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Agro-Renewal
Submitted by bobferris on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 8:00pm.
After living in rural Vermont for a couple of years and living in and among the very farmers who put food on our tables, I have come to appreciate how really important that connection is between farmer and eater. Food has become more of a celebration and an element of community. And it enriches on so many different levels. I wonder why we ever let that slip away from us. The warm handshake of a caloused hand cannot be substituted by sanitary gloves lit by artificial light. So here is my solution: Let's all institute a program of agro-renewal where we invite in agriculture wherever and whenever it fits and even in some places where it pushes our comfort level. Let's replant vacant lots and green our urban roof tops. Let's look for ways to raise compost-eating chickens in unlikely and delightful places. Wherever there is farmable space, let's do our level best to raise farmers there. And see if just thinking about these possibilities doesn't just make you feel a little more hopeful and purposeful. Let's hear it for agro-renewal! (2 votes) »
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Blueberries, Chinese farming
I keep trying to harvest my plot. I know the insects appreciate my attempts. I'm planning to put in blueberry bushes. They are native to Florida and easy to grow, I'm told. (I'll make an excellent test case on that theory.)
Last night on the Discovery Channel I watched Ted Koppel's special on the intertwined economies of the U.S. and China. The program went back and forth showing the burgeoning booming Chinese cities with growing wealthy and middle classes in contrast to the peasant farmers.
Koppel explained that China's goal is to get the rural population to move off of their small farm plots into the cities, then switch to large agri business farms with modern equipment.
I know I cannot fathom the issues in managing such a gigantic population, but I already feel sorry for relocated small farmers as they are bound to discover an emptiness to wake up and not look out at the land.
Save the family farm!
I couldn't agree with you more. I know that in my family, my mother loves to go to the local farm stands and talk to the owners. I think it is nice not only for the farmers, but for the customer to see where their food came from.