5 Ways to Support Your Local Farmers

freefoto.com

Supporting your local farms, orchards, and ranches isn’t necessarily inexpensive, but is very important.  A portion of the extra $20-$30 you put aside each month can go towards supporting your local agriculture.  You don’t have to involve yourself in everything if you can’t afford it.  Even a little bit of support goes a long way.  Not only are you supporting your local agriculture, but you are benefiting from great tasting, fresh food that you know where it came from.

1. Farmers Markets

freefoto.com

Farmers Markets are offered in the fall.  Homegrown produce tastes better than store bought by a long shot.  Farmers markets are generally reasonably priced, and often, the food is organic.  Venture out and see which venues you like best. 

2. CSA - Community Supported Agriculture

The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is another way to support local farmers. In a CSA you can purchase a full share or half share in exchange for produce, and even sometimes meat, milk, cheese, eggs, and plants, depending on the individual farms/gardens.  Some places even have reduced prices if you volunteer to work in their gardens/fields.  Utah has its own website of statewide CSAs available at CSAutah.org.  It was easy to find, so searching for a CSA in your state should be fairly easy.

3. Bountiful Baskets

Bountiful Baskets is a co-op that supports national agriculture.  Bountiful Baskets is a community co-op that runs strictly of volunteers.  The produce comes from different farmers in different states, including Arizona, Colorado, California, Idaho, Texas, Utah, and Washington. 17 states currently offer Bountiful Baskets within their communities.  More information about Bountiful Baskets can be found at BountifulBaskets.org/.

4. Local Farms, Ranches, Orchards, and Co-op

Family farms don’t stop at vegetables and plants.  Many also offer honey, eggs, bread, grain, jam/jelly, syrup, nuts, berries, and fruit from the orchard.  Local ranchers offer grass fed animals; processed and unprocessed.  Last year, about half of my grain supply came from a local farmer that put together a co-op.  LocalHarvest.org is a great website for information and nationwide locations to your nearest CSA, farmers’ markets, Co-ops, family farms, and ranches. 

5. Buy Produce That Comes From Your State

In Utah, produce, dairy, and other products sold in grocery stores that come from local agriculture are labeled as “Utah’s Own”.  I don’t know how many states have a similar set up, but recognize where your food is coming from.  Try to support your state agriculture as much as possible by purchasing food that is state grown.