farmer john and the CSA

I just finished watching the movie "The Real Dirt on Farmer John".  It is a great story of a family farm in Wisconsin and the ups and downs of Farmer John's life as he tries to keep the farm his father and uncle built afloat.  

  As I watched as Farmer John had to sell his farm land and equipment to larger farming operations that were shipping their food elsewhere made me think, if America is only getting fatter, why are so many small family owned farms going under?  I'm not naive, I know we import produce from other countries, I know that using pesticides makes for easier more productive farming.  What I don't understand is why more Americans, and more specifically, middle Americans aren't fighting for their farms.  I lived in Wisconsin for nearly eight years.  I lived in a suburb that used to be a farm.  And I watched the waistlines expand and the farms die.

   CSA, or Community Sustained Agriculture helps community members become directly connected to the source of their foods through supporting their local farms.  Membership prices vary throughout, the concept is each person buys a share, this works as a loan for the farm and a way to guarantee there will be crops.  Once a week the share holder may go and pick up their produce.  There are many CSAs in Western Massachusetts, including one at Hampshire College, that runs during the school year and an organic meat CSA in Easthampton.  

  To find a CSA in your area check out www.foodandfarm.org

  And don't forget to rent  "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" (from your LOCAL INDEPENDENT video store!!!)

cheers,

nyks