Dear Editor,
Having moved to Foothills County in the past year, I have become aware of how many small family farms are out here busting their butts, growing some of the best food in the world right in our own backyards. At the same time there are several issues:
• High food prices — While many factors have contributed to this, suffice it to say that the increased profits are not going to the family farms that are growing the food. If anything, they are struggling more now due to increased costs for feed, fuel, fertilizer, etc.
• The consolidation of family farms – According to StatsCan, the number of farms has decreased by more than 20 per cent as small farms are being absorbed by larger operations. Often these large farming businesses have fewer connections to local communities, use up resources like water, and negatively impact communities through increased traffic, dust, odours, etc.
• Increased focus around where our food comes from and how it’s grown, including concerns about chemical use and animal welfare.
Some people point to the meat packing plant and the feedlot and tout how they contribute to agriculture in our community. However, these large “factory farming” operations are not locally-owned (but nevertheless end up with the largest profits from the sale of beef). In the case of the feedlot in particular, many people would say that it has negatively impacted the communities in the area.
So what I would like to propose is that we start throwing more support behind our local family farms. Farmers markets are a start, but they are only open during the summer. Many farms also sell their products direct to the consumer, and there are a number of small shops that carry locally-grown meat and produce year-round. A couple of posts in my local Facebook groups have resulted in many recommendations.
How do we benefit? The fact that the product is far superior goes without saying – when you buy from a family farm, they are putting their own name and reputation behind their product and you can be sure they are invested in ensuring that it is the best.
Further, a family farm will be able to tell you how they grow the food. If you have specific concerns around chemicals, antibiotics, animal welfare, etc., you will be able to find someone who caters to your needs.
More intangible but I think equally important, I have fallen in love with the unique character of this area, which has been largely shaped by a tradition of farming. Supporting family farms ensures that this unique character will be maintained and developed.
Farming families are intimately connected to the community. Their children attend school here, they volunteer and engage in recreational activities here, their friends are here and they patronize other businesses here, thereby supporting the local economy.
Finally, when I buy from a family farm, I know there is a real person that does a little happy dance. More than anything, that makes me happy too
Jolanda Slagmolen
Foothills County
