WHY GROW YOUR OWN?

 

Maybe you can join me in the adventure of learning to grow your own food and to stop relying on large food conglomerates to feed you and your family.  Even if you start with a window box, at least you have started to make a change.

There is a certain pleasure in growing your own food. Seeing your efforts come to fruition and then using those foods you've grown nourish your body brings great satisfaction.

 

REASONS FOR GROWING YOUR OWN:

  1. No pesticides, herbicides or chemicals needed.
  2. Planting heirloom or heritage seeds ensures a greater variety of plant species.
  3. Using homemade compost in your garden prevents organic matter from taking up space in landfills.
  4. This food is natural and usually higher in macro and micro nutrients than food shipped over long distances.
  5. It’s good for the environment.
  6. No packaging needed.
  7. Zero food miles.
  8. Provides an environment for beneficial insects.
  9. Self-sufficiency.
  10. It’s made in the USA.
  11. Fuel from sunlight is free.
  12. It tastes better.
  13. It’s fun!

I encourage you to become less dependent on industrial foods and make some changes that will bring you, your family, community and the earth many benefits.  Support local small scale businesses and producers of quality meat, fish, fruits and veggies.  Support your local farmers’ markets and other local food initiatives and deal directly with farmers and growers and last but not least learn to grow your own.

Click here to learn more: "Pesticide Residues in Produce Sold in Connecticut 2006"

 

A Few Words About the Supermarket

The last time you were at the supermarket, did you notice where your food came from?  In the produce section the fruits and vegetables are labeled with their country or state of origin.  All too often our produce has been shipped thousands of miles.  Vegetables and fruit have their highest nutrient content just after picking, so you can almost bet that supermarket produce has lost much of its flavor and nutrients.  I’ve noticed that the large “whole foods” or “organic foods” supermarkets actually have their organic produce right next to their conventional produce.  The consumer has to pay careful attention to the labels and signage in order to discriminate between organic and conventional produce.  You cannot assume that just because you are shopping in an “organic or whole foods market” that you are actually purchasing organic produce.  Often conventionally grown produce is sold there too.

A Few Words About Farming

We have become too dependent on large scale food producers to grow and raise our food and to the supermarket giants that supply those foods.  Other people decide what we will eat and tell our farmers how they should produce it.  The consumer has limited choices for organic varieties as well because much of the organic produce in supermarkets come from large industrial organic farms.  It is easier for larger farms to grow and harvest one species (aka monoculture) of plant than for a farm to grow many varieties of the same species and many species of plants (polyculture).  Therefore, to cut down on costs and labor, larger conventional and organic farms grow few varieties of plants. With conventional produce, the farmer is given instructions from the local agricultural extension service, chemical pesticide companies and local universities on how much each crop needs to be sprayed with pesticides and herbicides and a schedule for chemical fertilizer applications.  (Yes, there actually is a chart detailing the exact measurements of chemicals recommended for each crop.)

There is an art to the old fashioned way of farming because the farmer has to pay close attention to soil, soil nutrients, pests, and needs to be mindful of crop yields and rotations, companion planting, viable cover crops and planting and harvesting schedules.  I would also argue that because chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not available to the farmer who uses organic or naturally grown methods, the organic farmer requires a deeper knowledge of the natural world even more so than the conventional farmer.  The organic farmer really has to be aware of pests and soil nutrient deficiencies and cannot just spray synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides and then call it a day.   The small organic farm is a more hands on operation.