As spring beckons and plans for a new growing season get underway, it’s a good time to think about how fortunate we are to have working farms in our area. In the coming months, these farms will continue to supply us with fresh food via farmers’ markets, independent farmstands, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, and grocery stores that carry local food. That’s the good news.
The bad news scenario goes like this: what if those farms weren’t there for us? Or, as the American Farmland Trust (AFT) likes to remind us, “No Farms. No Food.”
Did you know that according to AFT, New York continues to lose a farm to development every 3.5 days? And that New York significantly lags other states, like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in preserving farmland? This is not good for the future of our food security or for New York’s economy.
One chance to take action on these and other matters is coming up. On March 13th, at the “No Farms No Food Rally” in Albany being organized by American Farmland Trust’s New York office (located right here in Saratoga Springs), New Yorkers have a chance to make their opinions known on the value of preserving local farmland, requesting that agriculture gets the support it needs to continue feeding us all.
According to AFT’s website, this rally, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will allow us to, “Unite with farmers, local foods advocates, community leaders and others who care about local farms and food at the State Capitol in Albany. Meet with state legislators and urge them to support funding and legislation to:
•Strengthen New York’s Farm & Food Economy
•Protect Farmland & the Environment
•Increase Access to Locally Grown Food”
Even if you cannot attend the rally, you can still review the materials online by American Farmland Trust and let your voice be heard. Tweet your political representatives, send an email, write a letter, make a phone call. And tell your friends.
American Farmland Trust has created this background document, from which you can learn more about the issues at stake.
Follow what’s going on here:
www.farmland.org/newyork
Facebook.com/americanfarmlandtrustny
Twitter #nofarmsnofood
