Family Farm Values

Americans want to believe in the family farm; the danger, however, of our agricultural system being taken over by a few companies is real. In 1998, even the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), all too often on the side of large agribusiness firms, noted that many of the Department's own policies "perpetuated the structural bias toward greater concentration of assets and wealth in fewer and larger farms and fewer and larger agribusiness firms."

Large agribusinesses are concerned with maximizing profits and minimizing waste, this leads to loss of jobs, intense pesticide use or reliance on genetically-modified plant strains and less biodiversity as big firms grow only those crops that suit economic concerns. Instead of a farmer who is part of the community, agribusiness is run by managers and vice presidents who are loyal to the corporation, not the land and local community. A 2004 USDA census shows that the US is still losing farms as land is consolidated in larger operations.

Family farmers use the services of local businesses and hire residents to help on the farm. They produce a wider variety of crops, adding diversity to the market place. Proof can be found during your next trip to the local farmers market—when was the last time you saw gooseberries at the supermarket, or five different kinds of winter squash? Industrial farmers don't grow these items; they aren't "profitable." But they do profit our families. A wider variety of vegetables makes healthy food more appealing and biodiversity is essential to a healthy environment.

Happily, there is one way that we can each have a measurable impact on our agricultural system and benefit a local farmer to boot. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms are an ingenious solution to the current crisis. The farms sell subscriptions to the farm; members give the farmer money at the beginning of the season and in return receive a portion of the harvest. The farmer benefits from an influx of cash available to purchase equipment and seeds and is protected from catastrophic loss if there is a poor harvest.

The subscriber benefits in many ways. There is the promise of fresh local vegetables and fruits, the chance to discover delicious new ingredients, the knowledge that we are participating in the health of our community and access to a farm and farmer. Many CSA farms encourage their members to visit the farm with their families to learn about how food is grown, and many are able to grow food organically due to the financial support of their subscribers. CSA farms strengthen local communities and foster the health of our children and neighbors.