This is an exciting time for farmers and ranchers of all types and sizes as agriculture is a bright spot in the American economy. In 2011, agricultural exports hit a record high and producers saw their best incomes in nearly 40 years. At the same time -- with the help of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) -- we've seen important growth in markets for local and regional food, a multi-billion dollar industry that complements traditional agricultural production.
Two and a half years ago, I launched USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) initiative to help support this important trend in agriculture. It's the public face of our commitment to help agricultural operations of all sizes take advantage of new opportunities, meet the growing demand for local and regional food and succeed in America's diverse marketplace.
Since then, farmers across the country have built nearly 4,500 hoop houses with support from USDA. These structures function as a sort of green house, helping growers extend their growing seasons to sell produce during the colder months.
We've also supported the growth of farmers markets. Today there are more than 7,100 around the country where farmers and ranchers are selling locally to improve their incomes -- that is a more than 50% increase over the past 3 years. To help producers serve larger institutional customers like schools and hospitals, USDA has helped fund new regional infrastructure like cold storage warehouses, commercial kitchens and local slaughter facilities.
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food is also having an impact on the future of farming and agriculture. Our support for local and regional food is helping recruit and retain a new generation of farmers and ranchers. Many young and beginning farmers start out in local markets. Some stay there, and some scale up.
Now we are unveiling the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass, an interactive web-based document and map that highlights USDA support for local and regional food projects. It looks at case studies of farmers, ranchers, business and communities using this new segment of agriculture to create jobs and economic growth.
Local and regional food systems are about opportunity. The opportunity for our country's farmers, ranchers and growers to meet growing customer demand and to expand access to healthy foods. Opportunities for entrepreneurs to start small businesses such as food processors, distributors, food hubs and markets.
The KYF Compass shares the stories -- with narrative, an interactive map, photos and video -- of Americans that are innovating and taking advantage of these opportunities to create jobs and chart a stronger future for American agriculture. It is a tool to help navigate USDA resources that support local and regional food systems. And it is a jumping off point so you can join the national conversation about where our food comes from.
In the years to come we'll continue to see these new local and regional markets expand, along with agricultural businesses that serve them. This segment of American agriculture will play an important role in revitalizing rural communities: spurring job growth, keeping more wealth in rural communities and more farmers on their land.
The KYF Compass reminds us that today's agriculture industry is more diverse and more vibrant than ever. USDA is committed to keeping pace with the needs and progress of American agriculture by supporting new markets and movements that will keep farmers profitable and help create middle class jobs across the country.
Kristin Kirkpatrick, M.S., R.D., L.D.: Eggs -- What Are You Really Getting for Your Dollar?
We cannot blame each others, besides we have to think fast to solve the main problems.
1- The Climate change directly causes damages to crops.
2- Not only humans suffering from different disease but birds and animals too. In respect of this globe climate changes world wide can be seen.
But the biggest CRISIS of food shortage is coming ahead of us. Beside we criticize each other why don't we take the positive steps today. We all have seen and read these reports available on this Silicon Valley.
The Biggest problem is the high demand of consumer’s.
Ali Farm (Project) with its Proper Slaughtering Factory. Means that the chicken should be properly slaughter the main poultry bone disease in humans is because of the blood which remains in the body of chicken meat "If Not Properly Slaughtered".
a- Always use fresh tab water to wash the fresh meat before cooking.
b- Always use blow full of water to dip the frozen chicken meat, wash it before cooking.
c- Always eat full cooked food.
We have to educate consumers to change the daily style of cooking and eating habits. Our selection of comfort also play’s a major role of causing many daises in our body.
Jahanzeb Ali
CEO / Owner
Ali Farm (Project)
http://alifarmca.com
pHarma realized the problem in 1971 and addressed it with synthetic "sulfur" drugs like Vioxx which were advertised directly to us the consumer.
So if Tom is serious then he can help us all know and love our “organic” local farmer, we have no need for corporate food and we will demonstrate that in the coming weeks.
Food does not come in box.
Until we repair the sulfur cycle Organic Sulfur a crystal food is available from your local snake oil peddler or a study director, all of the modern diseases given to us by Ezra Taft Benson, and the synthetics of science respond when sulfur is added to ones diet.
Food is organic, period, and those local farmers won’t sell us anything else!
The Cellular Matrix Study
Body Human Project est. 1999
If seasons can be extended, it will help everyone so it's a sound move. There is another side benefit to those that care as local produce gets a lot less spraying that the big commercial operations. The small locals avoid it as it costs too much and only do it when they have to..
Ali Farm (Project) Canada coming soon is looking for 4 similar sub projects in USA, the project is strategically design to open and create jobs and employments for locals. visit http://alifarmca.com a project is going to be the biggest producers of White meat and Eggs throughout USA, to meet growing customer demand and to expand access to healthy foods.
We have to make sure and put all the things together and have to educate peoples to play their equal roles by providing information. I think educating them in this similar manners will play its vital role in economical development by enhancing opportunities of farming throughout the country and oblige the projects which contains positive subsistence to grow and to become self sufficient.
Jahanzeb Ali
CEO / Owner
Ali Farm (Project)
We are providing Opportunities for entrepreneurs to start small businesses such as distributors, retailer food hubs and markets and trying to create local jobs throughout with our production outlets.
We are trying to provide hassle free environments and easy steps in installations as we are still waiting for recommendations to install the project.
The Financial Institute are also not playing there positive roles in this regards beside they can put easy steps to achieve and make possible for economical development in the farming which can play a vital role in the development of the country as backbone.
We have to take very positive steps toward food farming industries.
Regards
Jahanzeb Ali
CEO / Owner
Ali Farm (Project)