I know you are passionate about supporting local farms for so many reasons. Having a local food system made up of successful farms gives you access to healthy, high-quality food that allows you to live the life you want.
Local farms provide clean food for you and your family and diversity on the landscape that is so important for environmental stewardship.
Here in South Central Minnesota, we have some of the most productive land in the world. You would think we could grow anything under the sun and meet all of our food needs locally. Ironically, just two crops, corn and soybeans, dominate the landscape due to high land costs driven by the American food system.
The good news is that many farms in the area are finding ways to produce the food you use every day. Fruits, vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, herbs, mushrooms, maple syrup, honey…the list goes on! Your support is invaluable for building these types of farms in our area.
With that being said, read on to learn about 6 ways to support a local food economy right here in southern Minnesota.
6 Ways to Support Local Farms
1. Shop at farmers markets – Farmer’s markets are a great way to access the freshest and best tasting produce you will ever eat. They’re not just for foodies either. Everybody eats, and this is a great way to eat while supporting local farms. The Mankato and North Mankato farmers markets are popular markets in the area, and there are numerous markets in surrounding communities as well.
2. Use the Minnesota grown directory – The Minnesota grown directory will help you find local farms and farmers markets to connect with across the state. You can search by the type of product you’re looking for and also by location.
3. Sign up for a CSA – A CSA or Community Supported Agriculture allows you to get a share of what is produced on a farm each week and could include vegetables, fruits or flowers. Items included will depend on what’s in season at the farm so you know you’ll be getting the freshest food available.
4. Buy meat in bulk – One huge advantage of buying meat in bulk directly from a local farm is knowing you always have meat on hand. Not to mention the confidence you’ll have from knowing who produced the meat and being able to see the land it was raised on. Buying meat directly from a farm not only supports the farmer, but also local butchers who process the meat.
5. Visit u-pick farms – Strawberries, pumpkins, and sweet corn are some of our favorite u-pick items. U-pick farms are a great way to develop a connection with your food by visiting the farm and being able to walk in the fields. This can also be a great family experience. Last year, while picking strawberries with my family, a brief rainshower moved through and we all got poured on! We took shelter under some nearby trees for a minute, and then the kids ran out and just continued picking strawberries in the rain. We were soaking wet and laughing. The kids still talk about that day.
6. Spread the word – Here’s the final and, I think, most powerful way for you to support local farms. You’re already doing many of the things I listed above. When you have a great experience buying from a local farm, spread the word! Let your friends, family, and acquaintances know how valuable the local food experience can be. For those who aren’t already plugged in to accessing local food, it can seem cumbersome or feel like an added burden to work with local farms. Sharing your experiences can help them get over that hesitation to try something new and give them a place to start.
For the benefit of consumers, farmers, the community, and the environment, please help to support local food by sharing this post.