Innovaton Valley
Innovaton
Valley
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Considering Community
Supported In these modern days of high tech novelties and constant busyness, a farm is for sale. It is actually quite a common transaction, and one that has repeated itself for nearly half a century. As real estate values increase, farmers fare better to sell or develop their land than grow crops or raise livestock. Furthermore, one might assume that farms in the Merrimack Valley have little value today, since most of our food comes from the global agriculture market. Milk and cheese come from Wisconsin, potatoes from Idaho, corn from the Midwest, and fruit from Florida and California. Yet this farm in Bradford cannot be developed as markets would have it. In what many community members consider a blessing, development of the land on Silsby Farm is restricted under a conservation easement. This leaves the farm in a precarious position. The 140 acres of fertile soil on the banks of the Merrimack River and scenic vistas of the city make the land highly valuable, as indicated by the hefty sale price of $4 Million. With development of the land restricted, how could a potential buyer expect to sustain the farm? This question is currently being pursued by Team Haverhill, a citizen group that is leading a long term planning initiative for Haverhill. Their research list includes possible partnerships with agricultural nonprofits, finding available grant money to buy the land, and imagining creative schemes to bring life back to the farm. Despite the valuable assets of the land, there is little chance that a single farmer would be able to purchase the farm and sustain an economically sound operation. Yet the land still has value: agriculture, timber, and a three family house. Before suggesting any solution, we believe a brief critique of the American food system is long overdue. Contrary to popular belief, the policies and free markets that shape our food economy are not perfect. It is true that modern agriculture has for the first time in the history of civilization been able to deliver seemingly endless supplies of exotic produce from around the world. Underneath these benefits, however, the costs of modern agriculture are quite alarming. They include soil erosion, water pollution, loss of wildlife and biodiversity, and disconnection between farmer and community. Furthermore, modern agriculture has become incredibly centralized; small farmers are marginalized as corporate farms condense. Corporate farming is extremely energy intensive, and most often depends on pesticides, herbicides, and even genetically modified crops to extract the bounty of the land. Especially in the meat industries, factory farming of meat and poultry raises questions of humane treatment, overcrowding, and disease control. Although we all enjoy the luxuries of modern excess, perhaps we should be questioning the security and integrity of our globalized food production system. For those who are skeptical of any problems, consider this paradox: a tomato grown 2,500 miles away costs less than a tomato grown in the next town. With the ever-increasing price of gas, one might ask how this is possible. Upon further investigation, imagine the contrast. The first tomato was grown in southern California on a large corporate farm that receives any number of federal and state subsidies. It was drenched with pesticides to keep away insects, and hormones were added to enlarge the fruit. It was picked by an immigrant worker being paid less than minimum wage on a temporary work visa. It was then shipped on a crate by a diesel truck across the country and unloaded with thousands of other tomatoes at the grocery store. When it reaches the Merrimack Valley, the tomato is hard and orange; its flavor is bland. The second tomato, grown without pesticides or hormones in a Massachusetts greenhouse, is organic, grown in small batches. It was produced by a small farming cooperative, by people who rejoice at the opportunity to farm. These farmers demand higher wages, yet the food is of the higher quality. The tomato’s color is bright red, its smell invigorating, and its natural delicious flavor is retained. With little imagination, it is not difficult to identify the dysfunction of our food system. The Community Solution The case for local agriculture is strong; benefits include healthier and better tasting produce, greater food security, better oversight of pesticides and pollution, preservation of natural landscapes, and education opportunities for the community. The battle to preserve small, local farms has been waging for decades, and wherever small farms still remain, they are supported by the community to which they belong. It is this connection that has fostered a revival of local farms and the rise of Community Supported Agriculture. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a concept that builds on common sense land values that are inherent to New England. CSA connects the grower to the consumer by developing a regional food supply and a strong local economy. The supply and demand are guaranteed each year at the start of the growing season. Similar to a country club, shares of the farm are bought by members of the community. The price reflects the combined costs of land payments, seeds and tools, salaries, and machinery maintenance. This budget is divided by the number of people the farm will support. Typical shares will provide weekly vegetables for a family of four throughout the growing season (May to October). In addition to shares, the produce from CSA is also sold at local farmers markets. Examples of CSA programs can be found throughout New England. In 1985, the very first CSA in the U.S. began right here in Massachusetts. Today, CSA’s exist in Lowell, Dracut and Waltham, and more than 1,500 CSA programs across the country help provide local alternatives to unsustainable food production. Leading the study of alternative agriculture programs is the Vegetable Program at UMASS/Amherst (www.umassvegetable.org), which stresses local, sustainable food production. Perhaps the greatest example of a CSA comes from Burlington, Vermont, home of the Intervale (www.intervale.org). Twenty years ago, the Intervale was an abandoned swath of land, polluted and overrun. Through community involvement, grants, and restoration efforts, the land is productive once again. A CSA program enlists students to help farm the land, food waste is patiently recycled into fertile compost, and public school children learn basic ecology. There is even a farm-incubator program that helps new farmers get their product into the local market. In short, the Intervale is a small farmer’s dream. Back in Bradford, the Silsby Farm might never become another Intervale, but there is no reason that a Community Supported Agriculture Program should not be seriously considered. The land is truly a jewel. Nestled in the heart of Bradford neighborhoods and with potential access along abandoned train routes, the potential of the farm is literally waiting to be realized. Neighboring the farm on Salem Street sits the Bradford Swim Club, the summertime home to hundreds of families. The swim club began in the 1960’s when a group of investors realized the value of a neighborhood recreation area. The club has no CEO or corporate filing, no profit margin to maintain; the membership dues cover salaries and maintenance. The nonprofit swim club serves the community and increases the quality of life for all who visit. With this model in mind, imagine the potential of a community supported farm project in Bradford. In these days, a successful farm is a resource for the entire community, not just one owner. Although, it is a struggle to understand how private land can benefit the community, this is a challenge that all towns and farms must face. In this case, since development is not possible, creative ways to unite the community and the farm might be the only solution.
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