A number of Massachusetts farms are being reborn thanks to community agricultural programs, offering farmers and the farm community a new path forward and new hope for a sustainable future.
For the past few years, American farming has been locked in a rollercoaster. While profits have been higher than ever, thanks largely to ethanol production diverting corn from the food supply, farmers have also been hammered by severe weather (last summer’s drought, for example, crippled production across the Midwest).
In the midst of this chaos, reports from the United Nations suggest that agricultural production across the globe may be facing a disastrous slump. With climate change a very real possibility, farmers will need to look to a more sustainable future.
In Massachusetts, farmers have been using community-supported agriculture programs to boost revenue and develop valuable ties to local consumers. Increasing ties to local consumers has been encouraged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which sees local production as key to boosting sales. In addition, local production helps increase sustainability, relying less on large-scale industrial production and more on the growth of seasonal crops.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmloans.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer