How Can We Support our Local Farmers?

Question

Small farms are an endangered species due to competition from big factory farms.

Answer 1

We could raise awareness about this issue and get the Current Affairs' douches on them.

Current Affairs shows hate big companies which is ironic since they are own by one.

Answer 2

Here's the good news -- over the last four years things have been looking better for smaller and regional farms. Thanks in no small part to growing consumer awareness; shifting purchasing and distribution patterns; support for smaller farms from Granges, universities, collectives, etc.; and new economic opportunities -- including something as simple as the return of the Saturday morning farmer's market!

Still, they continue to strongly need our support, promotion and backing. Here are some of the best things you can do to aid local and regional farmers:
*Purchase directly from farmer's markets, farm stands, local co-ops, and look at the product labels in stores to see just where the item you're buying is from.
*Be "green mile conscious". If it costs $0.50 more a pound for carrots from a farm three miles away than 1,200 miles away, buy the local carrots. This helps the area economy, reduces pollution and is environmentally wise.
*Support community programs and efforts that get people involved with the area agricultural elements -- farms, orchards, ranches, etc. When you can put a name and a face with a product on the shelf you encourage brand loyalty and help sales.
*VOTE!

If this means a great deal to those reading this stop by the two links below -- the last is the National Family Farm Coalition. They can always use another voice and some extra help.

Final note: The person that provided the first answer here is an idiot. Local, family and regional farming helped define this nation and are still vitally important. I'll take a sugar snap pea for better taste, freshness and value from the Nye farm up the street any day of the week over a chemical loaded knock-off from ADM thank you very much.

Answer 3

go to the farmers market and buy your produce, grains, honey, etc....You can also ask your grocer what local farmers they support. Another thing is some farms have a delivery service. You pay at the beginning of the season a set price and you can get a share of their crop. Sometimes you have to pick it up or meet half way. You get some really cool produce and this helps the local farmers plant crops and stay afloat. Check your local agriculture extension and they usually have pamphlets of what is available.

Answer 4

Here in Baja Califoria there are still some small farms and we support them...there will be a guy in a truck who brings vegetables in season or we can drive a few miles to the Guadalupe Valley and buy all manner of greenhouse grown veggies and herbs. The local tomatoes just off the vine are wonderful. Just across the US/Mexico border in Chula Vista CA there are a number of Famers Markets that feature local CA produce, they are widely supported.

Answer 5

You can help support them by buying some of their goods. This is one of the best ways that take less efforts but makes a big difference to those small farms.

Answer 6

Buy local, go directly to the farmer or go to farm stands that sell local produce. Small grocerys will sometimes sell only local produce as well.

Answer 7

It is heart warming to see that most answers have been given in support of the small farmer ,sorry for those who feel they are a liability & need to go,if things get harder for the small farmer & they get less support & encouragment,they may well have to fold up & quit ,but as long as there are people to appreciate their effort & back them up ,buying their produce & appreciating their effort ,we may not have to worry about this eventuality just yet.

Answer 8

You can start by buying your produce from your local farmer's market. You can support several local small farms there. It's more likely to be organic, too. Also, you can buy directly from many small farms in the area. We have several small farms and orchards in our area that rely on farmer's markets and "roadside stands" to keep them going and their prices are fair.

Answer 9

We can support them by buying direct if possible. When produce is in season, another option is the local farmers market. Be careful, though; during the offseason, the merchants have to get their produce shipped in from elsewhere, just like the supermarkets.

Answer 10

I like the produce from the Local Farmers, so I buy it when I get the chance. I like knowing that the food has been grown more locally, that it hasn't come from somewhere thousands of miles away.

Answer 11

Buy produce from your local farmers market. When talking to the people there, there might be some kind of legislation that needs multitudes of people to either support or protest. Ask around at the market.