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2016 Logan County Fall Farm Outlook Magazine
Lincoln Daily News
Oct. 27, 2016
33
If not corn or soybeans... what then?
You may be familiar with a couple of the catch
phrases: ‘Field to Table,’ or ‘Buy Fresh, Buy Local.’
A whole host of experts and representatives in
agriculture, finances, marketing, government and
health fields are working today to bring about
change in our food system and the way we eat - how
food is grown - making fresh foods available locally
- educating Americans in how to buy, cook and eat
quality fresh foods.
The
“Eat like you matter”
movement spurred by a
national health crisis is just setting its roots.
Dr. Nicole Florence of Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital, Memorial Health Systems said if obesity
could be eliminated, diabetes would no longer exist.
Doing away with this one disease that is a $150
billion cost in the healthcare industry would have an
enormous impact on medical costs, insurance costs
and more, for all Americans.
What this multi-industries consolidated movement
offers those in agriculture is alternatives in
production, whether converting a portion of your
operation from conventional to value added organic
field crops or carving out a few acres for niche
fruit, vegetable or ornamental crops that go to local
market.
Both organic and local food farming have expanding
support systems that offer training, mentoring,
finance options to start or shift an operation, and
shared marketing opportunities for those who might
be willing to do something a little different, work a
little harder for something more profitable.
Though Richard Ritter from the Gridley Branch of
Flanagan State Bank had a farming background,
three years ago he began to research more about
sustainable farming. He found that information was
By Nila Smith,
with contributions
by Jan Youngquist
ALMH employees and other volunteers staff a number of stations
offering information and services. Photos by Jan Youngquist
Growing alternative crops for more profit
Continued ►