Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

Last night we took a break from the daily grind and sat down and watched a movie. We have received Food Inc in the mail and absolutely loved it. I know many of you have already seen it by now, but if you haven’t, it’s a must see. (Food Inc Trailer (2:16))

While the ideas & observations put forth in the movie were not new to my family, it was a good reminder as to why we make the buying decisions we make. The movie also made me all the more thankful for the community we live in!

For example, when we buy beef, we always buy it from our local co-op which sells Nevada County Free Range beef. I’ve met the owner, I’ve seen the cows grazing on grass just outside of town, and I know where the beef I feed my family comes from. A few years ago, when we lived in a large city, we would buy packaged beef that had been shipped in from half way around the world! Having changed our buying practices, our old buying habits seem rediculous. This made me VERY thankful that we have a local, grass fed, beef supplier.

Chickens, however, are another story. I know of at least four local farms that process chickens (I’ve learned of them via our Local Food Coalition e-mail list), however their prices seem to start at $10 a bird and go quickly up to $20 a bird. This is hard to swallow when I can buy TWO chickens for $9.50 at a big box wholesale store. I guess I find myself in the “artificially cheap food” vs “organic &/or local food” price personal battle. In 2010 I plan on visiting these farms I’ve learned of. I hope to find a way to afford and/or buy many local chickens in bulk this year. One this is for sure, after watching Food Inc, I don’t think I can stomach buying chickens at the big box store for some time!

May we all find more local (& organic) food options in 2010!

Originally written for FreshmanFarmer.GrowOrganic.com

I am pretty new to the “Buy Local” or “Know Your Grower” concept, I joined my first CSA only last year. In that short amount of time I have become a huge supporter of the local food movement. Joining and volunteering on a CSA farm was so influential in my life that since becoming enlightened to the movement I have changed my career path, my eating habits, and my leisure activities to align with the movement, even my politics have been effected.

Lee helps Andrew put the Agribon out

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