What impact does sustainable farming have on rural communities?
Sustainable food vitalizes the rural communities that grow it, improving the local economy and safeguarding the environment’s fertility for future generations. By growing diverse crops to feed local mouths rather than commodities for a world market, farmers protect themselves from global price swings and save money otherwise lost to processing, transportation, and marketing companies. Every dollar spent at a farmers’ market or farm stand goes directly to the farmer, compared to only 19 cents of every dollar spent at conventional supermarkets. What’s more, dollars spent within the local economy have a multiplying effect that generates positive returns for the community. CitySeed, the non-profit organization that oversees New Haven’s farmers’ markets, estimated that the purchases made at their markets kept $1.3 million in the local economy in 2006. By serving as responsible stewards of the environment, sustainable farmers ensure that following generations will have fertile acres to plant
