Seven Great Questions to Ask Your Farmer

Most farmers who work farmer’s markets and farms stands are proud of what they produce.  And many want to tell just how they do it.

There’s the grass-fed beef farmer who firmly believes you don’t need to use grain to finish beef cattle. Or another farmer, Dominic Palumbo, who collects stinging nettles with gloves to provide greens early in the season.

Then again I never returned to the farm stand where the farmer talked glowingly about the power of Roundup, a herbicide that’s toxic to wildlife. I understand that it makes his job easier, but today there are a multitude of great alternatives.

Be Curious and Polite

Best not to turn the questions for farmers into an interrogation. Show your curiosity.  Slow down. Listen and learn. Chat as you shop. Other shoppers nearby might pick up a thing or two. If the market isn’t too crowded, start slowly.

1. “Beautiful day. So how’s the season been going for you this year?” If you live anywhere in the Northeast, the answer will be “very tough” or “a season to forget” -- the farm equivalent of fuggedaboudit. Better to start with “is there anything here you’re particularly proud of? Anything unusual?”
2. “When did you pick this fruit or vegetable? Is it ready to eat today? How do I store it?” Chefs will tell you that berries picked after a heavy rain are worthless. This year’s peaches were particularly insipid for the same reason. Some items like winter squash can last for months if stored correctly.
3. “Are you able to use organic or sustainable principles on the farm?” It’s so easy to ask “is this organic” but the fact is many farmers do not have the time and in some cases the money for organic certification. That doesn’t mean they don’t follow those very same principles on the farm.
4. “Does this produce come from your farm?” Small farms can grow an amazing amount of food but it is unlikely that they will have fruit trees and kale growing on the same patch. But that’s okay if your farmer gets produce from growers they know. It’s very likely they can talk about their neighbors’ practices.
5. “Do you use any synthetic products like pesticides or fungicides?” The correct answer for organic is no not ever. Dan Tawczynski of Taft Farms north of Great Barrington, Massachussets never sprays, but he still reserves the right to if his crop is in danger. Dan is as leery of chemicals as you would be. Well, actually, more so: He lives on his farm. Instead Dan employs “Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) where a farmer uses all of the means at his disposal in order to control a particular pest. IPM includes the extensive use of natural predators coupled with constant field scouting along with crop rotation and biological pest controls. Sprays can remain a part of an IPM program, but they are a last resort rather than the first line of defense”
6. What was the animal fed?  Was the animal raised outside or indoors?  Was there supplemental food? If so, when was it provided? Was the grain GMO (genetically modified)? You may have a great chicken, heritage breed, raised outdoors -- but then the farmer uses GMO feed.
7. At what point do you give your animals antibiotics?  Organic means never. In fact once an organically raised animal is given an antibiotic it is often sold to a non-organic farmer. But for many farmers the answer will be only when absolutely necessary to protect the animal. Lynn Mordas at Dashing Star Farm has greatly reduced deworming of her sheep through genetic selection, pasture rotation and by looking into her sheeps’ eyes.  Basically, Lynn will not let her sheep graze to where the grass is less than 2” high to minimize their contact with parasites. And the eyes? Well parasites create anemia, which leads to mucous around the eyes.

Knowing how your food is produced tends to become a topic of conversation with friends and family. Learn to appreciate the richer taste of farm-fresh eggs. You’ll try new vegetables, like that delicata squash that you thought was for the mantle but really works better on the plate. By asking questions you learn something new, show respect for the farmer and make an invaluable connection to your food and local community.

Resources: Fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticides where organic or sustainable is a must-buy.

For insights into farming and food in America, visit Friend of the Farmer

 

Follow David Becker on Twitter: www.twitter.com/friendthefarmer

Comments

[Farmgirl Susan]

These are great questions. I, too, think that most farmers are happy to talk about what they produce - and how they produce it. I know it can be hard to shut me up once I start talking about organic gardening or raising grass-fed lamb or the joys of watching baby chicks hatch or collecting farm fresh eggs or . . .

Another thing you can ask your farmer is what to do with something. Many people shy away from buying vegetables they're not familiar with (like kohlrabi or Swiss chard), but often all you have to do is ask and you'll be rewarded with preparation tips or a wonderful recipe. Hint: Swiss chard (one of my very favorite things to grow) is even more versatile than spinach, and I could (and have) made a meal out of kohlrabi puree.

[Billy Hell]

Obama's Pesticide-Pushing Nominee

Senior CropLife America (CLA), executive Dr "Isi" Siddiqui has been nominated for a key post: Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).

If confirmed, Siddiqui will be responsible for, among other things, negotiating international agreements governing the use of pesticides.

CLA is the American branch of CropLife International, a powerful global lobby; its members include agriculture giants such as Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto, and DuPont. Siddiqui joined the CLA in 2001 as a registered lobbyist, and since 2003 has served as its vice president of science and regulatory affairs. In that position, he's played a critical role in setting CLA’s domestic and international agenda.

In 2005, the group participated in secret talks with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Management and Budget on permitting pesticide testing on children. In 2006, CropLife America helped secure an exemption for American farmers from a worldwide ban on methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting pesticide. It has also actively worked to remove what it terms "trade irritants" on pesticides under NAFTA. In its 2008 annual report, CLA highlighted its "relentless" efforts to persuade negotiators to cut language "discriminatory to pesticides" from the 2008 Farm Bill. Meanwhile, its parent organization has fought to eliminate all tariffs on pesticides in World Trade Organization (WTO) trade negotiations.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/11/13-2

[IMissAmerica]

I'm a Master Gardener, active volunteer in my state program, and like to help out my farmer friend who grows 4 acres of vegetables every summer. He sells to local restaurants and on the farm stand. I also have herb and flower gardens that I tend on my own property. The comment #5 about spraying is well-intentioned but I believe it is a little misleading. The key word there is 'synthetic'.

First of all, using pesticides and fungicides is expensive. Most small farmers can't afford to use those products unless they have to due to conditions, and then only if it is likely to work. This summer we had an outbreak of late blight that no amount of spraying anything would have cured. However, there are some organic sprays that are perfectly fine for fighting pests and suppressing disease in the garden, and for feeding (fertilizing) plants too. The best of these are compost teas and there are myriad of recipes depending on your plants' needs. I use a fungicide tea made only from lemons to ward off powdery mildew and botritis on my herbs. Other sprays like horticultural oil are commonly used in organic gardening. Just because you see a farmer spraying something, don't jump to conclusions that it is something bad.

[Friendofthefarmer]

Heard that one New York paper when talking to an Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) specialist didn't want to use his correct title. Somehow what he practiced sounded dangerous rather than thoughtful. Again he advocated spraying only when necessary and to your point above making use of organic rather than synthetics. Will clarify with Great Barrington, MA farmer what he uses and update post if need be on www.friend­ofthefarme­r.

[exhiliration]

When I first saw this post, I was like ok, I dont have a personal famrer I just go to Giant. but okay now i think i understand

[SecondBase]

Excellent article.

Appreciate it.

[Friendofthefarmer]

Many thanks for your comment. Connection is key to changing the food chain in America. I like the video you posted and the topics like the "disconnect between the farm and consumer".

[Caron ChapmanCase]

I have been selling at local farmers markets for over 15 years. I love to talk about my plants and produce! (maybe because I work alone all week and am desperate for conversation!) Seriously, I like to answer questions. There are sellers at my market who don't grow their own and just wholesale it in from out of state. Ask questions and if you aren't getting answers, shop another stand. A busy stand with posted signs listing the product and price is a good bet. Many growers, like myself, are not certified organic but don't use sprays or pesticides. I can tell you why I don't need to spray or about my alternative methods of pest management.

[geoffj4]

I love that consumers are finally getting connected again with the farmers who produce their food. Just the fact that they are talking to farmers means they are at a farmers market eating REAL food with REAL nutritional value!

While people are looking to connect to farmers - farmers are also looking to connect to people. But since there isn't a people's market, farmers have to use other methods. To help build a better dialogue with consumers, California peach, plum and nectarine growers (There are over 1,100 of them) have grouped together to make short clips answering basic questions about the land, water, trees, pests and public policies that affect them as growers.

We went out to the orchards and filmed them and posted the videos to a YouTube page: (www.youtube.com/ppntv)

It's a great way for someone who doesn't live in the San Joaquin Valley or in an agricultural region to at least put a face to the people who produce their stone fruit.