What Would We Do Without Farms?

  I'm a huge fan of American Farmland Trust's slogan 'No Farms No Food.'  It's a simple message that should make us all stop and think about this: If we continue to lose our farms, where will our food come from? Make no mistake about it, the family farm is disappearing; right before our eyes.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the number of farms in the United States has fallen from about 6.8 million in 1935 to only about 2 million today, with the majority of food now being produced by large agribusinesses. Family farms play a vital role in community economics. When family farms are lost, economic, environmental, and social harm is often the result. In rural communities, fewer farmers can lead to farmland consolidation, increased urban development, community decline and stagnant economies.  Family farms are also the largest producers of fresh, locally produced food that is grown in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. A continued loss of family farms and ranches can lead to a decrease in the availability of fresh, local food, often resulting in growing food insecurity, particularly in smaller communities.  An aging farm population and the reluctance of young people to take up the challenging profession of farming (though this is slowly changing) also contribute to the precariousness of the situation. This season, why not help us support family farmers and ranchers with a gift to HMI.  Your gift will allow us to continue training family farmers and ranchers in regenerative agriculture techniques that will allow them to sustain their soil, their land, their business, and their community.