Small Farm Central

Congratulations - it's a great time to be in local food, despite the rapid deterioration of the rest of the economy.

I've heard this sentiment whispered, but one of Pittsburgh's prominent organic farmers, Don Kretschmann, shouts "We're Booming" with a column in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Kretschmann writes:

"The local food business is thriving -- despite the "real economy."

Demand for locally produced food is far outstripping supply. In my 30 years farming and marketing locally, this was our best year ever. More telling is that there has been no big "bubble" but just steady growth over that entire time. And throughout this fall there was a steady drumbeat -- like never before -- from those wishing to buy our local produce next season. I hear from other farmers around the state and other regions the very same thing.

What is making it thrive are some really fundamental factors and certainly these would lead one to think it isn't some flash-in-the-pan phenomenon but a truly sustainable movement.

This is exactly what I am hearing from farmers across the country as well.

It is time to tell your story even louder. Food lies at the center of health, environment, economy and energy; that is a great place to be right now. Food is impossible to ignore and the "main stream" is starting to recognize that.

Despite the macroeconomy, I suspect this year and many to come will be good to farmers producing authentic food.