After reading a couple posts at the Google Group, Delaware Action Group, consider this thought on "Getting Involved to Move Agriculture Forward in Delaware County."
It's obvious (and wonderful) that people are committed to buying more products directly from their local farmers. Purchasing half a cow or pig at a time is a boon for producers, even better if you arrange (and pay for) the sale at the beginning of the animal-raising cycle. Dedicating 20, 30 even 50% of your grocery basket food choices to local food first goes a long way to keeping family farms alive, too. Each dollar we spend with our local farmer continues to circulate through our local businesses 3-7 more times. It's called the Multiplier Effect, and farming is by far the best way of building strong local economies.
But individuals can only do so much.
What we need are pro-agriculture people in key policy-making positions. For starters, we need "Voices for Agriculture" involved with local government and regional agencies that are making decisions about food purchasing, business development and public policy.
Take a look at this list below. If you support the concepts of
- local food,
- vibrant communities,
- strong regional economies,
- common-sense food safety and
- social justice issues relating to access to clean water and fresh food,
then become involved in one of these public arenas below. Volunteer to spearhead a food-based initiative, become a board member, engage these groups through education or vote in people willing to represent clean water and fresh food interests. Give agriculture the voice it deserves and the legs to accomplish what needs to be done.
Getting Involved to Move Agriculture Forward in Delaware County starts with:
- Your
- town council
- town planning board
- school board
- Delaware County
- Board of Supervisors
- Farmland Protection
- Industrial Development Association
- Economic Development
- Planning Department
- Nonprofit agencies and agricultural advocates like
As we move forward with creating a Farmland Protection Plan for the Town of Meredith, I hope you will bring your thoughts and ideas forward and help apply them to our community. We might not be able to change the world, but we can certainly make a difference right here in Meredith by giving Agriculture the attention, the respect and the voice it deserves.
On April 6th, the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship co-hosts "3rd Rural Issues: Agriculture IS Economic Development." The forum, spearheaded by the Central New York Agricultural Council, is an all-day workshop featuring insights from Department of Ag & Markets Commissioner Dennis Aubertine, Meredith resident beef farmer Ken Jaffe of Slope Farms and the Town of Meredith's farmland protection planning consultant Nan Stolzenburg of Community Planning & Environmental Associates.
