Welcome back to the LocalHarvest newsletter.
August is the month that local food lovers await. Tomatoes, melons, peppers,
eggplant, etcetera, all in abundance - at least in the temperate parts of our
country. This year, though, temperate areas have been hard to find, and
harvests have been sparse in many areas. The drought in Texas has made national
news, while other regions got too much rain early in the season and then too
little, or too much heat when plants were trying to set fruit. Where I live,
it's been a bumper year for cucumbers but not much else!
For most of us, immoderate weather is an inconvenience, but farmers'
livelihoods are tied to the sun and rain. Summers like this one are a cause for
great concern. Last month LocalHarvest farmers were invited to participate in a
survey aimed at learning more about the current challenges and opportunities
for farmers. One question asked them to name the issues having the greatest
impact on the viability of their farms. Their number one concern? ‘Changing
climate/weather patterns' (chosen by 42% of respondents).
As we wrote back in 2007,
the changing climate adds a new layer of uncertainty to farming, and
to our food supply. At the very least, summers like this one make a strong
argument for diversification: if one crop or variety doesn't do well,
hopefully others will.
And what does a rough summer mean for people who like to eat local food? What
is required of us when the pickings are slim at the farmers market, the CSA box
contains too much of some things and too little of others, and all the work
that went in to the garden offers little in return?
After complaining my way through most of July, in recent weeks I have been
working to have a better attitude. Rather than stomping my feet about the
sparsity of choices, I needed to take on an "it is what it is” kind of
acceptance, and then I could get out my cookbooks and be more creative with the
ingredients at hand. Personally, I also had to be a little more flexible. I
really believe in supporting local farmers and eating what my family produces
ourselves. Our loyalty to them matters, especially in lean years. And, there
came a point when we could not live on greens and cucumbers alone. I had to
break down and buy some produce at the grocery store, something I rarely do
during the growing season. A little respite did us good, and the next week we
were able to return to the farmers market with fresh eyes, happy to take home
whatever the farmers had. (Turns out the greens and cucs were still doing well,
but the first tomatoes were ready too.)
Ultimately, the thing that supports this loyalty and flexibility and acceptance
is a sense of gratitude. Things change when we find the space within ourselves
to feel thankful for what the land is providing, even, and perhaps especially,
in challenging seasons.
Until next time, take good care, and eat well.
Erin
Erin Barnett
Director
LocalHarvest
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