Three Benefits to support your local farm.

When you think about being more intentional with your decisions, how does that feel?

It makes me feel in control and purposeful.

It is a big belief of mine to be intentional in most things I do. One of the hardest, but most rewarding, ones is being intentional on where my food comes from. Or being intentional on who I give my money to.

“Buy Local” + “Support Local” are very common and noble sayings. But what does it actually mean when you support a small business?

Now, because I am a farmer, I’d love to give you a couple reasons why buying from a small, local farm is in your benefit!

Three benefits to supporting a local farm

1)     Knowing and SEEING where your food comes from

This is easily one my most favorite parts about owning a farm and supporting other farms. You get the peace of mind that comes from knowing where your food comes from.

If the knowledge wasn’t enough (we all know it is), then the seeing is even better! The witnessing.

Each week, wonderful people come to the farm for milk. They bring their kids, and their kids get to see Elsa (who is typically sunbathing and chewing her cud) enjoying life.

They get to see the very cow that gives them the milk they drink! There is nothing more special to me!

2)     Independence

It can’t be said enough how important it is to feel a sense of independence.

Alaska’s food system has a strong dependence on outside sources. It is a bit unsettling.

When you buy from a small farmer, who probably lives very close to you, you are securing a local food source for your family. One that can’t be taken away by a huge economic crash or a natural disaster thousands of miles away.

Of course, that same freedom can be said for Alaska as a whole. You aren’t just securing your own food source but your neighbors as well. If times of hardship were to come that farmer you’ve supported would still be around to serve a lot more people.

3)     Supporting more than one at a time.

You may be purchasing a product from just one farmer, but actually you are strengthening an entire web of other farmers too.

Most farmers purchase their supplies from other local farms.

On our farm we buy local Alaska hay and grains! Some of us give or sell our by-products to other farmers who use it.

It’s a tightly intertwined community of people, spending much of their time striving to help your family.

And YES, that includes the flower farmer!

My intention is to inspire you to get to know what is important to you. And to spend time thinking about where your food comes from.

I think there are many benefits to supporting local businesses! Farmers aren’t any different.

I encourage you to reach out and get to know at least one farmer, near you, this summer! Send an email, make a phone call, or take a tour!

Thanks for reading.

With love,
Halie Rady