Food. Your food. Something you eat everyday. A necessity for survival. Some have plenty or even too much. Some have barely any at all. Do you know where your food comes from? Who grows it? Is it local? Or did it come from a country half way around the globe?

The world is growing and growing fast. Many predict the world population will reach 9 billion by 2050. That’s a lot of people to feed! Not only is that a lot of people to feed but the amount of resources needed to keep 9 billion people from being very hungry are enormous. So much so that we will most likely feel the heat before we reach 2050. Oxfam reported, “One of the major conclusions of the Oxfam report is that food prices could easily double from today’s high levels by 2030, with climate change likely to be responsible for a major part of that increase.”

Many people from around the world are preparing and already asking for help. Third world nations with poor farming practices will definitely be hit the hardest but are also the focus of many studies, which show the vast untapped potential of these lands.

This of course involves investments from outside nations and a reliance on technology to increase food production. However, rich industrialized nations are slow to donate much needed money to help third world countries ‘beef’ up their farming practices. Justin Gillis of the New York Times told us, “The governments of the developed world have acknowledged a need to invest anew in global agricultural development, but have been slow to fulfill the $22 billion of pledges they made on this issue in 2009 in L’Aquila, Italy.”

Money is tight everywhere, however companies like Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition, are holding conferences on how to feed the world of 2050. Alltech said, “To feed that population, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that global food production must double by 2050 to avoid mass hunger.” Followed by, “this can only be achieved through improved technology.”

Alltech has partnered with companies like Domino’s Pizza, Jack in the Box, Wendy’s, Nestle, Murphy-Brown, Future Farmers of America, PetSmart and the Harvard School of Business. Companies like Alltech may have good intentions yet big business and farming have not really worked in the past.

After WWII the ‘business’ of agriculture became big business within the United States. A report created by UCDavis confirmed, “ Food and fiber productivity soared due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies that favored maximizing production.”

These new technologies did allow for food prices to drop drastically and provided safer work environments but there was a long-term effect that we are just now beginning to see.

Once again UCDavis, “Prominent among these are topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers, increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities.”

Industrialized farming also heavily relies on fossil fuels. The Union of Concerned Scientists told us, “This form of agriculture uses fossil fuels at many points: to run huge combines and harvesters, to produce and transport pesticides and fertilizers, and to refrigerate and transport perishable produce cross country and around the world.”

On top of the economic and environmental damage caused by industrialized farming there is the societal component. There is one particular characteristic of the societal component that is uniquely American:

 T]he average American wastes 1,400 kilocalories a day. [Kilocalories is another word for what Americans generally just call "calories."] That amounts to 150 trillion kilocalories a year for the country as a whole — about 40 percent of its food supply, up from 28 percent in 1974. Producing these wasted calories accounts for more than one-quarter of America’s consumption of freshwater, and also uses about 300 million barrels of oil a year. On top of that, a lot of methane (a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide) emerges when all this food rots.

Yet there is some light at the end of the tunnel. America has an opportunity to set things straight and utilize our resources to build better farms for tomorrow.  It will be a tough battle as the Grid reported, “less than two percent of the country actively farms and the average age of these farmers is 57.” However, many young American’s are returning to a simpler, back to basics lifestyle.

USDA data suggests that the number of hobby farms-those earning less than $10,000 per year-increased slightly in 2010, while the number of midsized farms-those which earn between $10,000 and $100,000, and account for most people who make a living off the land-decreased.

The information is all there. More people means more food. But if you are able to produce your own food and do so sustainably you are one step ahead of the game. Not only that but you can also share with others how to do so and that is the point of my project. I want to dive into growing a small amount of food from home. I want to go back to nature and experience that connection to Earth and my environment. I also want to learn if it is feasible for a modern day working family to make that happen?

For the past 50 years the United States has developed and worked agriculture based on industrialized practices, which did allow for food prices to drop substantially and produced copious amounts of food, however the long term affects have left us with soil depletion, dirty water supplies and unsustainable mono-culturally grown food.

The introduction of new technologies and big business has turned agriculture up side down. Companies like Monsanto have a vested interest in working with large monoculture farmers supplying them with genetically modified seeds and crop protection chemicals. Business mixing with agriculture has spawned dead-end legislation and communication leaving many feeling frustrated.

Those frustrated have said a shift to smaller farms, not necessarily organic, can help walk the human civilization towards a healthier future environmentally, nutritionally and even economically. Melissa Moore wrote, “In the United States the smallest farms, those of 27 acres or less, have more than ten times greater dollar output per acre than larger farms.” Not only do smaller farms work financially they also create a bio-diverse culture that promotes healthier food and soil by using practices like crop rotation, intercropping and taking advantage of organic fertilizers.

However, the question still remains: what can we do to grow enough food for the growing global population and do so sustainably? Many different people are asking this question including government agencies from around the world, local foodies, colleges and universities, farmers and environmental agencies.

The conversation keeps pointing back to small localized farms that produce food for those within their immediate reach. This conversation has lead to a strong focus on urban areas, at least within the U.S., where farming practices have long left the city. Urban farming not only transforms unused sections of cities but also strengthens communities by providing a vested interest in growing healthy food, which can only be down by working together.

By teaching farming and farming using organic practices we may be able to guarantee that as the human population continues to grow that we will have enough food. At the very least we will be prepared to take care of ourselves and most likely begin to grow stronger, healthier communities.

The parade begins in New Hope, Pennsylvania and crosses the Delaware River ending in Lambertville, New Jersey. Running about an hour in length, the parade features local marching bands, government officials and artisans.

One particular marching band stood out from the rest with their brightly colored costumes and silly dance moves…the Mummers!

Now in it’s 15^th successful year, Winter Festival 2012 offers fun for people of all ages and is brought to you by the Twin Rivertown Projects Inc. A non-profit corporation run entirely by volunteers, the Twin Rivertown Project is made up of local business owners and residents. All money raised by the event is donated to the Parks and Recreation Departments of New Hope, Lambertville and Solebury and to Community Organizations like Schools, Police, Rescue and Social Service organizations.

For more information on the Lambertville New Hope Winter Festival please visit Winter Fest 2012

Donna McNally, a local nurse, knows what it is like to struggle. As a single mother of three, now grown children, Donna once stood on the receiving end of the line asking for help from those more fortunate then herself.

Donna, now remarried, has teamed up with her husband Charlie McNally to give back. Together with friends and family, they have borrowed space at the St. Marks Lutheran Church in Pennsburg, PA to cook food and hand out presents to families in need.

Some of Donna’s family and friends not only cooked food but also raised $350 in gift cards so that the families could purchase some well need supplies.

The sound of garden-fresh juice being made is music to my ears and my belly. As the noise of cutting celery, peeling carrots and chopping ginger, beets and apple fill the air my stomach is excited to indulge in the deliciousness. As the Champion Juicer fires up, the electricity of the moment is almost too much to bear. What better way to intake vitamins and detox the body then by drinking organic fruits and veggies.

The theme is “The City” and will feature speakers like Glen J. Abrams, Philadelphia Water Department’s manager of Policy and Strategic Initiative; Haas&Hahn, Dutch street artists and Dr. Jeffery Brenner, founder of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers. The conference will provide interactive opportunities for both attendees and speakers.

Tickets are $100, which also very exciting and much more affordable than a ticket to the Ted Conference in California.  The cost of the ticket includes the day’s TedxTalk, lunch, refreshments and the post-event reception.  To get more information or to purchase tickets visit:tedxphilly.com

TEDxPhilly Promo from Free Film Collective on Vimeo.

Ottsville Farmers Market (Image Courtesy of Ottsville Farmers Market)

Somewhere in between Philadelphia and New York City lies a little town with very strong locavore roots. That town is Ottsville, Pennsylvania and it is home to the Ottsville Farmers Market. Now in its third season, the Farmers Market takes place every Friday evening from 4 to 8 PM and is located at Linden Hill Gardens on Route 611.

PhillyBurbs.com reports that this year’s market season has extended hours and that there is always something happening like pizza cooking in a wood-burning oven or some type of food being grilled over a fire. It is also not unusual to find a musician or band playing on the grounds as well as a wide variety of local foods and crafted goods. On this particular trip, the Farmers Market is giving away a 5 Month regional frozen vegetable and fruit winter CSA Subscription from Winter Sun Farms.

Same of the mainstay vendors include companies like Homestead Coffee Roasters, the Easton Salsa Company, Mainly Mushrooms and so many more. The highlighted or ‘Guest Vendors’ on this day include Ridge Valley Maple Syrup, Castle Valley Mill and Neil’s Sharpening Service.

I actually ran into Patrick Mahlaney, owner of Brig O’Doon Coffee House and asked him about his experience with the Farmers Market. Patrick gave me a bit of the background information on the market explaining that, “the first two seasons were sponsored with a sizable investment from [Terry] Brett, who viewed the market as a wonderful opportunity to support local business. Terry Brett is the owner of Kimberton Whole Foods and along with Jerry Fritz, the co-creator of the Ottsville Market.

Jerry Fritz graduated from Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture and later opened Linden Hill Gardens. His career received a large boost after he appeared on the Martha Stewart Show to teach viewers how to build a ‘Deer-Resistant Garden.’ In relation to how this has affected sales at the market it is uncertain. Patrick of Brig O’Doon also voiced his concern over the lack of traffic stating: “I am not sure what the issue is, but it seems like the Farmers Market is not drawing the crowds I thought it would be. We would really like to see the Farmers Market succeed.”

Flooded Farm Field (Image provided by Flickr)

Hurricane Irene danced along the east coast and left an interesting impact on the local food economy. Even though Irene was downgraded to a tropical storm, she still caused a significant amount of damage. Central Bucks County is an area close to the Delaware River and one rich in local farms and health food stores. As the water levels increased there was nothing to do but wait to see what the final outcome would be. The Huffington Post reported that ten states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region saw record high levels of water as rivers, creeks and streams flowed over their banks.

According to USA Today, Hurricane Irene displaced 2.3 million people in ordered evacuations and disrupted electrical service to 4.5 million homes and businesses across the east coast. Many residents and business owners were affected in a variety of ways. I spoke to Kaitlynn Stupak, Store Coordinator for Kimberton Whole Foods, about how the storm affected their business.

Kaitlynn told me that the week Irene made it to our area her store’s sales exploded as customers prepared for the unknown. After the storm hit, she noticed that customers were coming in more frequently but purchasing smaller quantities due to a lack of power. “A lot of folks commented on how resourceful they had to be and that it was like camping at home,” Kaitlynn said. People had to cook with gas grills and use their swimming pools and creeks to flush toilets as power and water supplies were cut off.

The affects on the food economy were a bit different from my end. As an office manager for Suburban Organics, a company that sources organic food from local farmers and delivers to residential areas, we dealt with customers cancelling subscriptions and farmers experiencing water logged produce.  Many customers called me to place their accounts on an indefinite hold because they were being evacuated or had lost power. Trisha Borneman of Blooming Glen Farm expressed: “We need to ‘batten down the hatches’ in preparation for the storm. Even though plants are resilient there is only so much you can do if you’re expecting 10 inches of rain.”

Farm Friends (Image provided by Flickr)

I have had many jobs over the years and by far the most rewarding was working on a CSA. It will push you to the edge of your physical limits while you work in rain, extreme heat and other not-so-comfortable conditions. Yet it will also create an inner transformation as you develop deep relationships and a profound respect for Mother Earth.

Ever since my time at Blooming Glen CSA I find it hard to walk into a big brand grocer and be excited by the selection of food. Even fruit and vegetables marked ‘organic’ are not safe from my inner monolog. I know that most have been shipped from California and are not as fresh. There is nothing like biting into a local apple or cantaloupe that you nourished to fruition.

Working, volunteering or just visiting a farm is something that everyone should experience at least once and with that being said I would like to introduce a few resources.

The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance is an organization associated with the Snipes Farm and Education Center, which is working towards building a sustainable food supply in Bucks County. They are hosting an event on Wednesday September 7, 2011 at 6 pm. The event is part of their Summer Fun Series that explores what it is like to work on a historic family-owned and operated farm. The outdoor classroom experience ends with a potluck supper and guided tour all free of charge.

Another great way to get acclimated to the farming scene is to attend local Farmer’s Markets. There are plenty in the Bucks County area and many offer family friendly events and activities. There is still time to visit the local Farmer’s Markets before the season ends and you might even get to dance to a bluegrass jam!

A Short List of Bucks County Farmer’s Markets

http://buckinghampacivic.org/FarmersMkt.htm

http://lindenhillgardens.com/farmers-market/

http://www.pennridge.org/p/p-farmmarket1.html

I would really like to hear about your experiences working on a CSA or visiting a farm. What did you find rewarding about the experience? Did you find the work hard? How did your CSA celebrate the harvest? Or what farm did you visit and what did they grow or raise? Please comment below!