Small Family Farms are a crucial part of our world, not only because of the nutritious food it provides us, but also because it helps to promote and protect regional food systems and contributes to the overall environmental quality. With Food supplies uncertain and the number of farmers decreasing day-by-day now is a perfect time to vote with your feet and chose to show up for small family farms. One of the best and most enjoyable ways to help save the farmlands is to visit our farm. By doing this, not only are you helping provide a steady source of income for the hard-working farmer, but you’re also contributing to the local economy as well.
Aside from this, there are some other very good reasons and benefits of visiting the farm. Farms are great destinations to visit and get away from the urban jungle, get some much needed fresh air, and even learn a few new things while connecting with the local food system. Here are some great reasons why you should visit farms every week.
Connect with the farmers that grow your food and their families
Wendell Berry one of my farming heroes said, “ A significant part of the pleasure of eating is in one's accurate consciousness of the lives and the world from which food comes.” Learn the origins of the food you buy, and buy the food that is produced closest to your home. Learn the names of your farmers and why they love growing food with you in mind. The idea that every locality should be, as much as possible, the source of its own food makes several kinds of sense. The locally produced food supply is the most secure, freshest, and the easiest for local consumers to know about and to influence. Backing up real farms and farmers means you are securing food production for generations to come.
Whenever possible, deal directly with a local farmer, gardener, or orchardist. This important relationship with your farmers helps eliminate the whole pack of merchants, transporters, processors, packagers, and advertisers who thrive at the expense of both producers and consumers.
There are Endless Educational Benefits of visiting farms.
Farms are magical places of learning with numerous hands on experiences. Learn about the importance of pollinators-bees. We can all learn something from the farm. You can indulge in some not only fun but also educational activities for both, adults and children! Whether it’s teaching children first hand about the different kind of plants and animals and where does their food come. There is an abundance of activities that can help stimulate one’s appetite for learning.
Numerous Mental Health Benefits
The researchers noted that work with farm animals may improve mental health in part because it gives a person physical contact with another living being. Routines that include activities like feeding and caring for other living creatures may also promote self-esteem and confidence.
Perfect Playground for families- Immune boosting soil to play in.
In a new book called Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Developing Immune System, co-author Dr. Jack Gilbert says that exposing children to the everyday microbes found outside in nature—including dirt—can help a child develop a strong, healthy immune system. During this global pandemic every time my hands are in the dirt planting or harvesting I feel grateful to be a farmer.
Find the Healthiest Produce
Fresh fruit and veggies are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients that are essential for good health. In fact, research has shown that a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
Breath in some Mountian Fresh Air
Breathing in fresh air makes for Cleaner lungs. Decreased asthma and allergies symptoms. Improved skin appearance. Helps digestion. its a Psychological and emotional stabilizer.
Promotes Better mood and normalized sleep patterns. Reduces chances of lung, heart, and arterial diseases.
Enjoy Breathtaking views
It is a proven stress reliever. The Science says that visiting a location surrounded by greenery and other beautiful, natural sights can improve your emotional and mental health for days.
Connect with our Farm Animals.
By engaging children in stories about farm animals, you're teaching them how to love and care about the creatures in our world. “It builds upon their natural curiosity to help them understand that animals also need to be warm, fed, and cared for, and that also translates into caring about others,
Find Affordable Fruits and Veggies
Whenever possible, deal directly with a local farmer, gardener, or orchardist. This important relationship with your farmers helps eliminate the whole pack of merchants, transporters, processors, packagers, and advertisers who thrive at the expense of both producers and consumers. This Promotes a better price for you the consumer and a better price for the farmer. Win/Win.
Support Local Agriculture-No farms means no local food.
When you decide to visit the farm, you’re not just visiting the farm. You’re contributing towards building a more sustainable food system. And one sustainable food system always starts with restoring our connection between food producers and food consumers.
Have that in mind next time you decide to visit the local farm. Remember that by doing so, you contribute not only to supporting those businesses but also to preserving the health of our agricultural community, environment, and local food system.
As a Nurse Practitioner, Cider maker and Farmer I want to warmly invite you all to come visit our farm, Mt View Orchards often this fall. Your health and your families health is the reason why we grow food for our community. We are lucky to farm in the Upper Hood River Valley and grow food for our community and the local food bank. For everyone needs to be enjoying our 2021 abundant harvests this year.
We are Open daily 10-5pm and its a perfect time of year to buy directly from farmers at more affordable pricing and to know the farm where your food was lovely grown. Often times the fruit in the big box stores are from LAST years harvests and when you buy on a small family farm you can take home tree ripened fruit from that very day. We love growing food with you in mind so come enjoy our farm today.
xo you’re grateful farmers, Trina, Kenny and Lyle and Ruthie
