Both Farmer’s Markets and Farm Stands foster social interaction, and social cohesion. The customers and their children will benefit from these interactions. Local farmers can encourage their customers, regardless of the size of their propertry to cultivate (plants) or raise (animals) some of the food they consume. That has enormous environmental, mental and physical health benefits. Additionally when customers participate in the process of buying locally and directly communicating with the farmer the consumer is much more apt to be involved in the political process that attempts to over-regulate a productive member of their community.

Small unit agriculture is a stronger exapmple of good stewardship and sustainability than the monoculture, industrialized farms that now proliferate the agrigultural scene. Small farmers use more natural ways to prevent pests and diseases thus are more environmentally sensitive. The tilling practices are more sustainable and less susceptible to wind and water erosion. They consume fewer resources used, for example, in packaging and transportantion. They are more likely to recycle agricultural and household waste. Their use of heiloom varietals and adapting their products to satisfy consumer demand leads to greater biodiversity. Greater biodiversity leads to less risk for damage due to insects or disease. Much of their labor is provided by family members and or volunteers which is educational and character building. By saving money on packaging, transportation, labor, chemicals and specialized equipment they are able to be competitive at the necessary price points while earning a sustainable income. However, they can not be over regulated.

Educating customers about good stewardship is facilitated by the farmer’s efforts, via normal instructional conversations, more defined cooking/prpoaration information or classes. Others get more detailed and have back to farm days, allow volunteers to participate at periods of high labor demand, and holiday events of great imagination. However, the fundamental teaching aspect is to contrast home grown, sustainable agricultural processes with industrialized, resource depleting agricultural processes. To say nothing of the hidden costs of shipping edible products intercontinentally and at off-seasons.

Small unit Farmers enhance biodiversity. Seed patents often produce the intended product, but the the farmer is no longer able to save the seeds for susequent planting. A few vegetables are spayed with yet another chemical which retards natural sprouting.  What is the composition of those chemical retardants. Our food chain, which at the industrial level has become so mono-cultural that one mutant insect or plant disease, resistant to treatment,  could cause a collapse of the infected food chain.  We have recently seen an attempt to use bioweapons to destroy an aspect of American agriculture. (Source available on request) Small-unit farmers will use many varieties of the same vegetable, because it is adaptable to the microsoils and microclimate of his land and  because he has developed a following for the item or he has selected a niche market which he hopes will be profitable. This diversity of plant species is healthy for the soils, the plants, the consumer and the community.

The money spent at a Farmers Market stays in the community which is healthy for our community, county and region. The cities have exploited the hinterlands in every society. We do not need further restrictions on local farmers who make their decisions over the kitchen table. We do not have to succumb to the producers of our food who are in far distant urban towers making decisions on our lives at the table in a Board room.

Thank You, hank

Sorry about the formatting issue. Its correction is beyond my carrying capacity. h