BORDER FARM
What is happening to farms in the USA?
The United States loses approximately 23,000 farms each year on average, which equates to roughly 63 farms per day. Between 2017 and 2024, more than 160,000 farms went out of business, representing nearly 13% of the national total.
Once a farm is gone it is gone.
When a farm closes its doors it isn’t just the local food that you lose, it isn’t just the view of your neighborhood cows or fields of wheat you lose, it is –
- generational knowledge
- knowledge of systems
- land skills
- animal rearing skills
- connection to land, people, and food
- declining rural communities
Why is this happening?
It is mostly and exclusively to consolidate small and mid-size farms in with the giant conglomerates, for more standardized control.
There is what is called the cost-price squeeze, remember this the next time you buy local and wonder why prices are a bit higher.
Small and mid-size farms have record high production expenses to grow and/ or rear local products that are high quality and optimally healthy, but the market prices are held much lower. Higher output – Lower return. Small farms are competing with giant box stores that have the benefit of buying cheaper similar items, less quality, but at lower costs.
‘We culled our quail covey last year that was fed organic feed, had a natural quail aviary, and were all treated with care as last year as we could no longer compete with the big box stores prices on factory raised caged quail eggs. People want local but want the unrealistic low prices of big box stores. There is a Grand Canyon size misunderstanding of what local food costs to produce’
Want to make a difference?
- Use our WAPF Resource List at the bottom of our newsletter, and let this be your shopping guide.
- Buy from your neighbors and friends that are producing.
- Spend more time thinking about your food, where it comes from, and how much you can buy direct from farms.
- Let your free time be about meeting farmers and ranchers, enjoy the driving, the adventure, the products that are raised with care.
- Volunteer on local farms, every single farm needs extra help.
- Keep farms and ranches thriving through spreading the word, bring a friend or 10 to buy!
- When you go to a farmers market go to BUY, not just say hello.
TUESDAY NIGHT FARM MARKET – 5pm – 8pm. We are here! Renn is in town so you will see the whole family tonight! Lots of amazing kefir!
NEW FARM STAND!
If you pick up weekly you’ve seen all of the construction stages of our new Farmstand! Siding happens this weekend, but today we opened the doors!
We will have everyone’s weekly orders in our new fridges, PLUS additional items for purchase – teas, jams, sourdough (sometimes), kefir grains, sourdough starter, and more.
This weekend we stock up! Come check it out.
PAWS & PEOPLE
TRAINING
It’s easy to get caught up in the easy stuff with dogs, but what if you knew how much they were judging you and also had the ability to offer you grace and forgiveness, if you were deserving? It is never a one way street – From My Gran Dame
AUGUST Puppy/Adolescent Class – 11am (1 space available)
SEPTEMBER Puppy/Adolescent Class – 11am
SEPTEMBER Adult Specialty Class (DISTRACTION TRAINING) – 11am (one space available)
We are scheduling through summer right now. If you are interested in group classes, phone appointments – please consider registering in advance.
One-on-One Coaching in person for the summer is now FULL. Next available appointments looks to be September.
One-on-One PHONE COACHING is available during the week, mid day.
