tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2088603658552825500.post5639161306828881364..comments2023-11-05T05:53:29.465-05:00Comments on The Hickory Hound: City of Hickory Bits and Pieces - February 4, 2012James Thomas Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04359970774315269896noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2088603658552825500.post-71116362879356123502012-02-04T09:20:27.715-05:002012-02-04T09:20:27.715-05:00I don't think that farmers coming from some ad...I don't think that farmers coming from some adjacent area are a problem. In fact, if we don't get smarter about land use the farms will probably shrink in number so we can put up more strip malls. The idea is that we support local (and regional) farmers, help the environment by not having the produce trucked from California or Mexico and hopefully better produce quality. <br /><br />The better produce quality comes from the produce ripening naturally rather than being picked early so it will survive the transportation. Also, some produce is now bred for durability rather than taste or nutrition which is why you get the flavorless tomato and so on. Hopefully, the farmers, being our local neighbors will be a little more concerned about the varieties grown, and growing methods. If not completely organic then, at least somewhat more discerning with their use of pesticides and fertilization. <br /><br />Retail sales are one option for the farmer, direct sales to restaurants are another. The isothermal area, around Polk and Rutherford counties do a good job of pooling their transportation needs to market to Charlotte. We could certainly expand the agricultural opportunities around here. There are even more options with winter crops and even some farmers that work with international producers to package and distribute food grown in other areas.<br /><br />Agriculture is sometimes seen as a backward, no opportunity business of yesteryear. But the average age of a farmer is now 58 and younger folks aren't rushing into agriculture as a career. With a growing population and more stresses on land and water coming, it would be wise to reconsider our land and water use and look at this as an opportunity.harryhippsnoreply@blogger.com