Market Farming

["GlobalCirclenet" <webmaster AT globalcircle.net>]

I'll narrow my point a little. We should have our input at the local level
when local decisions can be made under the overall radar screen. But I have
yet to see any actual reports of small independents having any success
against giant corporate agribusiness and lobbies. It would help to keep in
mind that FB does not legislate agricultural or consumer policy, but is
only a small influence on the Big Picture. Our sphere of influence is
basically limited to the level of marketing that the big boys can't do much
to regulate or stamp out, the buying and selling of local produce to local
consumers who want it. I read that motorists in England have been arrested
for using vegetable oil in personal diesel vehicles, supposedly for
avoiding the gasoline tax. I don't know if the day will come when the Food
Police here beat down doors over remors that people are swapping veggies
over the back fence instead of buying from the chain stores, but the more
our local market farming expands the better I'll feel about it.

paul & barb - on the continental divide
http://globalcircle.net

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 10/10/2002 at 9:04 AM Tom Anslow wrote:

>Paul & Barb wrote:
>> And all that Farm Bureau stuff is beside the point when corporate
>> agribusinesses have their million$ filling campaign coffers and writing
>> legislation.  Join any FB you want, but politics is still about money.
>And
>> all that is still pointless debate for market farming. Market farming is
>> not commodity production for corporate middlemen. Can't we do without
all
>> the smoke and mirrors here?
>>
>> paul & barb - on the continental divide
>
>For those of you that agree with an earlier post (sorry I forgot who it
>was)
>regarding that change comes from within, I agree wholeheartedly.
>
>Why?  I am a county FB president, was elected president after one year as
a
>county board trustee,  was selected to participate this year on our state
>Policy Development Committee, AND, I/we are Market Farmers.
>
>Yes, agribusiness does have lots of money pushing for it's
>personal/business
>issues.  I do not agree with them, and voice my opinion whenever I can.
>There are others, as myself, who are at least trying to do something.
>
>Market farming is a business, as is agribusiness.  Both are involved in
the
>political arena.  That is where a great number of decisions are made that
>impact farming.  You can help the team (mf) more by playing on the field
>than cheering/jeering from the sidelines.
>
>I do feel this is proper place to discuss such matters.
>
>Tom Anslow
>Limerock Orchards and Roadside Market
>Catawab Island, Ohio
>
>
>
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