From the Farmer’s Journal – December , 2011

Here at Elderberry Pond 2010 was one of the best growing seasons we have ever had, and 2011 is starting out even better.  One crop in particular that was outstanding last year was our apple crop.  The certified organic apples were large, nearly blemish free, deeply colored , sweet and crisp.  Best of all we were able to sell them at a price lower than Wal-Mart or BJ’s!  How is this possible?  The answer is simple and alarming.  The industrial food production system that has provided us (and much of the world) with cheap food for so many years is facing a crisis.  This food system is highly dependent on fossil fuel based fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to keep the plants alive on depleted soils and to power the huge farm machinery used to compact and further deplete the soils.  These costs have nearly doubled in the last year!  Add to this the costs of distribution, storage, and the associated spoilage, and it brings us to the current world food crisis.   Foods produced on small farms like ours, scattered around the world in the neighborhoods of those who will consume it, may once again be the most cost effective food system.  These farms that use age old natural soil building and fertilization , small locally adapted farm implements and human labor bear almost none of the production and distribution costs of the centralized industrial farm model.   As expected, USDA  is responding with even more subsidies to keep our industrialized farm system alive against all odds.  Highly subsidized commodity crops are one of our last remaining global exports.  By exporting these highly subsidized crops we can put regional farmers in Mexico, Haiti or in the Middle East out of business and make them dependent on us.  The problem is that the cost of these skyrocketing subsidies required to  keep this  factory  farming model running is now prohibitive.

Throughout the country there has been a resurgence of small farms.  Farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions and other local farm systems are now the fastest growing segment of agriculture in the country.  For our part at Elderberry Pond we plan to increase our production of organic  produce and pasture raised meats. 

Beginning in  August, our menu is being revised to include  a weekly “Elderberry Pond at Home” list that you can call ahead to order and stop by for pick-up and enjoy at home or share with dinner guests. 

We are also continuing our organic gardening spring classes and summer tours to encourage more  family gardening.  We hope you will take advantage of these new services to enjoy  more fresh local food at home with your family.

The Legos