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DEAR NEW FARM:
As the examples in the January 2007 newsletter showed, the
incredibly important issue of land remaining available for
farming is the basis of everything else that farmers (and
food consumers) do. Tackling this issue as individuals seems
pretty hopeless—we all need to figure ways to do this
as a community and yet not give up the independence of the
people who do the farming. How would we do this?
Becky French
Maryland
DEAR BECKY:
This is one of the many tough questions we all grapple with
as we struggle to build a better food system that supports
human health, our environment, our communities and our farmers.
That landowners such a Cliff Miller are willing to sit down
with young farmers and work out win-win situations such as
that illustrated by the Waterpenny
Farms story offers encouragement to us all. Likewise,
we must stand together with one voice and tell our elected
and appointed officials what matters to us when such farming
opportunities are threatened (see Fighting
for the future of family farm). The upcoming Farm Bill
offers each of us a chance to contact our representatives
in Washington and demand legislation that reflects our values
and supports our local family farmers. See www.sustainableagriculture.net.
NF
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