Can you ‘dig’ it?

A look into the world of sustainable agriculture models and methods

 The people in my area work to farm. Although a seemingly hypocritical statement, the rural area in which I live is speckled with still operating family farms that vary from back yard gardens to full-fledged cattle ranches, orchards and greenhouses. In 2000, Mineral County’s 327.7 square miles there are 1,061 operating farms on record (Citymelt). But most of the residents that participate in this agricultural way of life also maintain jobs outside of the farm and home, quite simply, working to earn wages so that they can manage and maintain their farms.

We have a spread of Farmers Markets and “pick-‘em-yourself orchards”, and access to locally grown food in the growing months is more cost efficient (not to mention tastier) than what we’ll find at the local Wal*Mart. The Mineral County Technical center offers courses in Greenhouse Technology and runs a student maintained greenhouse, open to the public. There are churches that have provided our elderly shut-ins with container plants and there are ‘Master Gardener’ programs in place for those that want to continue their learning of the natural world in a more structured manner.

It sure sounds like there is a lot going on. But in the world of social entrepreneurship, new ideas and innovations are always being brought to the table. The question has arisen of how to make these farming practices more than just a hobby for the residents of Mineral County. How can farmers make enough to live on from their farms, how can we get more community involvement so that those in low income situations have access to cheap and nutritious food? How do we get our children learning so when they grow up there are situation in place for them to take advantage of agriculturally? How can the system be changed so that people can farm for work, rather than working to farm?