(Picture "borrowed" from Nancy Kasper)Most organic farming is done at a small scale level of 1-10 acres. Larger organic farms are the exception. Elizabeth sees the organic movement not as just one of farming and agriculture, but a movement of treating workers, consumers and the land with respect. It's a full agrarian movement.
Quick Fact: There are not many Universities with organic research programs, though the number is slowly expanding. One would think that Cornell University would have a program, but it doesn't.
Another Quick Fact: 43% of organic farmers are women.
One more Quick Fact: the average age of farmers in general is mid 50's, the average age of organic farmers is mid-40's. Younger people who get into agriculture are going organic.
Here are things that can be done to support organic agriculture at the local, state and national levels:
Local:
- Join a CSA (such as GVOCSA)
- Buy from local farms.
- Shop at Abundance Co-Op or Lori's Natural Foods.
- Participate in Rochester Roots.
- Enjoy family activites on local farms.
- Organize to enact local legislation barring Genetically Modified crops.
- Organize to get local food into local schools.
State:
- Join organizations such as the Hunger Action Network of NYS or NYPIRG.
- Letters and E-mails to your state representatives about Labeling Genetically Modified Food.
- Help farm workers to organize.
- Stay on top of issues at the New York State Farm Bureau.
National:
- Work to repeal and reject Free Trade Agreements.
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