Yes, farming is inherently risky, and sure, there are boutique farms that have figured out successful business models (selling to high-end restaurants or profitable community-supported agriculture programs, for example), but for the most part, our current agricultural system is not set up in a way that allows small farms to thrive.
Wheat is considered "a minor crop out here," said Dale D. Moyer, agriculture program director for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
Jonathan Kaplan, director of the group's food and agriculture program, credited Foster Farms for being "on track and heading in the right direction".
Elizabeth Guttenstein, head of the World Wildlife Fund's agriculture program, said, "After decades of waiting for reform, this is a half-hearted effort".
Most is sold to one Manhattan restaurant, Palma in Greenwich Village; to the local Hungry Hollow food co-op; and to neighbors who participate in a community-supported agriculture program and pay $50 each week for a bushel basket of produce.
Now is the time to sign up for the community shared agriculture program.
Further details of Alec's strategy were provided by John Eick, the legislative analyst for Alec's energy, environment and agriculture program.
I plowed under the alfalfa hay that was established there, and planted watermelons, tomatoes and vegetables for natural-food stores and a community-supported agriculture program.
As of this year, Robert Treat participates in a community-sponsored agriculture program, which offers a prepay system that lets people pay $700 for 20 weeks' worth of produce.
The agriculture program has been a big success, and some landowners have been persuaded to use their land for timber rather than sell to developers.
