D & E Farms in Franklinville, N.J. (photo by Emily Roesly, courtesy of morgueFile.com)

The preservation of family-scale farms across the land is vital to achieving a healthier and more sustainable food sytem. Our friend Greg Plotkin of Change.org sent us the following message:

Every minute of every day, the country loses two acres of farmland to development. To make matters worse, the average age of a U.S. farmer is now 57 years old, signaling an even greater challenge than a lack of land to farm-namely, a lack of people to farm it. Ideas for Change winner American Farmland Trust (AFT) aims to keep food on our plates by securing the future of American farms. AFT is petitioning legislators to include farmland and ranch conservation in national and state farm policies.

Farmers Markets are Growing in Popularity

In 2009, the number of farmers markets in the U.S. increased by 13% from the prior year, a great illustration of just how many communities and consumers across the country are eagerly reaching out for fresh food and supporting their local farms. Farmers and consumers connected at 5,274 farmers markets this year, up from 4,685 in 2008.

Nearly a third of U.S. shoppers say they have specifically purchased locally produced food over the last month, double the number in 2006, according to food and grocery analysts IGD. Many do so to obtain the freshest produce, but a desire to support local jobs, farms and stores has also played an important role.

As Julia Child once said, “You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients.”

To learn more about the efforts of AFT and how you can support their efforts, go to: American Farmland Trust

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