I recently attended a seminar at a local college that in very into the green movement. Saint Mary of the Woods College is very forethinking and was going green way before it was cool to do so. This was a group of farmers - mostly female to listen to a woman from Michigan telling how to extend the growing season, set up CSA, basically how she made her life work for her. The question came up regarding "organic" v/s "local". Organic is a term that is not so important anymore. People who farm sustainably rarely use chemical or practices that are bad for the earth. However local was another hot topic all together. There were approximately 20 people there and I bet they got 20 different answers to what "local" really means.
To me, it means knowing where my food comes from. I do not want my food to have visited more states than I have. I don't want it trucked or flown in to my area. If it is, I know that chemicals had to be used to perserve it and that it was not picked at it's peak of freshness. Local to me is knowing the farmer who grew my food. Being able to go to that farm and see the food being grown. Know that my farmer has an actual "farmers' tan" and got it the right way. I want to see the chickens who laid my eggs and gave the wonderful component to the compost pile.
I know when I go to these farms that I will see a mess at times. I will catch the farmer not looking picture ready. She will be sweaty, red faced and maybe just a little grumpy from the weight of the farm on her shoulders, but inside she will be happy and content. Doing what she loves and making a difference in her own little way.
As you can see, local means just that to me. Go one, I dare you to find a local farmers market and meet your farmer. She just might become a part of your family. More work to do...
See ya on the farm
Charlotte
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