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Why Small Family Farms Are Good For The Economy

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In today’s economy, everyone is trying to save as much money as possible and make as much money as they can at the same time. The number of people who go to flea markets to shop for items and to sell the items they no longer need has grown significantly in the past few years. Another method of making money and providing for the community at the same time is the small farmer who grows their own vegetables.
A small family who grows their own food can sell the extra items they do not need. There are also families who grow vegetables specifically to take to markets to sell to others at low prices. Selling vegetables to other people in the community not only benefits the farmer, but it benefits the people who are buying the vegetables as well. The farmer makes money from the products that they sell, and the consumer saves money by buying items that are local instead of paying the high prices found at grocery stores. As more people begin to have their own farms, there will be more people to buy vegetables from. Those who want fresh vegetables for their family will be able to find someone who has them to sell.

The Benefits Of Buying Local Produce From Family Farms

admin — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The reasons for purchasing goods from family-owned farms are nearly endless. Concern for the environment and support for regional economies are enough reason for most people to realize the importance of using local goods from local sources. Here are some other compelling arguments for keeping your buying close to home.

Insuring Family Health And Quality Time

Fresh produce, grown locally and harvested at the optimal moment is the most nutritious and best tasting. Picking your own fruits and vegetables, when allowed to do so, will give your family exposure to natural environments, fresh air and exercise. Farm outings are inexpensive and allow ample educational opportunities, where families can learn and work together. Knowledge of where your meals come from is humbling and creates peace of mind in a world where over-processing of food is the rule rather than the exception.

Support For Local Families, Local Ecology And Animal Welfare

There’s something to be said for getting to know your neighbors. Fostering mutual reliance within your own community creates a better community. Knowing when and how animals and plants are grown and treated can simplify your own buying regimen. Farms in close proximity consume less energy, and so will you. Knowing that your money supports your neighbors and your community is a great feeling.

Why Small Farmers Are Having To Take Outside Jobs

admin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The agricultural business has changed drastically over the last 50 years. Equipment and farming practiced have allowed for the consolidation of most cash crops. Where the food supply was once provided by local farmers, major corporations now exist that serve this need. Most farmers are under contract with large corporations and must abide by their rules.

So where does the small farmer fit in? More often than not he or she is forced into a life where farming isn’t their only income. In fact, most small farmers use their crops as supplemental income. The reason for this is that large operations owned by a few are able to produce food cheaper.

Government subsidies to large corn producers and other also exacerbate the situation. Not only can large outfits produce large amounts more efficiently, the government is actually paying them to do so. The small farmer must eek out a living by charging more for what consumers hope is a better product.

While there will likely always be a place for the small farmer, he may be relegated to meager profits from his farming endeavors. By finding unique niches, however, the farmer may be able to succeed once again in the modern economy.

What A Typical Day On A Small Farm Is Like

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Some people dream about what a typical day on a small farm is like? With the dangers in the food supplies, many people are looking at farming as a way to grow their own food. An average day on a small farm is still busy. The animals need feed, stalls need cleaned out and animals need attention just like any other animal.

Farming may include planting vegetation, water plants and vegetation and making sure that everything runs smoothly.While that can be described in just a few sentences, in real life it is an all day adventure. There is something about farming that allows a person to know where about the quality of food they are serving and allows them to have pride in their efforts of labor.

Many farmers are facing increased problems from industry farming. Smaller family run farms are being run out of business by local conglomerates who can operate faster and more efficiently that the down home guys. Farming has certainty evolved over the past 3 decades and the use of the new machinery is taking farming to a whole new level. Still there is something wonderful about the simplicity of living off the land and growing food, which is still inviting to a great deal of people.

How Corporate Farms Put Small Farmers Out Of Business

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

One of the biggest problems facing the small, independent farmer today is the massive amounts of capital needed to run a modern farming operation. There are equipment costs and maintenance, fertilizer expenses, and so on. The corporate farms have huge amounts of resources to work with that the small farmer simply does not have access to. Most small farms are heavily in debt through loan structures and credit buildup; if there is a bad harvest year, or international prices drop dramatically, the farmer may not be able to withstand the financial hardship. Modern farming is a very sophisticated operation today, with many interconnecting linkages , functions, and structures; any weak link of that supply and distribution chain, and the entire chain can break! There are many ‘middlemen’ in between the farmer’s produce and ultimately ending up on the consumer supermarket shelf! Plus the small farmer has to factor in losses due to disease, pests, spoilage, etc. Today’s super-mega-corporation food producers are increasingly using GMO’s and hybrid seeds, which some corporations have placed patents upon. This causes the small-scale farmer to keep coming back to the corporation year after year, just to survive. In the end, it is the mega-corporations that control the world food supply; food control equals people control.