Interviews About Local Farming

Leo
Interview

                The person I’ve chosen to interview about my topic was my mother-in-law Stephanie.  After discussing our group’s topic and issue we talked about some of the questions provided.

1.       Do you think others in our community think this is a problem?

I do not really believe others think this is that much of an issue, everyone seems to just be blinded by the large chains such as Shaws or Stop N’ Shop and forget about all the goodness of local farms. There are many people that I know that shop at farms, but I think it needs to be more constant, and more people need to take part in the action of local farms.

2.       Is this an important issue to you personally?

This is an important issue to me; I always go to my local farm, Tendercrop, to buy a majority of my items, such as fruit, vegetables and meats. I think that more people should buy their food at these local places because the overall quality of the produce and meats are so much better. Supporting local farms is something that should be taken more seriously. Not only do they provide better quality items but they also seem to take pride in the fact that they are indeed providing a higher quality product than a lot of the larger stores.

After discussing the Commonwealth Quality and all the policies and things it has to offer we talked about the following questions.

3.       What are the advantages of this policy?

I personally didn’t know anything about this but I think it’s an excellent idea. The fact that they use these stickers to “mark” the items that we as consumers purchase is perfect.  It just further helps people purchase quality food products that are healthier and overall better for you.

4.       Are there disadvantages?  Does this policy need to be enhanced?

As far as I can see, from an uneducated eye, I cannot see any disadvantages; the only thing I can say about enchaining it would be that it should be a more widespread thing.  I think that every single company should have to have some sort in depth production standard to ensure that consumers are getting the very best quality possible.

5.       Are you aware of all the local farms in your community?

I personally only use the one farm which is Tendercrop, I can get everything that I need there at a pretty decent price for the quality that the farm boasts. However on the way there I go by two other farms. These are of smaller size but they seem to be just as nice.

6.       After answering these questions has your opinion of local farming changed?

My opinion of the issue has only been increased after talking about it. I strongly agree that more people should shop at these local farms. If people are continuously blinded by these large chain stores they should change their thinking. Local farms need support and they products that they offer are such better quality and are an all-around better deal.

After doing this interview I actually learned more than I thought I would. I knew that Stephanie shopped at Tendercrop however I did not know that she actually rarely goes to the supermarket. This just makes it more clear to me that more people need to take it upon themselves and start looking into the benefits of local farms. These businesses are excellent sources of natural products and they should be taken advantage of.

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Christine's Interview:

The person I have chosen to interview is my Mother-in-law, Nancy.  She is a nurse in Massachusetts and lives in Wakefield.  As a nurse (and a grandmother), I know that healthy food choices are important to her and therefore options are critical.  She and I have shared many meals together and have explored many grocery stores and local farms together.  Often, when we vacation, we will even try local farms in the area.  I discussed the blog to Nancy, and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.

Do you think local farming is important?  Does your community support local farming?

Yes, I think local farming is important. If the local farmer is not supported, we risk losing the farmers ability to financially continuing to provide us with wonderful produce. It is also a way of preserving the land.  My community provides us with a farmers market every Saturday in a common area and farmers come from many different local communities to sell their products.  My community also advertises this event in the local newspaper weekly.

How do you think the government (local, state or federal) support or does not support the local farmer?

Although there are no local farms in Wakefield, the town provides the space and time for the Farmer’s Market weekly, at no cost to the farmers. I don’t know what the state and federal governments provide financially or supportively to farmers.

Do you or have you ever used a local farm?  If so, for what?  If not, why not? 

I have used a local farm, Green Meadows Farm, about 30 minutes away. Green Meadows is an organic farm and I belonged to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. I paid up front for about 6 months of my share of the produce that was available.

Do you think your food tastes better from a local farmer than from a grocery store?  Why or why not?

Definitely tastes better. It’s food that has just been picked from the garden to home and usually cooked that same day/week.  I have also gotten flowers at the Farmer's Market and through my CSA.  The flowers are more beautiful and last longer.

I spoke with Nancy about the Commonwealth Policy in Massachusetts.  She was not aware if it and was very interested.  I asked her if she would choose a product with the Commonwealth Policy Seal over another item in a supermarket.

Definitely, I would choose their product.  It would be homegrown and fresher.  It is a shame more people are not aware of this so they could look for it and seek it out.  There doesn’t seem to be much advertisement about it.

After talking with Nancy, I have come to wonder how many people truly know what their food options are.  The supermarket seems to be so convenient, that we may not even be considering other healthy, fresher options.  Nancy had a point, not many people seem to be aware of their choices and no one (in the government) seems to be telling anyone. 

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Erika's Interview

                                  Interview with Paris Beckett

I chose to do my interview with my best friend Paris who is also an environmental minor at Salem State University. After discussing local farms, she was kind enough to answer questions.

1.      Do you think supporting local farming is important? Why or why not?

Local farming is important because it is supporting a local economy and the small business owners. By supporting the smaller business it not only helps the farmer, but it helps to prevent a monopoly on products.

2. Do you think the community you live in supports local farming? How or how not?

My local community is an old farm town and we here still enjoy our fresh produce. Many homes even have their own vegetable gardens and often go to the weekly farmer's market to help support our local farmers.

3. How do you think the government (local, state or federal) support or does not support the local farmer?

Government does not support local farming because it continues to give tax cuts and loop wholes to the biggest business. There are only 5 major slaughterer houses in this country. And there is only 1 company the provides growing seed t farmers, and this company will attack any farmer that is suspected of holding seed (see Food Inc documentary). Not to mention that all the former emplyies of the big bussnesses are in high government possitions that regulate the bussnesses and their policies.

4. Are there any disputes in your community about local farming or Agribusiness?

In my communities only family owned farms are allowed in the farmers market. But no large bussnesses are allowed in my town. But in my area there are several large food marts. Large companies are not allowed in Boxford.

5. Do you have any local farms in your community?

My town does have local farms as well as many personal green houses and gardens that sell their produce from their homes. Some even have chickens and sell fresh eggs.

6. Do you or have you ever used a local farm? If so, for what? If not, why not?

I have used local farmed produce. Whenever I go away if I see a farm stand I try to stop. I find the produce to have a better taste and I enjoy having the one on one contact with the person who has produced or harvested the food I am about to consume.

7. Do you think the government should offer local farmers/CSA’s affordable lease options?

Lease options should be made salable however what the government should do is eliminate the chock hold on local farmers so that they can hold their own seed and local ranchers can have their own slaughter houses and unbiased legislation in the senate. That people in the senate should legally have no ties to any side that could make it difficult for them, to make an unbiased decision.

8. Do you think your food is safer from a local farmer?

The food has been proven to be safer from local farmers because they are not often producing in the mass quantities company farms are producing. Because they are smaller they can better regulate water and sanitation. And often it is their home land they are farming so they have a greater investment in what is put into their environment and fed to their families.

 
9. Do you think your food tastes better from a local farmer than from a grocery store? Why or why not?

I feel it does taste better. Though some fruits can taste better from the companies because there are artificial genes in them to become sweeter. Once you taste a wild blueberry and a GMO blueberry you will know the difference. From there it is only a personal preference. I have also experienced something similar with eggs.

10. Would you support offering the same tax shelters that Agribusinesses enjoy to the local farmer?

No, they do not need them.

From doing this interview, I've realized that young adults my own age are fully aware of this issue concering local farms. What we know need to do is have it trickle down to the even younger generations to make a bigger impact.

Introduction to Local Agriculture

   You might be asking yourself why it matters where my food comes from?  Well, there are lots of reasons!!!  Locally grown agriculture is fresh!!!  It was just harvested, so it can be picked just as it is ripening, that makes it better for you and it will taste a whole lot better.  Also, it doesn’t use as much fuel to transport locally grown agriculture (especially if you go directly to the farm), so there is less carbon emission and less consumption of energy.  Plus, locally grown agriculture keeps the local money in our community, helping the local economy.  

    Every time you go food shopping, you are making a choice.  Consider all of your options—keep it local!!!  To get started, you could check out the Massachusetts page for local farmers.


      An agency that seems to have a large part of the agriculture community would be Commonwealth Quality. This is a brand that has been designed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The main goal of this agency is to provide farm fresh products that are guaranteed to be produced with safe and environmentally friendly resources and outcomes.  Commonwealth Quality has many certified growers, processors and producers that strive in meeting rigorous federal, state and local monitoring requirements. Only the finest management practices are used to ensure quality products and guarantee that consumers obtain the freshest and best products that they possibly could. The Commonwealth Quality Seal delivers a trusted guarantee that the products consumers are purchasing such as fruits, vegetables and also processed foods are Massachusetts grown, processed and also handled with extreme attention. The Commonwealth Quality ensures that the farmers, processors and distributors that have the Commonwealth Quality certification are in complete compliance with all local, state and federal regulations, these are the same regulations that have been administrated by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection along with the United States Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency. Not only does it guarantee to be in complete compliance with all of these agencies the seal also promises to be within local town regulations.

United States Department Of Agriculture

      An agency that has a big influence on agriculture and the policies that effect the food on our table is the United States Department of Agriculture also known as USDA. Many of you have probably heard this acronym on T.V. related to our food. They are part of the United States federal executive department. The USDA's mission statement is as follows, "We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management", taken from the USDA website. They are responsible for many regulations including, but not limited to: Federal Grain Inspection, Food Distribution Regulations and Rulemaking, Food and Nutrition Service Regulations and Policies, Food Safety Inspection Service Regs and Policies and Rural Development Instructions. Many of these regulations and policies effect the food on our table, the quality of it and even the food in our school systems.


     I am Christine and I am a Senior here at Salem State.  I am a 44-year-old adult learner majoring in Elementary Education and American Studies.  I live in North Andover with my husband of 20 years, Michael and our three kids.  Alex is my oldest; he is 18 years old and a senior in high school.  My sons David and Jason are twins, are 15 years old, and are sophomores.  I love to cook for my family.  My love of cooking has brought me through many recipes and many, many grocery stores and farms in search for the perfect ingredients.  I love to explore new foods and try new recipes and I love my local farmer.  We have a wonderful farm here in North Andover, Smolack Farms, which is how I got interested in local farming. 

    My name is Leo and I am also a senior, even though I’ve been a senior for technically about two years, I’m trying to graduate! I live in Amesbury, MA with my Fiancée, Ashley and our two daughters, Lorelai who is 4 years old and Audrey who is 8 months. This topic is important and interesting to me because I think that more support should go into the outcome of local farmers and town farms. I would personally rather go get fruit, vegetables and even meat from our local farm in Newbury, Tendercrop Farm, than going to a chain grocery store. Not only is the food fresher, but I feel good supporting the “little guy” versus a large chain store.


       My name is Erika and I'm a senior as well, planning to graduate this spring. I'm also planning to go back after I graduate and get my Master's degree in Special Education. I live in Middleton, Ma and have lived there most of my life. I actually live 5 minutes away from the Richardson's Dairy Farm and have gotten used to being near a farm, seeing the cows as I drive in and out of Middleton and of course the smell especially in the summer! This summer, Middleton has started a farmer's market in the Angelica's parking lot every Wednesday. It's not just Middleton, but many other towns in the area are having their own farmer's market. I drive by a farm on the Danvers/Middleton line all the time and I'm amazed at all the food they grow. Each year, I see the progression of growth of these fresh foods and wonder where it all goes and how it tastes. I want to see how the fresh vegetables compare to the grocery store. I'm really interested in local farming and the pros and cons of it compared to the superstore chain. As the semester goes on, I will be open and honest about this new adventure and see where it takes me!