially to Lincoln. In this fairly conservative little town, Terrence helped build an artsy, fun, thoughtful community of people. Open Harvest would not be what it is-or perhaps it would simply not be-if not for Terrence Moore.

Sit back and relish the thought of all the people touched by Terrence in different ways, through different means, and how those people have become interlocked, intertwined and uplifted.

I read in his blog that someone called him the George Bailey of Lincoln. And, man, it was a Wonderful Life. Thank you, Terrence.

Editor's note: Terence Moore passed away May 4, 2007.