New "garden-farms" sprout up in the Delaware Valley in response to the buy local movement

July 23, 11:35 AMPhiladelphia Home Gardening ExaminerMelissa Miles

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Small Polt Intensive farm courtesy of: spinfarming.com

Characterized, not by acres of corn fields and loud combine harvesters, the new "garden farm" phenomenon -  plots of land in urban/sub-urban areas that are small in size (often less than 1 acre), and committed to growing quality produce, while supporting local economies, can be seen sprouting up all over the Delaware Valley - and the rest of the country. The 'buy local' movement, coupled with concerns over the environmental and long-term health effects of industrial agriculture practices and (the seemingly innumerable) instances of food recalls that consumers have faced in recent years have led to a ground swell of plots of vacant land and lawns being put into agricultural production.  Thanks, in part, to techniques like  SPIN-Farming, sites that were once considered only viable as urban or suburban hobby "gardens" have proven to be a viable way of producing food and earning a living doing so. 

Recently released movies aimed at increasing awareness of the problems associated with our nation's current system of food production and distribution (like FOOD, Inc. and FRESH, the Movie ) have added to the momentum of this movement and increasingly, consumers are becoming aware of the problems associated with agricultural business as usual.  Unsustainable practices like factory farming are contributing to antibiotic resistance and hazardous waste disposal problems - factory farming is considered by many to be responsible for the recent swine-flu outbreak (although it has not been making as many headlines of late, H1N1 is still a problem.)

A recent article in Keystone Edge, a magazine which, "tells the story of new economy in Pennsylvania", The Neo-Agrarians: Small-scale Farming, Large-scale Economic Impact features several of these small-scale gardens that are now operating as commercial or community farms throughout the state (my own suburban micro-farm is featured in the article). 

All around the country groups of consumers (and small farmers) are meeting to discuss issues like concerns over food safety, legislative issues related to food and farming, and their desire to support local/sustainable farms, which they view as a positive influence on their local economies and communities.  Last evening, a Philadelphia area Meet-up Group: The Farmer and Consumer Action Group, hosted a screening of FRESH, the Movie at the West Conshohoken Borough Hall. The turn-out was impressive for a week night meeting during the height of the summer, which is indicative of the growing interest among consumers to learn more about the issues related to our nation's food system. 

As Michael Pollan, author of the popular book on the subject of agriculture and the myriad choices we have regarding the food we eat,  The Omnivore's Dilemma, reminds us -  the only way to be sure of eating good quality, fresh and safe food is to either grow it ourselves - or, at the least, "to shake the hand that feeds you."