Small farms biting the dust

Raleigh News & Observer ^ | January 25, 2004 | KRISTIN COLLINS

[sarcasm]

ping

[hoosiermama]

Have you read the book THE LAST FARMER by Howard Kohn. A real eye opener. A must read for those who had ancestors who farmed.

[I still care]

I can't avoid China at Walmart, but so far I can avoid foreign vegetables at the supermarket.

I never buy vegetables or fruits from another country where the skin is edible anyway - countries have such different standards about pesticide applications and such, I just don't trust them.

[CHUCKfromCAL]

What happened to the idea that, in a democracy with a free market system, each consumer could make his choices based on self interest?

I still fail to understand why farmers should be protected from competition. How are they different than any other small business?

I guess farmers are in some kind of protected class that is to important to be allowed to loose their jobs.

[upcountryhorseman]

You are absolutely right; for instance, Mexico still uses
DDT.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[upcountryhorseman]

I agree with you, but agriculture got caught up in the
so-called "global economy" fostered by large multi-national
corporations. The average small farmer cannot derive any
advantage out of exporting to the world so he must develop
a nitche market and many do.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[7.62 x 51mm]

Here in Pennsylvania, I buy only locally-grown produce, in season, and resist buying imported stuff, out of season. The exception this winter is the l-a-r-g-e Butternut Squash from Kalifornicate, which I roast in the evenings, and turn into a bisque, then freeze and use in the off season. Our end of year yield was pitiful, from the rainy year we had.

I've seen many too many of the locals giving up after many generations in the farming industry, being bought out, or selling off huge tracts of land to developers. Farmland is disappearing rapidly around here.

[Pitchfork]

The answer for both this farmer and for consumers interested in buying locally grown agricultural products is to find or set up a local food coop. Our family joined one recently for access to locally raised meat products from animals raised without unhealthy confinement that requires heavy anti-biotic doping and which are fed a diet without any rendered meat products. The downside is you'll have to attend coop meetings with a heavy population of birkenstock-wearing granola types who would like to see the meat section replaced by the TOFU aisles! Fortunately healthy eating that supports local farmers is a principle that crosses the ideological spectrum and you'll find conservatives too.

[IrishCatholic]

Response-schmonse. This is about your tag line.
When Timmy fell down the well Lassie always went for help. (They always knew where to go because Timmy had something wrong in his head and always fell down the well.) Your cat on the other hand would sit on the edge and lick himself while being amused by your predicament.
You feed and clean up cat litter all day for the simple privilege's of having a cat climb on your head in the middle of the night. A dog will stick by your side through thick and thin. Will take on bears, killers, other dogs, the mailman, anyone who threatens you. A cat couldn't care less if you are eaten as long as the can opener works on time.
I have an English Mastiff that loves me. My wife has cats,that's plural, cats, that she 'rescued'.
In the animal kingdom cats are liberals that expect to be taken care of and dogs are patriotic conservatives that pull their weight, protect your house and stand up for what's right.
Oh,by the way, what was this thread about?

[Hank Rearden]

And computers don't come from the small neighborhood computer store anymore, either.

So what? Welfare Farmers don't deserve handouts; they can compete like any other industry. Or die.

[marsh2]

I still fail to understand why farmers should be protected from competition. How are they different than any other small business? ...I guess farmers are in some kind of protected class that is to important to be allowed to loose their jobs.

I believe there are many examples in history of what happens when a country allows itself to become dependent upon other countries for essential resources necessary for human survival. The more dependent the United States becomes on other countries, the more of a "national interest" it has in what happens in those countries - the more embroiled it gets in wars and actions to protect those foreign resources, our continued access to them and the ability to transport those resources to the homeland.

Having local resources, the knowledge and technology to develop those resources, a market system to distribute those resources and an industry to utilize them and make them into useable products is economic independence. We have outsourced our industry, so that we no longer have the infrastructure to manufacture. Markets have become global. We have encumbered access to our local natural resources with regulation so that we no longer can afford to develop them. We have burdened technological advances in genetics with fearful notions. In the process, we are losing a generation of knowledge. We are losing our national independence and our strength.

We are losing our small miners, loggers, farmers and ranchers. We are becoming a bloated and decadent empire dependent upon economic third world "colonies" to produce the products that serve our basic needs. In the meanwhile, our saved wealth is hemorrhaging to other nations as our real standard of living descends, bolstered only by credit on our future wealth.

Wealth is natural resources + labor and knowledge. The vast number of our farmers and ranchers are at retirement age. Doesn't that scare you a bit?

[Freebird Forever]

The answer for both this farmer and for consumers interested in buying locally grown agricultural products is to find or set up a local food coop.

Another option which has had success in some areas is the formation of CSA's

In basic terms, CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Members or shareholders of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land. Members also share in risks, including poor harvest due to unfavorable weather or pests. — USDA definition

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) requires a high level of trust between the community and the farmer. Its physical basis is diversified small-scale agriculture (what used to be called truck farming). It is more suited to some areas of the U.S. than to others. CSAs thrive where small farms can provide a diverse array of consumer-ready products such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, meats, honey, milk products, and eggs to large urban populations (the market) in close proximity to the farm. CSAs are less adapted to sparsely populated regions characterized by large-scale commodity farming.

[marsh2]

Both are fine, unless you are a grower of feed for livestock or grains. (That is primarily what is produced in my region. The growing season is too short and the danger of frost too high for most commercial veggie crops.)

[Freebird Forever]

I notice that you've got a CA flag on your page.

Please excuse my unfamiliarity with your state. Where are you located that you have a problem with frost & short growing seasons?

[BikerTrash]

Great reply!

I would add that since the Lord decided to put most of the oil underneath land populated by people that hate us, we just have to deal with it. His will be done.

But if we stupidly place our food supply in the same situation, we deserve what will happen to us.

[TankerKC]

Small farms biting the dust

In a related story, Buggy Whip sales at an all time low!

[Cagey]

Another option which has had success in some areas is the formation of CSA's

Whew! For a moment I thought you were going to recommend secession. And you know how those Civil War threads go around here.