Locavoresaurus

In 2007 Oxford Dictionary released it's annual: 

Words of the Year

The 2007, Word of the Year was... Locavore!

Uh... what?

Locavore just edged out...

• previvor... "a person who has not been diagnosed with a form of cancer but has survived a genetic predisposition for cancer"
• colony collapse disorder... "a still-unexplained phenomenon resulting in the widespread disappearance of honeybees from beehives, first observed in late 2006" 
• tase... "to stun with a Tazer"
• cougar... apparently, this is more than a cat. "an older woman who romantically pursues younger men"

While cougar would have won my vote, locavore took the majority vote. 

locavore:   A person whose diet consists principally of locally grown or produced foods.

locavoresaurus: A dinosaur that whose diet consists principally of locally grown or produced dinos. 

While there is no such thing as a "local" eating dinosaur (I like to have some fun), there is a new creature and movement emerging across the United States that focuses on eating "local" foods. A couple of reasons for locavores to chose this diet is:

1. It is environmentally friendly.
2. They trust local, family farmers. 
3. It is fresh and tastes better. 

 My first and foremost point: There is nothing WRONG with consuming local foods! We each have our own preferences in what we wear, where we live, what jobs we pursue- so it is no surprise that we will differ in the food we consume! However, some of the undertones associated with local foods do worry me so I am just going to throw out some of my own thoughts on agricultural production as a whole and local foods.

Environmentally Friendly

  In order for a product to be considered "local", it must travel LESS THAN 400 miles from its origin to the marketplace. Locavores are concerned about the environment and the negative externalities associated with agricultural production and shipping: fuel emissions, pesticide applications, water quality & air quality. By purchasing legitimate, local food you will definitely make an impact on fuel emissions. Carbon and other fuel emissions are a tough thing to eliminate from our lives, and even something as simple as transporting food, turning on a light or driving home- will have an impact on the environment in some way. What must be understood is that we as agriculturalists care about the environment too. We see that caring for the environment is important to our consumers as well.  

Farmers are the original stewards of the land, practicing best management techniques to ensure protection of the environment, including precious water resources here in Minnesota and around the country. 

Technology advancements have allowed us to minimize the amount of land we use and develop and maximize our production of food. Technology helps us be more tactful in our application of nutrients and conservative in applying pesticides.

Heck! Agriculturalists have even implemented technology that captures and breaks down the notorious methane gas AKA- livestock manure odor AKA-fart.  

Trust and the Family Farm

 I can quite easily relate to how buying food "locally" or at a farmers market would impact my view of agriculture, having none previously. By purchasing local foods, I can see it as supporting the local economy, small business owners and farms. Additionally, when buying foods at a farmers market, I don't just see the "Chaquita" banana sticker, or the "DelMonte" label. I see the face of the person responsible for my food. The food that I will eat, and rely on to live and maintain a healthy life. We as agriculturalists need to continuously work to share our story, our voice and our face with the consumers we provide for. Large, corporate, conglomerate- what ever you want to call it- are not always viewed positively by consumers. It is SO important to know that all food: vegetables, fruits, grains, meat, dairy and even the sweet stuff- is grown and produced with the same integrity; Family farm or Corporate farm. By 2050, 9 billion people will be in need of food. Not just for a day. For their life. So theoretically, that is 8,212,500,000,000 meals for a year. Agriculture cannot be divided, we must have one voice. All forms of producing food is good, as long as the integrity of rural values and ethics are upheld.  

Check out this great video by Syngenta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IthhvVwEHDA

 

MMM-MM-MMM-M Good.

 I don't' have too much to say... It is to each of us, our own preference. I won't judge you for liking the taste of local food vs. other food as long as you don't judge me for not liking the taste of mushrooms!

Seeya!

...its kind of funny. Every time I typed "locavore" I got the red squiggly line underneath it because it is "not a word", but I added it to the dictionary because it got really annoying clicking "ignore."