Celebrate Our Freedoms And Our Farmers
By John Parker Celebrating July 4th is a great tradition in our country. We have much to be thankful for in so many ways. Certainly…
By John Parker
Celebrating July 4th is a great tradition in our country. We have much to be thankful for in so many ways. Certainly the freedom we enjoy is most important and July 4th should cause us to pause and remember those freedoms that we have.
At the same time one of the other things we should celebrate is the abundance of a healthful, safe food supply. Local farmers and growers are big contributors to that abundance.
Taking a broad look at this local area, we see a huge diversity in the kinds of crops and livestock that are produced. Dairy farming is still the main source of agricultural income in the area with a strong group of good dairy farmers who know how and take excellent care of their animals.
At the same time, crop farming continues to expand at a rapid rate. Corn and soybeans are the most popular crops. We are also an important hay producing area, even with the increased interest in crop farming. Combine the income from dairy farming with that from the major crops and we have the largest sources of agricultural income in this area.
But we need to look at the diversity that exists locally. Increased interest in the grape wine industry has brought about more acres of wine grapes and more fine wineries. This industry has a lot of popular interest and draws a good group of tourists to the area. In turn, these folks have money to spend on other things and are an excellent source of buyers for local grown or produced products.
With the increase interest in the grow local-buy local movement, we could have many more small fruit and vegetable farms getting in the business. These small farms can be a good source of income for land owners with a few acres and some labor and know how to get their fruits and vegetables planted, harvested and sold.
With the increase in farmers markets, there are more opportunities for growers to sell their products directly to the consumer. Some growers like to sell at roadside markets and that is good as far as it goes but it is a limited market. Locations where people come in larger numbers specifically to buy local products provide for increased marketing contacts.
At many farmers markets, growers or those who have local products to sell are present to have face to face contact with buyers. Folks that have started Terra Local in Geneva have a different approach. They will take products on a consignment basis and the producer does not have to be present, another marketing opportunity for producers.
As we think about the great agricultural diversity in this area, we also need to consider the challenges facing local farmers. Back around Memorial Day, fruit and grape growers were holding their breath when those sharp frosts came along for two or three nights. They tell me they did escape any real damage.
Corn and soybean growers had some time in early May to get crops planted. Then the northern part of the area had enough rain to float a boat and many had to replant, especially soybeans that couldnt make it through the crusted ground or picked up a disease.
Hay making has been difficult because rains didnt allow time for the crop to dry enough to bale. Some hay silage was made because it didnt need to dry as much as regular hay and farmers could dodge the rain drops.
So celebrate July 4th for both our freedoms and the abundance we enjoy.
Parker is an independent agricultural writer.
