Imagine Your Spending Power of $50 Per Week At a Local Farm
We have the power to change our landscape
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Boycotts and strikes are an ingrained facet of the American economy. These are two ways that we, as a organized small groups within society, can express ourselves through our spending power and habits.
I believe that we can all imagine scenarios where strikes have worked to make considerable change in an economy or system. Boycotts are the same way--an organized approach to the habits and behaviors of a group of people can and does have a profound impact on how our systems function.
Imagine for a moment our collective power in supporting small, sustainable, hyper local (within 50-100 miles radius for the purposes of these paragraphs) farms, nurseries and homesteads.
For those currently buying groceries at large stores or chains, reallocating even $50 per week of your (food, entertainment, eating out) budget to local farms makes an enormous impact.
$200 per month towards a local farm, gives that farm something to plan on. It gives them that much more of a reliable income. For the farms and small food businesses who receive that kind of support and loyalty, this is life changing.
Some Americans do this. They make the extra effort to find and source from small, regenerative farms and businesses.
These folks are a wealth of knowledge about how to do this. Please ask them.
Your purchasing power is more powerful than you can imagine. We can literally change the American landscape with small steps towards local economies.
The power is yours!
Consider setting a weekly or monthly budget that you will devote towards the regenerative farms in your area.
Now, imagine for a moment that 5-10 others do this as well. Your support sends several important messages:
You let them know their work to regenerate ecosystems is valuable.
You are in it with them.
Your loyalty towards their farm/business keeps that land in farming.
Local support strengthens the local food systems that will save our health and our ecosystems.
You believe in the power and purpose of connection and community.
Adversely, large companies use our natural instincts to source healthy food and connect with each other to manipulate us into buying their products and to achieving brand loyalty.
Whether you agree with the positions or not, take a look at what is happening in current consumer trends. Or look at the history. Recognize the impacts. We, as individuals combined, have the power to step outside of large corporate tactics and create true community within a localized area. Let's use that power!
It easily starts with choosing a small to moderate budget amount and dedicating that to regular purchases from your local farm.
Will you start with $10 per week towards a farm in your community?
I'm a member of a local CSA. Love it! Each year I pay in the spring for a season that's about 21 weeks long, more or less. It works out to about 20-24 dollars per week. My farmer grows organically (not certified), using no pesticides, no chemical fertilizer. He has done a lot of work with compost and other natural soil amendments and his soil reflects that. It looks really good! I also have a source for local beef and occasional lamb, and another for local eggs. David Elliot
I spent $65 dollars this week and got some of the best food (its so GOOD!) that you can buy. Local people where I live are artisans that rival European foods, milk and cheese.