As a consumer in the modern day world, more information about the way that goods are produced is continuously being brought into the public’s knowledge. This has led to the rise of movements like veganism and minimalism which both seek to promote a more sustainable and compassionate way of living. If one really considers the extremely cheap prices of certain goods the question of who is really paying for that price may cross one’s mind. Is it the exploited workers? The environment? People’s health? One of the goods that every consumer has to buy is food. The production of food is one of the issues that is gaining more exposure and concern as people learn more about it and start wondering how they can eat in a way that benefits them and the Earth better. The best way to consume food that helps the planet, ones health, farm workers, and animals is by buying from small local organic farms.
Dairy Cow on a Small Farm
Large scale industrialized agriculture has massively grown ever since the Green Revolution, an agricultural movement meant to increase production of agricultural goods globally through the use of technology. With it the impact of using pesticides, herbicides, and raising livestock in concentrated spaces have led to environmental consequences. Both large scale crop production as well as factory farming have environmental impacts that need to be addressed. One of the negative aspects of large scale crop production is habitat destruction. Pesticides and herbicides run off of crops and poison streams and rivers and thus kill wildlife as a result of modern farmers having to increase their production and kill insects and weeds more efficiently. Also, the machinery used to harvest crops of fields leads to mice, rabbits, foxes, and birds being killed as well as farmers shooting deer and other wildlife that could be potentially eating their crops. In fact Barbara Kingsolver, a small farmer and writer, explained that an estimated 67 million birds die each year due to pesticide exposure from large scale agriculture (Kingsolver). Meanwhile, factory farming is a major cause of water pollution as well as deforestation. Fields of forest are cleared to make room for livestock and whenever a livestock holding pen is flooded all the waste from the animals runs off into waterways. Unlike large scale agriculture, small local farms do not have a large negative impact on the environment and many of them actually work to help the environment.
Pasture Raised Geese Cooling Off
The key difference that allows small, local farmers to take the land they use and rely on into consideration is that since the owners are in charge of a smaller amount of resources they have to care for them in a way that allows them to last. To small farmers land, soil, and water are not disposable. As Peter Rosset, an agriculture analyst, said, “Responsible management of the natural resources of soil, water, and wildlife on the 60 percent of all US farms less than 180 acres in size, produces significant environmental benefits for society. Investment in the viability of these operations will yield dividends in the stewardship of the nation’s natural resources.” As Rosset explains, a smaller amount of resources can be more responsibly managed and the proper care of these resources benefits society as a whole since they will last longer and be of better quality. Furthermore, small farmers are much more likely to grow different crops together and diversify their crops. This helps to restore the nutrients in soil and helps bee and butterfly populations. “Small farms embody a diversity of ownership, cropping systems, landscapes, biological organization, culture and traditions. A varied farm structure contributes to biodiversity and a diverse and esthetically pleasing rural landscape,” Rosset explains. Growing crops in a varied way helps the environment rather than harm it the way that monocropping, or only growing one kind of crop, does. Addressing the issues concerning livestock, on small farms livestock are usually raised with access to more space than factory farmed animals and thus their waste is not concentrated and thus not as large a contributor to water pollution. If the livestock are pasture raised than their waste actually fertilizes and enriches the soil, improving its quality. Although small farmers still have to clear land for pasture they do not have to completely clear the area of trees the way that factory farms do since factory farms need more space to put up much larger barns and holding pens.
Furthermore, small farms are much more likely to treat their livestock in a more humane fashion than the way that factory farms do. This is partly because the farm owners are usually directly involved with the raising of their animals and since animals are able to be seen by others and are not hidden away the way that factory farmed animals are hidden from public view by being kept in walled buildings. Also, consumers can visit these farms in person and see exactly how what they are eating is being raised. Small farms are in general much more transparent about how their animals are raised than large industrial farms are. Customers of small farms can directly ask the farmers about their farming practices. On the other hand industrial farms are much harder to get access to and a customer would rarely get the chance to talk to the handlers of the livestock.
Chicks Playing in a Manger
Small farms being much more transparent about their practices also means that their workers are generally treated better than that of large scale farms. Once again, customers can go and see how these farms are run and how the workers are treated. On many small farms the workers are often family members or other people in that farms community and thus have more of a connection to the owners and less likely to be abused. In contrast, many of the workers on large scale farms are migrants who are often abused since they are not fully legal citizens or are in countries with loose labor laws. As Natasha Bowens, an advocate for farming and food justice, states, “Over the past decade, 12-plus employers in the state of Florida have been federally prosecuted for the enslavement of over 1,000 farmworkers”(Bowens).Bowens continues by explaining that workers have been beaten, shot, and chained as well(Bowens). Clearly, large scale farm workers are not being treated justly and in some cases they are being treated like slaves. Furthermore, many of these workers are children and are subjected to unsafe living and working conditions and are paid very little. Buying from small farms means that consumers are not supporting the abuse of underpaid children and migrant workers.
Horses Grazing
Also, the products from small farms are much better for one’s health as there is more of a focus on the quality of the food. Small farmers are directly overseeing their food production and often participating in it themselves and thus there is more reason to take pride in the products that they grow. Small farmers often grow more varied crops which allows customers to buy produce containing different vitamins and minerals. Michael Pollan, a well-known food author, explains how eating food from a farmers market or CSA box, a food subscription service, means that it is automatically in season and thus most nutritious. He continues by explaining that eating in season results in a more varied, fresh and nutritious diet(Pollan).Small farmers have to grow what is in season and this results in their crops being more flavorful and nutrient rich since they are not being shipped in from a different country, frozen or dyed to appear ripe. Contaminated foods are much less likely to be produced on a small farms since it is much easier to manage crop and livestock health. On a large scale farm with thousands of animals and plants a sick animal or plant could be easily overlooked and an outbreak of disease could go unnoticed until it started to largely affect the livestock or produce. As Michael Pollan states, “If you are concerned about chemicals in your produce you, can simply ask the farmer at the market how he or she deals with pests and fertility and begin the sort of conversation between producers and consumers that….is the best guarantee of quality in your food”(Pollan). Small farms allow for the consumer and producer to directly connect with each other allowing for greater transparency about food production and food quality.
Summer Apples
One of the arguments against small farming is that on a large scale it is not possible. This argument takes the stance that there is not enough land available for small farmers to feed larger numbers of people. However, according to Peter Dockrill, an environmental science writer, only 38% of land globally is used for agriculture since the rest is either unsuitable or forested(Dockrill). Thus the problem is not really the amount of land but rather its suitability. One of the benefits of small farming practices is that they can be regenerative of the soil and help to restore it. Small farming practices would help to preserve land currently used for farming and help restore land with poor soil quality. If large farms continue to strip the soil of minerals and not replenish it, less available farming land will be the result. If you consider this large scale agriculture is not sustainable for larger populations in the long run since it results in less suitable land over time. Furthermore, many small farms within communities and surrounding cities could help to provide high quality, sustainable, and local food for people in those areas. Not much land is required to grow fruits and vegetables, and as explained by Dockrill it would be more sustainable for people to eat more fruits, vegetables and grains and less meat, since livestock need more area especially if they are grass fed. Alsom with the rise of techniques like Hydroponics, fish and vegetables could be grown in very little space together. If the resources, land, and technology we have are properly managed then small farms would be able to produce food for a greater number of people in a sustainable way. If small farming was encouraged than the number of small farms would increase and there would be less dependency on industrial farms to provide food for everyone.
Overall, buying from a small local farm allows for customers to support more environmentally practices, humane treatment of animals and workers, and receive food of higher quality. Small farms are more transparent about their practices and consumers can often observe how their food is being produced. They also get the opportunity to ask about whether or not the farmer is growing food in a way that helps or harms the environment. Small farming practices can be regenerative towards the environment and help preserve resources and wildlife. Small farms typically treat their workers and animals much better than industrial farms. Supporting a local farm is one way that consumers can make a positive difference for the environment, their health, and the treatment of laborers and animals.
Driving about an hour out into a more rural area in search of Country Gardens Family Farms, I noticed how the landscape became less urban and more forested. White picket fences sprawled across pastures and dilapidated barns loomed in the distance while I reached my destination. As I turned into the farm’s driveway I immediately noticed the rows of vegetables to my right and the beehives behind them all leading the way to an adorable little store with the words “Country Gardens Family Farm” across the top in brown lettering. I made my way towards the shop, making note of the pumpkin and hay bale decorations by the entrance and already feeling like this place had a welcoming atmosphere. Entering the shop I was overwhelmed with the amount and variety of goods being sold in rather small shop. The bright colors of peppers and eggplants caught my attention at first but a shelf lined with a collection of soaps quickly stole it.
Muscadines, Squash, and Greens
Peppers, Apples, and Eggplant
I was surprised that animal products were also sold at the shop since they were not produced at this particular farm. From visiting their website I learned that they also had another location where 100% grass-fed beef, raw milk, and eggs are produced. (Home) Although the store contains these goods, these products are reserved for CSA members only. A CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, is a system that allows buyers interested in locally grown food to subscribe to local farmers for their products which they receive directly from the farmer rather than a supermarket.(CSA-Farm Co-op) Country Gardens Family Farm not only sells their products at their store and CSA subscription service but also at the Peachtree Roads Farmers Market.(Farmers Markets) As I looked around I asked the woman at the cashier if she was Judy Cunningham, who is one of the farm’s owners that I scheduled an interview with, and although she was not Judy she directed me towards her. Judy and her husband Michael Cunningham, who is also one of the farm’s owners, both were very helpful, informative, and willing to answer my questions. Based off of my experience, interview with the owners and information on the farm’s website I can fully say that Country Gardens Family Farm strives to produce high quality products, use environmentally friendly farming methods, and connect with their buyers.
Milk Reserved for CSA Members
Eggplant and Peppers
Country Gardens Family Farms provides many different seasonally grown vegetables and fruits as well as raw milk, 100% grass-fed beef, honey, and eggs. They also sell several other wellness products like beeswax candles, beeswax skincare, handmade soap, and natural aluminum free deodorant. While I was at the farm’s store they were selling several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, eggplant, muscadines, squash, several kinds of greens, and apples. Talking with Judy Cunningham I learned that all of their produce are grown free of synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Judy explained that they use several natural, eco-friendly ways to keep their fruits and vegetables safe from pests or weeds. In fact they do their best to grow their produce in the most natural way that is healthiest for the consumer and the environment. They try many alternatives before using even organic non-synthetic pesticides. Keeping the crops healthy is one of the ways that they avoid using synthetic chemicals on their plants because the plants can defend themselves and survive pests. Additionally, they also use mesh coverings to protect their plants from pests and they grow pest-deterring plants near their crops. To bring in pollinators, flowers are planted in the fields with their produce so that their plants are naturally pollinated which also helps declining bee populations. In turn, beeswax and honey produced by the bees are then sold in their store. Basically, Country Gardens Family Farm strives to work with nature rather than against it and that is why Judy believes that their products are of top quality. As Michael Pollan, a well-known nutrition and food author, stated, “When you eat food from the farmer’s market, you automatically eat food that is in season, which is usually the most nutritious.”(Pollan) Thus the farm’s products could be considered of higher nutritional value than typical imported vegetables and fruits from a supermarket since Country Gardens Family Farm’s only sell what is in season.
While I was speaking with Judy Cunningham she directed me outside with her to also talk with her husband and co-owner Michael Cunningham. She told me that he would be able to answer more of my questions about the animal products from their other farm. Michael informed me that their beef cattle are raised on only grass once they are weaned from their mother’s milk. I asked him if grass-fed beef was healthier than corn-fed beef and he explained to me that it is higher in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are what the body needs, versus the Omega 6’s that are are higher in corn-fed beef. Furthermore, Michael elaborated on how cows that are fed only or mostly corn also are given antibiotics due to corn, “tearing up their digestive system.” The grass-fed cows raised by Country Gardens Family Farm are kept in clean conditions in which they do not need antibiotics, Michael Cunningham explained to me. Both Michael and Judy, believe that their cows are raised in an ethical way since they spend their time in pastures free from restricting cages and dirty conditions. I asked if they sold organ meats, and Michael told me that they believe in “eating nose to tail.” This results in using almost all of the parts of an animal which means less food is wasted and less resources used to make that food are wasted. I asked Michael what he thought about the vegetarian and vegan movements and he said, “I think we should have choices.” He also said that he thinks people do not need to eat as much meat as they do as it can be expensive, especially if it is high quality meat. The farm produces plenty of goods non-meat eaters could benefit from too and they are high in nutrients and grown sustainably.
Vegetables and Flowers Growing Together
Peppers in the Greenhouse
After interviewing Judy and Michael Cunningham I decided to take a look around the farm and see how things were run based off of what I personally observed. I was not able to personally observe how their beef, milk and eggs were produced as this Country Gardens Family Farm only produced vegetables, fruits, beeswax, and honey. I made my way around the rows of mixed vegetables and flowers and remembered what Judy had said about growing different plants to keep away pests and bring in pollinators. Thin yellow-topped stalks taller than me grew thickly together next to rows of bright pinwheel-shaped zinnia flowers and several patches of tomatoes and other leafy greens. Like Judy said, the flowers certainly brought in droves of fluttering butterflies and bees. Next to that field, there were two large greenhouses in which shiny red peppers and multi-colored tomatoes climbed towards the ceiling on orange twine. The tomatoes and peppers had plenty of leaves and I did not notice any pests or weeds on them. Behind the greenhouses were six white beehouses that looked clean and well-kept, bees were busily traveling from the hives to the fields of vegetables and flowers and back. Past the hives were more fields of greens, squash and other vegetables. I did not see any pests or weeds growing near the plants and the rows of vegetables looked like they were maintained well and organized. It is clear that they use farming techniques that utilize the symbiotic relationship of nature to produce healthy crops.
Beehives
I made my way back into the farm store again and noticed Judy talking with a customer and happily answering her questions and giving her advice. Judy and the cashier at the store greeted everyone who came into the store and were willing to help them in any way that they could. That’s one of the aspects that makes Country Gardens Family Farm different, you can get information about the food you are buying directly from the people who are growing it. There is a direct connection between the farmers and the customer. Like Michael Pollan said, “If you’re concerned about chemicals in your produce, you can simply ask the farmer at the market how he or she deals with pests and fertility and begin the sort of conversation between producers and consumers that, in the end, is the best guarantee of quality in your food.”(Pollan) I truly felt as though the Cunningham’s and their workers want to connect with their customers, and based off of my experience speaking with them I can say that they are very informative and friendly. Talking directly to the farmers gave me a new appreciation for how they strive to produce foods that are free from synthetic chemicals and are produced in an eco-friendly way despite it being more difficult than most mainstream farming methods.
What I learned from my visit was that the Cunningham’s truly care about what they produce on their farm. They grow their food free from synthetic chemicals, seasonally, and in an eco-friendly way. It’s harder to grow crops and raise animals in that way because it takes more time, work and planning. It also is harder to compete with the juggernaut corporations that produce most of the food sold in supermarkets, but buying from their farm gives the customer a direct interaction with the growers of their food unlike a customers typical experience at a supermarket. This gave me the impression that the Country Gardens Family Farm is a business that puts its values before profits and respects the land and environment that they use enough to give back to it. After my experience at this farm I highly recommend Country Gardens Family Farm to anyone interested in high quality agricultural products that do not harm the environment while being produced and allow the buyer to connect with the people growing their food.
Flying across the Atlantic Ocean to a far-away country was an adventurous, exciting way I ended summer 2019. The country I visited is referred to by the locals as being a “big village,” since it is smaller than most U.S. states. Filled with rye and wheat fields, grazing dairy cows, and ancient ruins, Lithuania is a small but a very special country.I had not been to my mother’s country in six years, but that summer, we were visiting my grandma and other relatives. While being overseas, I was reminded how difficult it is to communicate when you do not speak the same language. It creates a cultural barrier and makes it much harder to relate and be accepted by the people around you, even if they are family. However, I also realized that food can play a big role in bringing people together and creating something we all can share. For me, a meal that has connected me to my family, culture, and history is Duona and Borscht.
The Hill of Three Crosses in Vilnius Lithuania
Through memories and experiences with my Lithuanian family throughout my life, Duona and Borscht have brought me closer to my Lithuanian heritage. Twinkling lights, sparkling drinks, and crisp weather are all parts of my childhood Christmas and New Years memories. My family and I would travel to Chicago every couple of years for the winter holidays, where my Lithuanian mom’s side of the family resided. The memories of the large, loud, and colorful parties are hard to forget. Christmas has an especially important place in Lithuanian culture since much of the country is Catholic, and even the food and table set-up have an important religious reason. Papery white wafers with Mary and Jesus indented into them are passed out on Christmas Eve, no meat except for fish is eaten, and hay is strewn across the table as a reference to Jesus’s birth in a stable. One of the dishes that without fail is served during the holidays is Borscht and Duona bread, and my feelings towards those foods have evolved over the years. At first, the brilliantly bright bubble-gum pink soup was something five-year-old me loved to look at and could not wait to try simply because of its fun appearance. However, after learning it was made out of beets, my least favorite vegetable, and served cold, my interest quickly died. When I forced myself to try it in an attempt to be polite, I was unable to finish it due to its strange creamy egg, cucumber, and dill flavor. I nearly found it repulsive, and it was pretty awkward to pretend to enjoy the soup while all the “full-blooded” Lithuanians around me consumed every drop. This pink beet soup is called Borscht and it is served in several Eastern European countries, including Lithuania. Commonly paired with Borscht is Duona, a dark rich bread. My early experiences with Duona was that it was decent. It was not my favorite, since it is not sweet, buttery, and flaky but rather dense, slightly sour, and coarse. I clearly remember Duona always somehow appearing whenever my Lithuanian relatives would show up, and it is something my mind has blatantly linked with the culture. My feelings on both Douna and Borscht have drastically changed as my taste buds developed, and my love of unique, healthy foods grew. Duona to me is practically a treat now, especially since there is nothing like it unless it comes straight out Lithuania. None of the typical American breads compare. No whole grain, bleached-white sandwich, or honey wheat bread measure up. This has made me treasure the pure, earthy, and just plain real taste of Duona. It is hearty and healthy, and the flavor tastes like something that really was grown on an organic farm without GMOs or toxic pesticides, since frankly that is exactly how Lithuanian farmers grow the rye used for it.
Dairy cows on a Lithuanian farm
Now going back to the bright pink soup, it’s not exactly my favorite, but I do have a newfound appreciation for it. The ingredients going into it include beets, cucumbers, buttermilk, eggs, green onions, sour cream, and salt. These ingredients are all wholesome, nutritious, and simple. The result of the union of these simple, practical foods is beautiful and complicated. Borscht has a lovely color and taste that makes you guess at what it could be made of. Furthermore, after learning that there is another way of Borscht being prepared and served I am technically a Borscht enthusiast just not of the cold version. The other version of Borscht is practically the opposite of the cold version, but they are both still pink and made of beets. Borscht served hot contains beef, beets, olive oil, sugar, tomato sauce, onion and several other ingredients that vary on whoever is preparing it. The main difference to me in why I prefer hot Borsch over cold Borscht is that hot Borscht is more water based and so it is less thick and more salty. The creamy, milk and cucumber taste of cold Borscht still confuses me but hot Borscht has a completely different set of flavors.
Both Borscht and Duona are foods that reflect Lithuania and the lifestyle of the people who call her home. Duona and Borscht are made from foods that are common in Lithuania and could easily be grown there. Lithuania is filled with farmland and has always had primarily agrarian products. In fact, while Lithuania was occupied by Russia most of the food they grew was taken from them and utilized by Russia for Russian soldiers and to this day Lithuania mostly exports agricultural products. So it makes sense that their dishes are made from locally grown foods that are easily accessible and inexpensive. Also, due to Lithuania being extremely cold during the winter hot Borscht is a practical dish to consume to try and warm yourself up. Cold Borscht would help to cool one off during the short but lovely summers too, and Duona bread lasts a long time and can be eaten all year. Most Lithuanian foods are practical, inexpensive and nutritious which makes sense considering most Lithuanians were farmers who worked all day and had little extra money to spare. As well as being a standard part of almost every meal, Duona bread has a pretty significant place in traditional Lithuanian culture. To see if a woman was ready to be a wife she would prepare Duona bread for her family to show that she was capable of caring for her future family. This tradition makes sense in the context of the homestead life many Lithuanians led that required food to be made from scratch in the home.
Eggs and cucumber used in Borscht
As I mentioned earlier, being half-American meant that when I was young I was not as used to eating the foods that my other Lithuanian relatives ate all the time. This is just one of the ways I felt less connected to my mom’s side of the family. Me and my siblings were different as we did not speak the language which meant we were more distant from our relatives who spoke none or very little English. It made it awkward to communicate and hard to justify why we had not learned to speak Lithuanian and in a way it created a degree of distance. However, one thing all of us had in common was the enjoyment of food. We all came together as a big family to enjoy loads of food almost always including Duona served with tomato, pickle, or meat and Borscht. Food is something that brought us all together and didn’t require words to show that you enjoyed it and were grateful to whoever prepared it. The memories of my grandma, cousins, and aunts proudly smiling while we devoured the delicious foods they made just for us will always make me happy. In a way food has bridged our cultures by creating a common ground in which everyone can participate in despite a language barrier.
