SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMS
John Innes
ccSCOOP News
Supporting our local farms has recently become even more critical. Keeping our business within our borders has always been a reason to buy local, but the rising price of oil provides another compelling reason. Shipping fruits and vegetables across the country or around the world is expensive. Why would anyone buy fruits and vegetables imported from anywhere when the same produce is available from sources close to home?
Farms cannot survive without the support of the local community, and if we can’t keep our local farms alive, ALL our produce will have to be shipped from another part of the country or even another part of the world. Columbia County has a wealth of farm markets where you can buy food that is produced locally. A map showing all the farm and country markets throughout the county can be found at the Community Walk website. |
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Community-supported agriculture is an alternative to agribusiness that creates a relationship between farmer and consumer. Consumers can invest in CSA farms by purchasing farm shares. By selling farm shares, farmers have the money they need up front to buy seeds and equipment and don’t have to worry about selling their crops in an unpredictable marketplace. They have in essence presold their harvest. Consumers who purchase farm shares receive freshly harvested vegetables throughout the growing season. For example, right now, Roxbury Farm, a CSA farm in Kinderhook, is delivering to its shareholders tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, sweet corn, Italian peppers, eggplant, chard, salad mix, and parsley, as well as peaches and plums. You can find a list of all Columbia County CSA farms at http://www.farmandfood.org/directory/farms.html" www.farmandfood.org/directory/farms.html.
Buying local is a “green choice” because it reduces the carbon emissions involved in shipping produce over long distance. Buying locally grown organic produce makes an even stronger commitment to the environment, as well as to personal health. Organic produce is not genetically modified in anyway and does not use pesticides. There is still controversy about GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and whether or not they harm us, but we know well the harm that pesticides can do. Pesticides have been found to disorient bees that are attempting to pollinate the crops so much that only a portion of the bees return to the hive. Beekeepers lose their bees, and this reduces the number of bees available to pollinate the field next time.
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is an organization of organic farmers and farmers committed the use of sustainable farming methods. Their website www.nofany.org explains how a farm qualifies as an organic farm and provides a list of certified organic farms in New York. There are ten organic farms in Columbia County, among them Little Seed Gardens in Chatham and Markristo Farms in Hillsdale.
The most significant personal benefit of shopping at local farm stands and farmers markets may be that it encourages more healthy eating. Seeing all the corn, the colorful squash, and different kinds of greens displayed before you can inspire meal ideas or at least engage your interest enough to motivate you to find out how to cook them. Even is it doesn’t dramatically change your eating habits, supporting local farms is a great way to fight global warming. The fewer trucks and planes used to ship our produce, the fewer carbon emissions are spewed into the air.
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