Food for Thought

While perusing the Centennial issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine, I spotted an interesting quote that set me on my way for today’s blog. In March 1983, John Rahenkamp said, “It is an alarming fact, but countrywide, farmland is being permanently removed from productivity at a rate of 1.5 million acres annually…” In the 80’s, developmental pressures were high, setting the stage for deed restrictions on a percentage of agricultural land. However, another alarming fact is occurring right now. See this latest article from the BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11468402 The title reveals it all. “US Investors Plough Cash into Farmland”, which gives you an idea of the see-saw effect and the need for balance in every community, locally and globally.

Picture yourself as a kid on the see-saw. When your side got too high up in the air, the slam of the other sides’ lift-off from the ground was jolting. Balancing the see-saw is important for a safe ride.

A combination of pressures over the course of years have raised havoc with the farming industry nationally and more importantly, on a local level. Industrial agriculture or small farmers as separate entities are not enough to sustain society. The agricultural base has to be diversified to sustain what Mother Nature or population may throw at our food supply. It is a finite resource so find the balance.

One way that you can try to stabilize this trend is very simple. Grow your own food; support your local farms and the local agricultural industry and stay on top of what’s happening on a global level. People don’t give food a second thought as long as the shelves at the local supermarket are full. I encourage you to read the linked article and weigh in. The food for thought today is by two folks that obviously were stating the same fact. Will Rogers said, “Buy land. They ain't making any more of the stuff” and Mark Twain, who said it first.” Buy land, they're not making it anymore.”