LUNCH WITH A LOCAL FARMER
This time of year, in this cold, farmers have a bit more time to talk. So, on this frigid past Saturday, I stopped by to visit and ended up having lunch with two farmers that I have known for years. There was talk of the snow and the cold. I learned that peach trees become vulnerable in the extreme cold and that this recent weather was “getting close” to that cold. Soon the conversation went to economic development and I found the pragmatic viewpoints helpful. They believe in local business, businessmen/women that are community–based, locally ingrained and community-connected. They believe that government economic development efforts will price out local business ventures in favor of corporate ones. The question came as to corporate thinking being at the root of our economic downturn. When too big does not yield unrealistic profit and growth, the whole system fails. “A false economy based on paper.” Not so with smaller, service-based corporations whose assets are not pushed around like chips at a poker table. I don’t know about all that, an economist I am not, but I hear their point.
Littleton used to be all local businesses, local pharmacists, auto dealers, grocers, purveyors of all sorts of service. Their numbers are dwindling. Local businesses simply looked at a sustainable service in the community with a favorable bottom line. The complexities of corporate thinking is certainly replacing Mom and Pop.
Inevitably, we discussed the future and viability of farming where I learned that the Massachusetts farmers (excluding dairy farmers) have some of the highest returns in dollars on the acre compared to farms across the nation. Why, I asked? Things have changed; farmers now understand the value of retailing their products locally. They understand their relationship with the local consumer. They understand the value of their product over mass-produced product shipped from far away. Then I was hit with another interesting statement: “If you’re a farmer in eastern Massachusetts who retails, you are probably making a good living.”
Yes, it’s still hard work, no BMW’s, private schools, mega-houses or decadence. No corporate maneuvering, no stocks being traded on their synthetic value. The CEO is easy to see, that being Mother Nature, and she is ever present. I was told that with a little help, farmers are alright; a patch of land, agricultural tax classification, a few grants to help meet federal and state mandates. I was told that “farmers don’t cost a community; they add to it.” No sewers have to be built, no roadways , power lines or water supply expansions. Farmers have only basic expectations of government and most of that is get out of the way.
I came away from it all with a renewed belief that we here in Littleton need to support our agricultural heritage. We need to help farmers (pardon the pun) take root. Farming is indeed viable if you look at it for what it is: smart economics with real benefits to the entire community. Farming can and probably should be part of our economic development strategy as should the support of small business and corporate ventures where permissible. It was a good lunch.
Littleton used to be all local businesses, local pharmacists, auto dealers, grocers, purveyors of all sorts of service. Their numbers are dwindling. Local businesses simply looked at a sustainable service in the community with a favorable bottom line. The complexities of corporate thinking is certainly replacing Mom and Pop.
Inevitably, we discussed the future and viability of farming where I learned that the Massachusetts farmers (excluding dairy farmers) have some of the highest returns in dollars on the acre compared to farms across the nation. Why, I asked? Things have changed; farmers now understand the value of retailing their products locally. They understand their relationship with the local consumer. They understand the value of their product over mass-produced product shipped from far away. Then I was hit with another interesting statement: “If you’re a farmer in eastern Massachusetts who retails, you are probably making a good living.”
Yes, it’s still hard work, no BMW’s, private schools, mega-houses or decadence. No corporate maneuvering, no stocks being traded on their synthetic value. The CEO is easy to see, that being Mother Nature, and she is ever present. I was told that with a little help, farmers are alright; a patch of land, agricultural tax classification, a few grants to help meet federal and state mandates. I was told that “farmers don’t cost a community; they add to it.” No sewers have to be built, no roadways , power lines or water supply expansions. Farmers have only basic expectations of government and most of that is get out of the way.
I came away from it all with a renewed belief that we here in Littleton need to support our agricultural heritage. We need to help farmers (pardon the pun) take root. Farming is indeed viable if you look at it for what it is: smart economics with real benefits to the entire community. Farming can and probably should be part of our economic development strategy as should the support of small business and corporate ventures where permissible. It was a good lunch.
posted by Alex McCurdy at
7:33 PM
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