“You know back when I was growing up we lived on a farm and everything we ate grew and raised ourselves”
– My Grandfather
Unlike the 1000 acres farms, the farmers who grow produce don’t need as much space. We heard today that one of the bigger growers of produce in the state has about 20 acres of farm land. This small news gave me tremendous hope. There are more farmers out there who do care to set out for small acreage farms.
What is a little worrisome to me is, do these small farmers have the resources they need to make sure they are able to sustain; the environment, markets, and labor. One resource that smaller farmers have available to them is the organization, Practical Farmers of Iowa. They have two sectors in this organization; one that caters to the needs of those in commodity farming and another side that focuses on the needs for those in horticulture. The organization achieves balance by providing services to both types of agriculture, but the services, I feel are better fit for the small farmers of Iowa.
One issue that really struck me as having huge affects on small farmers was pesticide drift. Pesticide drift is just as it sounds, when herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, “drift” due to wind, rain, or other factors on to other crops. I was completely blown away at the fact that produce farmers don’t have many options for compensation if their crops are negatively affected because of the drift. One protection that could help these small farmers is adequate crop insurance. For big agriculture producers of commodity crops there are many federally funded insurance options to protect the value of their crop of something were to happen. Small farmers do not have these same protections. Out of the few options available to the small time farmers there is something called the, “Whole Farm Revenue Protection.” Even though this program seems like a great option for specialty farmers there are a few problems. This biggest problem is, “is this worth the time and record keeping?” For farmers one part of insurance is keeping record of their crops and the yields they produce every season. This becomes a problem because for some horticulture farmers they produce several types of crops. Once you get over five types of crops then record keeping can become overwhelming. Adding to the stress of record keeping farmers also have to constantly be working on marketing and getting their product to the consumer. This juggling act can prove to be too much for the small farmers.
Where can the small farmers catch a break? One solution for small farmers could be in shape of having their own central market for product. Luckily, for the commodity farmers they have the elevator. It’s a central place in towns all over Iowa where farmers can take product and sell it all out once. There is no special marketing tactics, finding shelf space in stores, or any other hoops that horticulture farmers find exclusive to themselves. I think it would be a good idea for Iowa to start looking for food companies that would be readily available to process the food that is grown here versus risking having to ship food so it doesn’t spoil before it gets to a consumer or a processing company. Another great option is for citizens to invest more into local markets for produce and meat. Smaller farms seem like they would thrive in local economies. Downsize the way Iowans and others around the globe think about food. The most successful way to end hunger could be to feed those around you.
Coming from a small town myself, I see so much value in small markets. Local gardens and small farms really bring life to a community. I have also learned to appreciate fresh food options and I value knowing exactly where my food comes from. I also live near and have family members that live in communities where grocery stores are becoming scarce and/or only cater to one type of customer. I just think about the what a local market would like in those communities and try to think about how they would help or hinder the citizens living there.
Who represents the small farmers? Who represents the big farmers? Is their equitable representation?
Who could have a bigger role in feeding the communities that go without fresh food options? How do we as a developed nation better contribute to ending hunger right in our back yard?
There should be call to shrink how we think. We need to start thinking small. Small Farm.