How Can We Support our Local Farmers?

Question

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

Answer 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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.

Answer 9

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 10

Go there and buy their food directly

This  is the most effective way

by cutting out the middle man the farmer gains the most ,

and you can check their methods and give them incentive to do the right things

Answer 11

Buy fruits and vegetables at local markets and encourage your friends to do the same.

Avoid grocery chains.

Answer 12

There isn't much you can do.  The small farmer has gone the way of the shoemaker.  We live in a rich country.  Our food is cheap.  To make a living producing it you must produce it in great quantities.  In 1790, when the country was young, 9 out of 10 people were farmers.  Now less than 1 out of 20 are farmers.  You act as if losing small farms is a bad thing.  It isn't.  We don't need them.  They need to contribute in other ways.

Answer 13

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 14

buy from them and not south america or other cheaper places i live right next to tropicana so i buy tropicana not something imported in i understand that tropicana falls into the big farm or corporation but its about the meaning, also i remember everyone to take a weekend off and drive out to a small farm and buy from them and talk to them, where i live there is small farms that have "you pick you buy" so i go out there and pick my own from time to time just for the experience. its like hitting two birds with one stone, its great excerise and good for the whole family and you get to see where ARE food comes from and meet the people that bring food to your tables

Answer 15

I support my small farmer, go out buy their veggies, apples, oranges, raw wheat direct from them.

Answer 16

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.