Ryan Kalivretenos of Common Root Farm, with organic beets that add to his variety of yearround produce
Photo courtesy of: MPT / Maryland Farm & Harvest
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD GROWERS?
n Buy as much as possible from farmers markets. n Purchase a CSA from a local farm. n Get to know your farmer and learn about their growing practices. n Ask your local farmer how you can volunteer. n Ask your local farmer if they have a“ wish list” of items you can donate, such as farm tools, mowers, hoses, lumber, even food scraps or shredded dry leaves for their compost process. n Encourage your friends to buy local and purchase a CSA. n Understand that local food does not mean cheaper food; in fact local food can be more expensive because small farmers lack huge federal subsidies and toxic industrial efficiencies.
www. keepstepfarm. com www. steloacres. com www. commonrootfarm. com produce the divine gifts of community, love, artistic expression, peace, humility, kindness, joy, harmony, civility. We farm because we love to care for the earth and feed our community.”
Every day of its existence, Common Root Farm counters the trend toward industrialized farming.
WHAT DO WE VALUE? FOOD OR FORTUNE?
Jennifer Freeman, Founder of Community FarmShare emphasizes“… the demand for healthy food is huge. We provide more than 200,000 pounds to the community every year, and we could use much, much more. There is so much unmet demand. Supply is the problem.”
Private equity firms are buying farmland at a rapid pace. Industrial farming lurches forward using more chemicals and artificial inputs to boost production. Billionaires insatiably strive to amass ever more vast wealth, regardless of the effect on society or the environment. Yet a dedicated batch of young people are still inspired by the same basic values farmers through the ages have displayed. In the words of Humon Heidarian of Keep Step Farm“… when it gets right down to basics, I just want to grow healthy food for my community.”
These are indeed some of our most valued neighbors. They will never accrue vast wealth from growing healthy food, but their contributions to their community are invaluable.
Melane Kinney Hoffmann has lived on a 50-acre farm, with 40 acres in hay, in the Ag Reserve for more than 30 years. Melane serves on the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board, and has been involved in various efforts to preserve rural land in the Ag Reserve.
18 plenty I summer growing 2026