I consider myself lucky in many ways, but one of the luckiest is the fact I'm surrounded by organic farmers. One of my best buds is an organic farmer, and he grows certified organic veggies and raises organic poultry, beef and pork. The best part about the area where I live is the co-op features a lot of locally grown organic items. They stock commercial things but when they can, they buy local which allows the customers to buy local as well. That effort is completely supporting of the community, in both the buying and the selling, and the benefits are twofold.
Every organic grower is always looking for a market to peddle their goods. The first stop for many are the local co-ops. It is an easy way to get their products out there fast and an easy for the consumers to find out exactly what is being grown in their area. Supporting these local growers at the grass roots level is the best way to encourage more people to be involved, both buying and selling.
My buddy said when he first got started in the organic farming business, the local co-op was a lifesaver for him. He was able to get his very fresh products to the market which provided him with instant cash he so desperately needed. Consumers know a good thing when they see it, and quickly bought his locally grown organic goods. The result: his farm has boomed! He now has several national accounts for his goods and the farm is doing very well financially. But it all began at the co-op because the people supported him by buying his products. He has never forgotten that.
That’s the message in this: support your local growers in whatever organic endeavor they pursue. Even specifically looking for just one product, like tomatoes or squash, beans or corn, anything locally grown, make it a point to purchase what you can and support the person who worked hard and got that item to market.
Organics in this country are growing in leaps and bounds, and it is because of our demand. We are turning away from chemicals and pesticides, turning away from corporations more interested in the money than the quality and turning back to the farmers who grow organic and are proud to be doing so. Those farmers believe in what they are doing for the good of us all. I’ll continue to purchase locally whenever I can. Not only do I love anything organic that I can put into my body, I love supporting the farmers and growers out there who give me this choice. It’s just another small way to being green.
Source: BecauseAction.com
