In Cahoots!

The end of July saw a presentation at the Community Center from Cindy Dvergsten of Dolores, Colorado. The topic was about how agriculture supports civilization, but that agriculture needs a community to sustain and nurture it in return. For those who missed it, let me essplain. No, is too much; let me sum up.

Cindy started the evening by discussing the complexity of agriculture. It is many things to people: art, science, craft, culture, practice, profession, industry, business, and/or a way of life. But for how much longer? 75% of our food comes from a mere 10% of the population—specifically, giant corporations.

Only ONE percent of our population is involved in agriculture: a mere SIX percent of those are under the age of 30; most farmers are 50+ years old.

The remaining 90% of the farms in the US are family-owned, although those numbers are precarious; government regulations continue to threaten small farms. Our government's policy since the 70s has been “get big or get out,” thanks to Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz. Butz believed that if we increased the efficiency of our agricultural production that it would lead to more disposable income.

Perhaps—for everyone but farmers. JFK described farmers as those who are forced to “buy at retail, sell at wholesale, and pay freight both ways.” Mid-sized family farms are feeling the ever-tightening pinch of the soaring cost of inputs coupled with low prices paid to them in return. The majority of family farms rely on off-farm work to supplement their farm income.

As Cindy pointed out, nurturing family-based agriculture is a continuous process, creating a full-cycle feedback loop. Healthier land equals more opportunities to create wealth; biological wealth leads to social wealth, which in turn leads to economic wealth.

But Steamboat's different! I can hear the cry now. We have such a short growing season! We can't possibly compete!

Really?

In 1930, Routt County was home to 928 family farms—compare that to the 610 farms in 2007 (with $34,115,000 as their combined value of production). Those farms were prolific in raspberries, strawberries, lettuce, peas, spinach, green beans, cabbage, potatoes, oats, barley, dairy cows, and so forth. In 2007, we were in the top 5% in the US for sheep production with a mere 9,000 head, versus 52,000 in 1930.

We may have a short growing season, but our weather is unbelievable. Our potential is huge and our soil is rich. We have not had to deal with the exploitation of our land the way other areas have. By buying locally-produced food, we support our economy, our land, and our selves.