Why Local Food?
In the Miami Valley, we have the ability to create good jobs around healthy food, in harmony with nature, and become a more resilient community by investing in a better food system.
We believe supporting local farmers benefits everyone and improves community food security. It’s a smart way to invest in our local economy and care for the environment.
New farmers face obstacles to their success. That’s where HHI comes in. We have been working with farmers and local nonprofits to remove these barriers and help our small farmers thrive.
HHI’s support through microgrants, food safety certifications, access to tools, local food advocacy campaigns, and legislative advocacy efforts can make the difference between success and failure.
For a thriving, resilient Miami Valley, support local growers
America has always been a farming nation – even today, 1 out of 7 jobs in Ohio are connected to agriculture. However, there has been a dangerous change in the last few years and many people aren’t aware.
America is now importing more food than we export. Even more troubling is our increasing dependence on other nations for fruits and vegetables – the kind of healthy food that is so vital is supporting children growing up strong and helping adults avoid illness. We are now importing twice as much fresh produce as we were just a dozen years ago.
Ways to Support Local Growers
Look for local food when you go to the store. Ask them to carry more local produce.
Look for farmers markets setting up throughout the summer and shop for the healthiest food you can get.
Dine at local restaurants that use local ingredients. You get a fresh, delicious meal while supporting our local economy.
Purchase CSAs (community-supported agriculture) from growers like Mission of Mary. With CSAs, you get a box of fresh produce every week or two straight from the farm. It guarantees fresh food for you and income for the farmer. Anything you don’t use can be donated to a food pantry.
Podcasts About Local Regenerative Farming
Meet some of the Ohio farmers working to provide local food grown using a healthy, regenerative method.
by Sherifat Alabi
Doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership at the Ohio State University.
Regenerative agriculture offers solutions that enable farmers to become good environmental and social stewards. Many small-scale farmers, new and returning farmers have increasingly adopted these practices, e.g., cover cropping, crop rotation, no-till, composting, etc. Yet, there is a need to expand knowledge, awareness, and its adoption among the populace. While agricultural knowledge is passed from generation to generation, the significant roles of small-scale regenerative farmers in stimulating food sovereignty are rarely emphasized.
The lived experiences of regenerative farmers detail the motivation, challenges, opportunities, and lessons that have sustained their regenerative practices, including their vision for their communities.
Regenerative farmers have a passion for growing healthy food and resilient communities. They are motivated by their community to re-imagine their collective future together.
Our choices impact our health, community, farmers’ livelihoods, and the planet. Therefore becoming receptive to and valuing the voices of small-scale regenerative farmers could positively impact current and future food security. More importantly, we all must empower each other to become agents of change and save our future.
Join us in understanding the story, value, and impact of small-scale regenerative farmers by listening to the stories of Ohio-based regenerative farmers.
