Category: Food

I’ve recently begun working with a Rhode Island farmer who has ‘neighbor problems’ and, therefore, Town problems.

The fellow has a diverse farm in a rural community. From a production perspective, it is exactly the kind of operation the State needs – substantial vegetables, free range chickens, a small herd of cows, a small piggery, dog breeding, and a horse training center his daughter operates.

Unfortunately, the current piggery and chicken shed abut a residential neighbor. The neighbor has objected to the chickens and pigs…and the Town has decided to attempt to deny him the piggery and free range chickens by contending with a zoning variance he obtained when he purchase the property in 1997.

He has attempted to discuss changing the land uses to move the piggery and chicken barn (he even spent $8,000 to build a new piggery pad)…but got nowhere. From my perspective, a new land use and farm management plan, with some help from USDA NRCS on conservation practices, would solve the neighbor’s issues and make it an exemplary farm….one we could use to demonstrate practices to new farmers.

But now he is threatened with the loss of his farm livelihood through a Town initiated legal process. I’m hopeful we can gather ‘cooler’ heads and resolve a thoughtful solution.

It’s a classic conflict for densely settled communities. ( See Article)

If you’re already a kale and lentils kind of person (we know there are a lot of frugal foodies out there) — you won’t be surprised by this finding: According to a new study from some economists at the USDA, eating a healthy diet isn’t necessarily more expensive than a diet loaded with sugar and fat. In fact, fruits and vegetables are often cheaper when you calculate the cost in a smarter way.

The NPR Report…with a link to the USDA Study

This morning my wife reinforced that I had been living life in an artificial bubble of NGOs and other private do-gooders -many of them spending most of their time gathering money to maintain their ‘do-gooderness’.

She is right! A year ago I started working with a number of young Rhode Island farmers…and Lord have they changed my ways! There ain’t no abstractions about growing things…and growing things without artifical help.

One of those new colleagues, Greg Gerritt (who is working on compost initiatives) sent this interesting article on monoculture agriculture (and the current issues with weed resistance).

Article