As I understand it, some grants are based on tonnage of food produced,
which would explain rutabagas and winter squash. I am truly trying to
understand what sustainable agriculture means to the Vermont Foodbank.
Why is a foodbank spending so much grant money on this project? It seems
they could have supported local farms in Washington County by buying
from farmers at market price and saved yourself a lot of headaches. It's
like these solar and wind companies trying to cram solar/wind down
towns' throats before the grant money is gone, regardless of whether
they will actually pay for themselves in the long run.
I forgot free money, subsidies for nukes agri-business, coal, etc. - it
really makes us no better than the other large companies. I see a
hysteria of spending going on in this Valley, and where is it coming
from? Does anyone out there really know? I hate to break it to you,
federal government -- right or wrong -- is bankrupt, the state is in bad
health. We are one of the biggest debtor nations. Think of it as credit
card debt. I am sure some can understand that. That's why our
depression is being called a recession. I am sure we can debate the
differences+ADs- it's another opinion.
So this gold Valley we live in wants to feel good about itself by
spending a load of money and time on things like the grant for the trees
in Waitsfield. Are any of those trees apple, plum, pear or just habitat
trees, not food trees. Oh, that's right, Waitsfield is going to give
away all their fruit to someone.
Again wouldn't want to support state farmers. Of course not. I find it
funny that most if not all the people involved in these projects know
nothing about farming. I am sure there are a few experts on
environmental design who can draw pretty pictures and illustrations like
the pictures of the proposed East Warren project, behind the
schoolhouse (rice) and sure the little green on the road, like we need
more trees, look around.
Reality is a little more difficult to produce. It takes money and a lot
of time to maintain it and allow it to grow. Like the trees at Kingsbury
-- the grass is growing up all around the new trees (new growth) not
totally necessary to trim around them, but it gives them more of a
fighting chance -- healthier and faster growth potential. If you walk
your dog at the holding pond those trees and shrubs had practically no
maintenance, and last I looked they were not the healthiest specimens
and some basically died in the brush. It is called follow-through+ADs-
so you volunteered to plant them+ADs- now the commitment to maintain it,
that is part of sustainable farming and usually there are no accolades
for the farmers. It's like having farmer appreciation events. Who is
that for? Not the farmers+ACE- It makes us feel good, maybe+ADs- doesn't
help the farmer much. Most can't come they are working their mules off
to produce your next meal.
Maybe if we really supported them and made it a way of life by buying
their products and paying them what they need for it, they could
actually not worry about their bills so much and might have a little
free time that does not exist for them. I heard a so-called farmer say
that CSAs are not important, Valley prices are too high and food should
be cheaper. Apparently maybe that farmer has a trust fund or invested in
the market and made a killing. Who knows? I really want to understand
all of these issues and it just does not add up to me.
I like when people tell me about global warming and carbon emissions,
yet I can almost bet their houses are over 2,000 square feet, they have
nice, inefficient, expensive cars and travel all over the world. It's
like the administration telling the Amish in Pennsylvania that their
farming practices are polluting the Chesapeake Bay. Amish do not use
electricity+ADs- they use horse and manpower and live a simple life,
unlike us. Unlike the farms spraying pesticides and the giant dairy
farms and all the chemicals that go down our drains, assimilate and buy
and consume, because you can. Unfortunately we need to go back to those
days when you got a pound of sugar it was as good as gold. None of us
would know those days, but if you were born around 1900 plus/minus you
would understand.
Tim Seniff lives in Warren.
