I am very concerned about the cumulative effects on our environment and economy from the dependence on using high levels of petroleum-based materials in the average farming operation today, though it may be getting better in this era of peak oil.  I am equally concerned about the impact that irrigation, soil erosion and agricultural run-off is having on our water resources globally.  The effects of the combination of these activities includes the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico, and depletion of ground water aquifers, lakes, rivers and streams world-wide, not just here in the USA.

As a result of all of this I have become a fan of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), grass-fed meat and poultry, organic farming and Integrated Pest Management.  I believe that it is imperative that food production become local, sustainable and right-sized, and the sooner the better!  In addition to producing healthy, fresh, GOOD food, it will strengthen our local economies and reconnect our communities.

We’re seeing more of this type of agriculture every year, and we will see more if we will change our buying habits to encourage the farmers that embrace these principles.