Opinion: The Future Is The Family Farm

Rosemary Gordon

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Soon, 9 billion people are projected to grace the planet. That’s a lot of mouths to feed. Numerous discussions have taken place on how this will be accomplished. Part of the plan is to use advanced varieties that are not only insect and disease resistant but also require less water and have an extended shelf life.

In addition to having varieties that are better equipped to handle the surrounding environment, production processes must become much more efficient. The latest technology will need to be implemented so growers get the job done — even faster.

The Center Of Sustainability

According to Food Tank, a think tank focused on feeding the world, the family farm will be the key in the future. In fact, the Food Tank is working with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to highlight effective ways to provide family farmers with the tools they need to be successful.

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A recent press release from Food Tank says that both organizations will work over the course of the next two years to highlight how family farming can enhance soil health, protect water supplies, improve nutrition, and increase incomes. The group also points out that family-run farms not only form the base of rural communities, they are at the center of sustainable production.

“Most of the world’s farmers are smallholder and family farmers,” says Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank co-founder. “But their knowledge and practices are not getting nearly the research and funding they need. Policy makers and business have focused on quantity over quality and have forgotten the important role family farming can play in improving nutrition.”

One family farm, this month’s cover subject (see “The Torreys Take Control” on page 8) and the 2013 Grower Achievement Award winner, Torrey Farms of Elba, NY, is a family that doesn’t sit idly by as policies are being made, but rather tackles the issues head on, knowing the importance of feeding a growing population. Maureen Torrey, co-owner of the operation and longtime ag advocate, has gone before Congress on topics critical to farming, including the need for immigration reform.

Critical Concerns

The labor issue — or a lack of immigration reform — has continuously been in the news. The fallout from a broken immigration system has greatly impacted many family farms, and the Torreys are no exception. An I-9 audit last year resulted in the Torreys losing 92 of their 100 packing line employees. According to Maureen, “The employees we lost averaged about 18 years of experience. Now we have to build it back up — from scratch.”

Concern over labor, coupled with having to educate vendors, and others, on practical food safety practices, relate to the big picture — feeding more people. These issues must be factored into government policy.

Unfortunately, law makers generally are not growers and have little knowledge of farming techniques that are passed down from generation to generation.

I think many would agree it is time for policy to reflect what it will take to farm in the future. The question is: Are you doing your part to educate those in charge of making laws as well as the consuming public on farming practices, labor needs, etc.?

For the Torreys and others like them, change needs to occur so growers can do what they do best: sustain a continuously growing population.

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