No Farms, No Food

There’s a saying going around: ” No farms, no food.”  It's pretty simple: if we don't have farms, we're not going to have food. All of us count on America's farms and ranches to provide fresh, healthful and local food—but our farms and ranches are rapidly disappearing.

According to the American Farmland Trust, the United States lost more than four million acres of agricultural land – an area about the size of Massachusetts - to development, between 2002 and 2007 alone. And the trend is continuing.

At the same time, a growing number of famers and gardeners are bucking the trend, producing organic and carefully grown vegetables and fruits and serving their local communities by selling at famers markets.

In Gays Mills alone, at least 10 growers are registered as weekly vendors, and they bring fresh-picked vegetables, berries, mushrooms and nuts to the weekly Wednesday market,  3 – 6:30 p.m.“rain or shine,” as the past several Wednesdays have proven.

In addition, because of the Crawford County Community Fund and some of its generous supporters, money for purchasing those items can be stretched, using the Crawford Markets Care Coupons.

Food pantries in Gays Mills and Prairie du Chien distribute the coupons in $5 increments, to be used at markets in Crawford County, in Eastman, Ferryville, Gays Mills and Prairie du Chien.. Farmers market vendors receive cash reimbursement for the coupons from market managers.

The program is made possible by the Crawford County Community Fund, Couleecap, Inc., and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

Besides vegetables and fruits, the Gays Mills Farmers Market also carries honey, maple syrup, mushrooms, nuts, fresh baked goods, herbs and herbal products, jams, jellies, and pickles. Occasionally, arts and crafts, as well as yarn, wool and fiber arts can be found.

Some market patrols like to stop for a fresh-grilled brat or other snack. Others like to enjoy making a supper stop, enjoying the park atmosphere as they chat with friends and neighbors.

To keep buyers up to date, the Market website carries information on new arrivals, It also has profiles of vendors, suggested recipes, and other features, including news of events planned for Market Day.   For more information, contact www.gaysmillsfarmersmarket.com.