Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

Last Sunday I went to the Flea Market covering myself with a blanket.My friend who accompanied me had a SKI mask to protect against the chilling ARCTIC wind .The premises looked empty as half of the vendors were out and customers who are usually crowding the market were no where to be found.Today Tuesday ,will be the 11th day where we Floridians experience a cold streak that has been oscillating at a below 45 degrees Fahrenhite .Last time in memory ,some  local centurians recall ,a similar drop was back in 1956!

I was reading about the sudden rise in Orange Juice stocks ..Most damages to the citrus crop will not be apparent to calculate instantly , but there is evidence of heavy damages in the western parts of the state where temperatures reached down below 30 degrees Fahrenhite in some areas.Certain crops are totalled like green beans(suffered a lot of damages as it is sensitive to cold temperatures),others took a lesser bite  like corn(whole sale prices jumped from around $12 a 50 ear crate last week to $18 on Monday),.In brief damages are substantial and veggies prices will see a hike nationwide as a consequence.Florida supplies during the winter about 75% of produce to the nation.There are scattered organic  urban farmers,CSA and local growers and small nurseries like herb farms that are also affected but do not receive compensations for failed crops during to inclement weather.The main stream media usually sounds the LOUD alarm so that the cry for the big AGRI BUSINESS reaches Washington  to affect compensations to the big industry !

Incentives and compensations are  allocated to the CONVENTIONAL BIG AGRI BUSINESS as usual in such  situations .As the ORGANIC small farmers movement is in the increase nation wide , we need to reach out for equal treatments to farmers altogether big and small .In times where challenges hit the farmers unity and support are of the essence.The media as usual will analyse the situation from a monetary point of view , wheras in fact the HUMANITARIAN factor is bypassed.A change of climate now is impacting a change in our farming practices.The Southern Tropical zones of 10-11 are now being confused with the Nothern Arctic2-3.Will there be a reversal change in temperatures  and therefore of switching crops between the North and South.We need farmers in office to bring the message closer so proper action will follow .George Washington and Jefferson our early farmers presidents now more than ever their memories should stirr a REAL CHANGE in our attitude to URBAN ORGANIC FARMING!The future is for small urban farmers as the BIG BUSINESS will move to other countries like Mexico and China to afford the labor factor after we send the migrant farmers home.Those who will  stay attached to the land will be those MEAK who will inherit and farm it.