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Blueberry Bonanza/Local
Foods Public Meeting a Great Success! Read about it! |
 The survival of Alabama's small family farms is being threatened by agribusiness and development. We feel that it is important for our small family farms to thrive because:
- Locally grown food gives us as consumers healthy choices. Getting to know the farmers that raise our food gives us the power to choose meats and dairy products that are grass-fed and free from hormones and antibiotics, as well as vegetables that have been grown with a minimum of chemicals.
- Small farmers are better keepers of our environment. The farmer's commitment to long-term soil fertility is not as likely to be found on large farms owned by absentee investors. On local farms, livestock is usually free to roam, and their manure replenishes the pastures naturally. These farmers understand that crowding thousands of animals in a confined area creates big cesspits of manure, which often contain the waste equal to that of a small city. Also, the small farm is usually filled with biodiversity from the varied and rotated crops...to orchards...to the many species of livestock. Often nearby woods, fishponds, and open fields also contribute to this diverse environment.
- Small farms are better for community economies. Large scale, industrial hog operations destroy more jobs than they create, since mechanization makes it possible for fewer people to produce more. Large corporations often use out-of-state companies for services and supplies, rather than utilizing the local businesses. Small family farmers spend their money in the community. The profits of large agribusiness operations, also often leave the communities.
- Family farmers are your neighbors, friends, and family; and most are invested in the community. Local farmers feel a sense of responsibility to their communities and the environment. While local managers are often good people, they must make decisions based on profit, rather than community.
Because we feel that Alabama's small family farms are better for Alabama, the Alabama Building Environmental Communities program is twofold. First, we're working to keep hog factory farms out of Alabama, and to hold hog factory farms already located here responsible for their actions. Second, we're conducting a public education campaign to bring more consumer respect and support to small family farmers. We are asking consumers to vote for small family farms by spending food dollars with local farmers.
Get to know the person who grows your food. Vote for small family farms by spending your food dollars with local farmers. Ask your favorite local restaurants to serve locally grown food. If you live in Alabama and would like to work with us, email us at peggie.griffin@sierraclub.org, or click on the gray box below and we'll get in touch with you.
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Photo: Families and farmers alike enjoyed a recent Sierra Club Farm Day in Alabama.
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