Save the farm

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

Over 250,000 small-medium American farms went away from 1992-2012, while 35,000 very large (industrial) farms started up. "“Multigenerational family farms are shrinking. And big farms are getting bigger . . . For the resiliency of the food system and of rural communities, we need more agriculture of the middle.”

photo: beginningfarmers.org

Polyface Farm is multi-generational: Joel Salatin's mother, Joel & Theresa, his son and wife, and his grandchildren. Part of their mission is to help smaller farmers figure out a way to profit enough to support themselves.

When Joel inherits the farm from his mom, he'll face a shocking inheritance tax - as much as $500,000. Beginning farmers have land to buy or lease. If they choose the "industrial farm" model, they may be trapped in a vicious cycle of debt for buildings, seed, and chemicals.

Shop at a farmers market to support small and medium size farms. Farmers there can sell directly to customers, side-stepping the chain of middlemen and improving their chances to keep on doing what they love.