Disclosure: I was invited to Moss Mountain Farm for the #farm2home2016 event to learn more about the local farmers and the local food market in Arkansas. My invitation included a full day of activities and lunch on the farm. All thoughts and opinions included here are my own.
This week, I had the incredible experience of attending Farm 2 Home 2016 at the gorgeous Moss Mountain Farm, which is the Arkansas home and property of P. Allen Smith. I had such a big time that I split my thoughts and pictures into two posts. This post focuses on the information I learned about buying local and supporting local farmers. The other post is about the fabulous P. Allen Smith house itself.
Supporting Local Farmers
To clarify, I don’t just mean farmers. I mean anyone who grows or creates – whether it be squash, honey, or handmade soaps. Local crafters are a dying breed, and they need all the support they can get from their fellow residents.
During the course of our day at Moss Mountain Farm, we participated in two panel discussions. On both panels were local farmers and business owners. The discussion from the local farmers was quite interesting.
Below is a group of farmers featured in the second panel of the day.
First, a former Army Ranger who transitioned from the military world to the farming world with no prior farming experience, Damon Helton, of The Farm at Barefoot Bend, said, “After you serve in the military, you really feel like you have sweat equity in this country.”
From left to right: Damon Helton (The Farm at Barefoot Bend), Ben Maddox (Foodshed Farms), Cody Hopkins (Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative), and Bob Barnhill (Barnhill Orchards)
Did you know?
- The average age of a farmer in the United States is 60-years-old or older. This is because the last couple of generations had a decrease in farming interest. Many farmers are either born into a farming family or married into one (which means Helton is an exception in the farming world).
- Farming is an expensive operation and many younger people do not often have the finances to purchase equipment. Some pieces of equipment cost around 1/4 of a million dollars. Raising animals is very expensive. Some farmers in rural areas lack a network of fellow farmers to rely upon for financial or training support which can lead to a lonely and difficult journey.
- Most vegetables and fruits can be grown organically. The main consumers of organic goods are moms looking to provide healthy meals for their children.
- Although prices of local produce and meats may seem higher than what you would pay at a supermarket, the quality of the product tends to be better. For instance, although the cost of a pound of ground beef may be higher, the meat is less likely to shrink when you start cooking it – therefore giving you more meat for your money than with many store bought products.
- In the past few years, there has been a renewed interest in incorporating fresh produce and local meats into daily meals. For 1-2 generations, the focus shifted from farmed goods to fast and cheap foods of convenience. Lately, the focus seems to be circling back around to fresh and healthy foods.
- No doubt, the East Coast and the West Coast had a high demand for local and organic goods for a while now. The southern states, such as Arkansas, have only seen an interest for local, organic products in recent years. However, the interest is growing at a steady pace now.
- The farmers want to connect on a personal level with their community. They put labor and passion into their products and their land. But they also want some social interaction with their fellow clients and neighbors. They want to talk to the locals at the farmers’ markets.
Luckily, the Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative is in place to help local farmers address some of the typical barriers highlighted above. The cooperative helps with providing some cash-flow on the front end of large purchases, connecting farmers to markets, and ensuring the integrity of the farm products.
Fortunately, these farmers seem optimistic that the current generation of “conscious consumers” is more aware of the benefits of buying local and eating healthy foods. They say older consumers are now swayed by the nostalgia of fresh produce on the table.
How Can You Support Your Local Farmers and Makers?
- Shop your local farmers’ markets. And while you are there, strike up conversation and get to know these hardworking farmers.
- At your local supermarkets, shop the “local” sections that are posted in the produce or meat sections. At our local Walmart and Kroger, there are sections dedicated to the local farmers of Arkansas and neighboring states. For instance, in Arkansas, we should look for the “Arkansas Grown” label on locally grown produce and products.
- When dining at restaurants, question the wait staff and managers as to what offerings on their menu come from local sources. If the restaurant doesn’t currently serve items from local vendors, a noted interest from diners might move the restaurant in that direction.
- Challenge yourself and your family to eat in a more adventurous fashion – perhaps trying radishes or beets for the first time.
- Take your family to visit “open farm days” at farms around your area. These days are perfect for letting your children see firsthand where the food they eat comes from.
Truly, it was a delightful experience to personally meet many of the local farmers and makers at our Farm 2 Home event. There was such a variety of products offered and talents showcased. In all, I met coffee farmers, soap makers, flower and herb growers, wine and beer makers, and wood workers. Also, I met bread bakers, cattle farmers, artisan cheese makers, produce farmers, and gourmet chocolate crafters. Seriously, these people had stories to tell. Some are third-generation crafters or farmers carrying on their family values and visions. Others quit white-collar professions to start up a company with fair-trade initiative. Finally, some just simply decided to try something new.
No doubt, there were so many wonderful vendors at this event that I can’t possibly list them all here. But they are all worth learning more about! Luckily, to keep up with the local farmers and products of Arkansas, follow Arkansas Grown on Facebook. If you are in another state, your state likely has something in place to help identify your local farmers. Look it up and help support your community!
Also, check out my Allen Smith Home post which focuses on the tour of the P. Allen Smith house and property. Also, be sure to check out another growers’ event that we enjoy here in Arkansas – Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival!
Well, do you have a favorite local farm or farmers’ market that you frequent?
Courtney
I definitely need to visit more Farmers Markets. We have a great one in Dallas that I need to get better acquainted with. My students and I had a vertical tower garden this year and we were able to grow food for a salad. I’ve definitely learned about all of the hard work farmers put in. Bless them.
Courtney | thirty30courtney.com
The Gifted Gabber
Wow! What a cool project for your students, Courtney! It’s definitely important that the younger generation learns about the hard work that is involved in growing produce and plants!
Bree Hogan
Every weekend my hubby and I do our weekly fruit n vege shop at the local farmers market. The food is so fresh and such a great price. We wouldn’t shop anywhere else.
The Gifted Gabber
It’s great that you are such loyal customers! I’m sure the farmers there really appreciate you, Bree!
Sofia
Love how you not only tell us to support local farmers but HOW 🙂 Great article.
The Gifted Gabber
Thanks so much, Sofia! I’m glad you got something out of the post!
Christine - Jar Of Lemons
I love going to the local farmer’s market and supporting them! The one in our town is really really small, but I love it!
The Gifted Gabber
Christine, I will be honest – I haven’t always been the most loyal customer of our local farmer’s market, but my eyes have been opened. I will be much more consistent with my visits now! 🙂 I’m sure your small farmer’s market appreciates you all the more!
Yuliya Oleynykova
I’m so grateful for farmers. In the world of plastic food, I really appreciate farmers who spend lots of time and investments to grow tasty and chemicals free food. Love it!
The Gifted Gabber
Yuliya, yes! Isn’t it amazing that people are laboring out there to still give us fresh and healthy when so much of the world focuses on convenience only?
Hannah
Great piece. It’s just as important to support local farmers in the UK too and we always try to visit food markets as a result!
The Gifted Gabber
Cool, Hannah! I have yet to visit the UK. But in the countries I have visited, the farmers seemed to have big support from the locals.
Morgan Shupe
Supporting small scale farming is amazing and it is great to see you spreading the good word!
The Gifted Gabber
Thanks for reading, Morgan!
Nellwyn
I grew up in a small farming community and one of the things I miss most about home since I moved to the city is buying my fruits and veggies straight from the farm!
Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com
The Gifted Gabber
Nellwyn, I bet you do miss that!
Tonee
Great post! I love going to the Farmers Market!
Tonee
https://infoellablog.wordpress.com
The Gifted Gabber
Thanks so much for popping over for a read, Tonee! 🙂
In The Lyons Den
This is a great article and such a worthwhile thing to get out there. We are in Australia and I also think that farming is dwindling as like you said it is expensive to get into and many of the younger generation are leaving the country. We thoroughly support our local people rather than buy fruit and vegetables from the big supermarkets who like you I agree the quality is not the same and I am happy to pay a little bit more for quality and support.
The Gifted Gabber
It’s interesting to hear how things are going in other countries. Thanks for commenting!
Emilee
My college actually has a farmers market once a week on campus. They sell homemade bread, jelly and other food made from locally grown produce as well as crafts. Every student I know loves it!
The Gifted Gabber
Wow, Emilee! What a great idea to sell on a campus! Win-win for everyone!
soniya Saluja
I love fresh produce and it absolutely tastes better. Plus is cheaper, what better reason could you need?! Great post.
The Gifted Gabber
Soniya, right?! Thanks so much for coming by!
Jennifer
I love going to my local Farmers Market, Thanks for this wonderful, and helpful post!
The Gifted Gabber
Jennifer, I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Jessica McDonald
I knew it was important to support local farmers, but didn’t know exactly why! This post was super informative!
The Gifted Gabber
Jessica, it makes me so happy that you found some new information from my post! 🙂
Kasee Erickson
This is so important! I’m a huge supporter of local creators 🙂
The Gifted Gabber
Kasee, yes! You know, I’ve been on a mission for years to fill my house with handmade things from local creators, but I wasn’t making it a priority to fill my body with locally-created foods. Thanks for stopping by!
Alexis Bledel
A lot I did not know. Great photos!
The Gifted Gabber
Thank you, Alexis! So glad you were able to pick up a few pieces of info here!
Akialah
I lovee Farmers Markets but I will be honest I haven’t been in a while. This post is my motivation to go again & more often!
The Gifted Gabber
Yay! Happy shopping, Akialah!
Sonya
Hey Amy, I had a ball spending the day with you at the Farm 2 Home event.
My favorite farm is Wholly Cow farm, which is where I buy 100% grass-fed beef. I also look forward to purchasing watermelons from Hardin Farm each summer.
The Gifted Gabber
Sonya, I had so much fun with you, too! It’s nice to now put faces to these local brands, huh?!