One measure of the absurdity of the system: Every year you, the American taxpayer, send me a check for $588 in exchange for me not growing crops on timberland I own in Oregon (I forward the money to a charity). That’s right. The Agriculture Department pays a New York journalist not to grow crops in a forest in Oregon. (source)
And that's just the beginning. The fact is that the problems in the agricultural system are connected to the problems in the economy, health care, climate change, and energy. In that sense, a Christian stewardship mandate quickly arises. Part of the Noahic Covenant is God's placing the care of the earth in human hands. It's our responsibility to live in harmony with creation, and we are not doing a good job of that at the moment.
Feel like doing something? A small step would be to sign the petition asking President-Elect Obama to change USDA policy to "revitalize our rural economies, protecting our nation’s food supply and our environment, improving human health and well-being, rescuing the independent family farmer, and creating a sustainable renewable energy future" (source). North of the 49th Parallel take a look at the Slow Food Canada website.
Why does this issue resonate with me? Perhaps it has something to do with my childhood memories in Kansas. Once we ate mostly homegrown vegetables. Our chickens laid more eggs than we could handle, so my dad would give them away at work. I remember my mom taking me to a local dairy to refill glass containers straight from the farm. I never realized how progressive my parents were on food issues until now (though they probably didn't think of it that way).
I still have an agricultural connection: my dad and his wife have a farm in Hawai'i that grows Kona Coffee and a few cattle. They also have a guest house, in case any of you readers are looking for a vacation in a warm place! In that connection, I've learned how the small Kona Coffee growers have been fighting state labeling laws that allow Coffee to be sold as "Kona" Coffee even though it is mostly just a blend of real Kona Coffee with cheap stuff. It degrades the "brand" and cheats the farmers of the true value of their product. You can learn more about the issues the Kona Coffee farmers face here.
For those of you living in Toronto, consider buying shares in a local CSA Farm. CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) is a system where people buy "shares" in a local farm and get in-season fresh vegetables in return.
The consumer subscribes to a share of the year’s harvest (i.e. pays a flat fee up front) from a local farm in early spring, and in return, the shareholder receives a box of fresh produce weekly during the growing season. The share subscription provides the farmers with the capital to purchase seeds and farming supplies, and the shareholder gets an amazing supply of farm fresh produce weekly.
The size and variety of the shares depend on the farm you purchase from. Generally speaking, the farms offer at least a large and small size share. Some farms also offer a fruit box in addition to the veggie option. At Everdale Organic Farm, shareholders also have free access to the culinary herb garden, the flower garden for fresh cut flowers, and all the beans and peas you can pick when they are in season. (source)
This is a brilliant idea that benefits farmers, consumers, and the earth itself. Here is a list of some other Ontario CSA's that I know about. (If you want to nominate some others, just let me know.)
- Everdale Organic Farm - near Guelph
- Plan B Organic Farm - Cambridge
- rare Organic Farm
- Simpler Thyme Organic Farm - Hamilton
- Thurston Organic Farm - near Lindsay
- Whole Circle Farm - Acton
- Tree and Twig Heirloom Vegetable Farm - Wellandport
- Coopers Goat and Veggy Farm - Uxbridge
- Fairmeadow Farm - Port Stanley
There is also a searchable database that includes Farms, CSA's, Markets, Stores, and even Restaurants. With a minimum amount of effort it is possible to get healthy, cheap, local fresh food!
-t
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