Farmers.....

We city dwellers rarely take the time to think about where our food comes from.  And the majority of us, if we think about it, agree that factory farming isn't a good thing, but we still don't really change much about how we select our food in the grocery store.

Guilty as charged.

We still buy milk (hormone free, but I'm pretty sure the cows aren't running loose) and we aren't looking to become vegetarians anytime soon.

But...

We faithfully go to our local farmers' market, almost every week. An increasing percentage of our grocery money is going directly to the people who grow our food locally.  I'm willing to buy smaller apples, odd-shaped carrots (we saw some the other day that were of 'inconceivable' size, making my friend and I giggle and inappropriately reference adult movies), and food I've never heard of (Dragon Beans, anyone?) to improve our health and decrease our carbon footprint somewhat.  I've had my own little veggie patch long enough to truly appreciate the work that goes into growing cabbages that defy the "Never eat anything larger than your own head" rule.

Generally speaking, this is better for Babygirl. Food that is grown in a local organic farm is far less likely to be contaminated with some deadly bacteria like E. coli or salmonella.

We owe our very being to people who are willing to live close to the land.  But it is hard for smaller local farmers to compete with the big factory farms.  This is where Community Supported Agriculture comes in.  The idea is this:  You join a CSA group, and pay a set amount either weekly or up front for a box of fresh produce, weekly or biweekly, that you can pick up at your farmers' market (or in our case, my place of employment if I'd prefer).  The farmers are guaranteed a certain income up front. You might get 2 small heads of brocolli instead of one big one, but you'd still get your brocolli (or whatever is in season).

Here's a link to a site that will help you find one: Local Harvest

I haven't done a farm share yet.  I like going to the market, and we spend as much there as we would on the farm share, but either way is a great way to show your local farmers that you are grateful for what they do.

DeeDee