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Brent Ayles

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Do you ever wonder how you can support the local agricultural industry?

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photo contributed

Local produce doesn’t have to go on the table it can act as décor too.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a benefit concert for agricultural farmers in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The concert raises money to support local growers of organic food, crops, and livestock. While there, I learned that since the early 70s, more than 300,000 small family farming operations have gone out of business.

On a more local front, during a recent conversation with a local area farmer and supplier of crops, I learned his statistics also indicate that since the early 70s, small farm operations have reduced from approximately 1,000 milk producers to 250 or less.

What is happening to our local producers and how can we help these people who were once the backbone of our community?

One of the organizers and promoter of Farm Aid, says the answer is very clear -- buy local! Support local Farmers. Support local business and mamma papa organizations. They are the heritage of our small town communities. As much as we can, we should be buying from local farmers and growers of agriculture crops.

Both the food we consume and also the plants we use in our landscapes should come from as close to home as possible.

We have several opportunities to support this in our area. We can buy local food at our area grocery stores, we can purchase locally-grown nursery stock for our landscapes, visit a local apple orchard, or even purchase locally-grown corn, eggs, or even milk. My interest is not to take away from our area stores, but to simply encourage and support locally-grown organic produce and products. We all seem to be afraid of the added costs. As the demand increases, more farmers will move to organic growing, as many of local farmers already do, we can only expect better quality and healthier food. Products that have not travelled miles adding high fuel and transportation costs will help our commitment to the environment.

We all have choices daily that can have a great impact. It would be a great thing if we all started supporting local farmers, local business and making use of supplies both inside and outside our homes.

Enjoy this fall season, drop by a local orchard, roadside stand, and even your local store in search of some great organically grown food and even décor for this fall season.

Naturally yours,

* The Natural Approach appears the first Saturday of each month and takes a look at lawn and gardening issues and environmental concerns. Brent Ayles, a certified horticultural technician, is vice president of Ayles Natural Landscaping Ltd., Riverview.