I am not a trained environmentalist, but I like to learn as I go and hopefully inspire people along the way to do the same. There are some things that we think about that are obvious when it comes to how to help the environment. Other ideas and ways on how to protect our planet require a bit more thought.
Farming has existed, and will continue to exist, forever. If there were no farms, then we would have no food. There are many local farms in NEPA that want to facilitate positive change by promoting healthy living and respect for the environment.
If you start supporting the local farms in the area, in the long run you are really supporting yourself and your community. If these farms do well, then it helps the community as it does with any other business. The food you purchase at a local farm or farmers’ market is fresher; if you wanted it any fresher, you would have to grow it yourself. There are no shipping costs when you buy from a local farm. If you cut out the middlemen, the farmers can get a higher price for their produce and still sell it for less than you would find in a grocery store.
When you buy from a local farm, you not only get to see where the food comes from, you can also see how the animals are treated and raised (animal abuse on factory farms is a nightmare). There are so many local farms in this area, and with summer right around the corner, it’s a great way to get outdoors while shopping and supporting the community.
The easiest way to start out is to begin buying one item locally, like vegetables. Certain vegetables are only in season during specific times throughout the year. This will give you good practice on eating foods that are in season. Produce is probably one of the easier types of food to get locally. Once you get the produce down, you can start seeking out local dairy and meats. Decide which types of food you are interested in. That way you know what you are looking for. Then research local farms to see what they provide.
One of my favorite places to go is Forks Farm in Orangeville. Forks Farm is about eight miles north of Bloomsburg and offers fresh foods from local family farms as well as its own products. Pasture-raised meats, eggs, dairy, breads, baked goods and honey are just a few of the products available there. Another great place in the area is The Lands at Hillside Farms in Shavertown ( www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org). Hillside Farms has a dairy store with artisan-crafted farmstead cheese, milk, eggs from free-range chickens and lots of other local fresh food and produce. It’s a great place to go for the afternoon for a tour of the farm or even to just grab some fresh ice cream.
I encourage you to contact local farms in the area and set up a time to see the farm, that way you know exactly what you are getting. People are becoming more conscious of what they put into their bodies, and the interest in buying locally grown food is on the rise.
For information on Forks Farm go to forksfarmmarket.com.
For a list of local farms, visit www.magicyellow.com/category/Farms/Wilkes_Barre_PA.html.
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