Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Laurie Ann Powell <laurie@powellclan.com>]

The article said:

<<You may say, of course, that locavorism is far too expensive to feed 
anyone who lives outside the privileged confines of Berkeley or 
Brookline: Who can afford $3 tomatoes and $12 loaves of bread? But in 
fact, the costs of the modern agriculture industry are far greater, and 
more insidious, than the costs of returning to a more localized model of 
farming would be.>>

I find it very surprising that this would be the expectation. I think it 
is only in places like Berkeley or Brookline that a local farmer would 
try to get away with $3 tomatoes (or need to, because of the cost of 
real estate).

My local dairy charges only $3.75 for a gallon of whole raw milk (a tiny 
bit cheaper than the grocery store puke), $2 pint for cream and a very 
reasonable price for cheese by the pound. The vegetable farmer I visit 
charges Wal-Mart prices or less for prime produce - and often gives me 
free stuff they have excess of. My rancher checks several local meat 
markets and prices his meat in the middle of the price spread.

Unfortunately, these farmers are all on a very thin profit margin, and 
are not making anywhere near what they are worth! However, their vision 
and mission is to educate, model sustainability, and to provide clean 
healthy food to those who care enough to make the trip. Their free 
advice on local conditions for my own farming attempts are invaluable, 
and has more than paid for the time and gas I spend getting there.

Another surprise to me has been that my shopping is now _quicker_ even 
though I make more stops. Dashing in and out of farm stands and small 
storefronts with simple products is much faster and less wearying than 
hiking the Wal-Mart parking lot, browsing long aisles of non-food, and 
comparing prices between multiple brands.

Just some thoughts. I do LOVE the term, however. Where's my bumper 
sticker? :)


Laurie Ann