General Comments
I am writing to express my concern for small farms in Utah. Rather than put them out of business, we need to support them with all our might. Even more-so -- organic, sustainable farming practices. I just returned from Portland, OR where the Farmer's Market is already in full swing, rich with stacks of rainbow chard and radishes, carrots, broccoli raab, and so many other products -- especially dairy. Part of the reason for that city's thriving success as a food center and dining destination is its support of small farms and farmers.
Real food, grown locally. Foods that are disappearing from our shelves, but should not be. Please, please, see the long-term benefits of supporting farming -- vegetable, fruit, dairy, and sustainable ranching. The future of the state depends on it -- and the health of our children. Please, help us go back to the basics instead of careening toward a future filled with the sheer ugliness of WalMarts.
To whom it may concern at the Department of Agriculture,
I have been a grower for over 50 years and am acquainted with many aspects of the industry in the State but have questions to ask and an opinion or two that I would like to discuss with someone there in your Department. I am also connected to a large group of customers/consumers that have questions that I have been asked to direct your way.
1. Does the Department have a strategic plan for the State? (UDAF: we are currently updating our strategic plan for the Utah Dept. of Ag. and Food. We are examining what we are doing now with an eye toward possible changes where needed. We are meeting with many of our stakeholders to see what they need from a state department of agriculture)
2. If so, when was that plan developed and put into effect?
3. If not, are there plans for one?
4. Does the Department of Agriculture weigh in on the way farm lands are being swallowed up by urban sprawl throughout the State? (The UDAF concerned with the loss of farmland, and the impacts on our food producing ability and Utah’s farming future. Private property rights are an issue in this equation. The UDAF holds conservation easements sold by landowners to non-profit organizations. We participate on the Quality Growth Commission, which coordinates and encourages the purchase of conservation easements on qualified farmland and open space. We operate in many other arena’s to promote and protect Utah agriculture.)
5. How does the Department of Agriculture interface with other Departments in the State? Specifically the growing of wine grapes and making of wine seems to be of import to Agriculture policy but is regulated by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. (UDAF: We support the grape growing industry in Utah as an agricultural product. We are not involved in the alcohol aspect of the industry. Some years ago we supported Arches Winery’s attempted to remove a portion of the tax the state collected from the sale of bottled wine at winery tasting rooms. As we were informed, the tax was levied to help maintain state liquor stores. We saw the logic put forth by Arches that the tasting room wine didn’t impact state liquor stores. The effort failed nontheless.
6. According to our research mature wine grapes only require 20% of the water alfalfa does. Is this correct? (unknown)
7. Colorado estimates an acre of wine grapes when made into wine has a positive effect on the state's economy of approximately $175,000 per acre per year. Do you know if that is correct? (UDAF: we understand farmers can make about $5,000/ acre. The economic multiplier for an acre of wine grapes us unknown to us, but according to a Utah State University study the general economic multiplier for agriculture is about 2.65:1).
8. Rural economies throughout the State of Utah are generally under a great deal of stress and we wonder if viticulture and winemaking combined with other aspects of the hospitality industry could help rural economies. Does the Dept. have any knowledge or ideas about this? (This is an excellent question. It has been forwarded to our marketing department).
9. Utah winemakers are taxed approximately 53% and as a consequence can't compete with producers around the world. Do you know about this? (no)
10. Last year approximately $44 million was spent on purchasing wine on the world market. If Utah winemakers could be competitive a great deal of that money could probably be kept in the State.
11. Many of us around the State think it is time to streamline the way various departments, Agriculture, DABC, Tourism, Utah Travel Council, etc., in the State System interact with each other.
12. Is the Department of Agriculture looking at a bigger picture and a bigger role than the one it has historically played? (yes)
Why is farming in Utah important?
As the cost of gasoline increases, so does the cost of transporting food. The more locally we can get it, the more we can afford to feed to hungry people. This also contributes to the freshest of foods being available and the likelihood that preservatives and other chemicals will be applied diminishes. Lastly, when food is produced closely enough to the consumer, it doesn't need to be picked before it is ripe.
What does farming contribute to Utah?
When local markets are supported by consumers, local farms are supported. In turn, farmers invest and strengthen our local economies. Also, they become more likely to increase the diversity of crops and animal products they bring to market. A diverse range of products means the consumers have more choice in local, healthy food.
Egg producer
The bottom line is that these eggs that we produce help Utah’s economy. For that matter, whether it is egg, turkey, hog, or diary production, not to mention all the acreage within Utah that is designated for crop, Utah’s economy benefits from agriculture.
With less than 3% of the US population working in agriculture it is essential to remind the average consumer that many of the foods that they consume originate on farms. It is also important to help educate the average consumer how their food is produced. As the population of Utah increases, thus expanding the metropolitan areas, agricultural land is declining. This decline in agricultural land can put a burden on the farmer/rancher and so, it is essential that the agricultural farms/ranches of Utah are protected to ensure their future operations.
Farming family
We are simply writing to add our thanks to the many other Utahns who appreciate the farmers, ranchers, and orchard growers of this state. We pray for them; that we will have snow pack, rain, tempered spring weather to avoid flooding, and full reservoirs to supply the natural resources for plentiful harvests and healthy livestock throughout the state. We feel extrememely blessed in our area to have fresh produce and exceptional meat products available to us. We love traveling through the state at various seasons, stopping at roadside fruitstands and markets to purchase and enjoy the produce.
We come from a ranching background and appreciate the efforts of those who produce livestock and crops. We recognize that they have difficult hurdles most years and that their financial security is usually in jeopardy, but for the sake of preserving an incredible lifestyle and out of a desire to provide food for the people of this state, they continue to confront the challenges before them and push for agricultural and livestock production improvements.
A teacher
I just wanted to comment about how we teachers need to incorporate agriculture into our curriculum to make sure our students grow up being aware of where their food, clothing and other things come from. Kids today are so far removed from their food source that they need to be taught.
Integrating agriculture into our curriculum needn't be a difficult thing or a dreaded "one more thing we teachers have to do." It can be simple things. For example, if the curriculum calls for a unit on graphs, use agriculture-based graphs. During story time, kids can be read fun picture books on agriculture. If the curriculum is about South America, then the kids should be taught about the agriculture of South America and even compare it to agriculture in the United States.
To become good citizens, our students need to know and understand where their food, clothing, homes, gas and toys come from.
Resident
I live in West Valley City. When we moved there 30 years ago there were fields, farms and horses next door and all through the surrounding area. Today that is virtually gone, and I miss it. I have become worried. Why are we building houses on all the arable land? In a desert state
like this the land with the best soil should be set aside for food production. If we become dependant on imported food (from inside or outside the USA) what happens to the food supply if a disaster strikes, or when fuel costs become so prohibitive food either can't be shipped or
is prohibitively expensive when it is?
We need a sustainable, local farming economy. Maybe this means enacting
more greenbelt laws, or putting developers in last position to purchase a farm when it goes up for sale. Anyway, I miss hearing the neighbor's rooster crow in the morning, and stopping by to pet the new colt.
Farmer
My thoughts on the place of agriculture in Utah come in the form of a haiku that I wrote in honor of what's left of the old Wasatch Front, the one Brigham intended:
house and orchard
grown old together
beneath the deep white peaks.
Resident
Dear Comissioner Blackham,
I was excited to read about Drake Family Farms in the paper this morning and plan now to visit with my son and perhaps even make it a regular stop on our shopping route.
With the increasing number of people who are interested in knowing the farmers who produce our food, I think you will find that as more local farms are publicized, as Drake Family Farms was today, there will be a better appreciation of the work they do.
Perhaps you could forge a partnership with the Salt Lake Tribune to feature
a local farm in a weekly column.
Thank you for requesting input from Salt Lake's citizens!
Resident
It is a no-brainer that small farms in & about both the city & Utah are of enormous importance. Importing food means using more energy in useless and harmful ways -- from increased transportation costs & fuel usage (& the resulting poor air quality, not to mention increased reliance on imported fossil fuels), to harmful industrial monoculture farming practices that rely on fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and inhumane treatment of the animals that feed us... which in turn result in poorer (even harmful) food quality, depletion of farmland soils, poisoning of wetlands & fisheries and increased health problems for the population.
Resident
I love Utah and have been raised here all my life. I grew up in the farming industry and have a lot of compassion for the people that are left producing products for our consumption. Farming was the backbone of this country as we grew products to feed ourselves and the world. Far to many times in today's world, you see developers crowding out the people that raise products for our food chain.
Farmers and producers should get some protection from the encroaching suburbia. After all they were there first.
I believe that one of the most import things that we need to protect in this country is our food chain. We can at least control what goes into and onto the products that we produce. Look at the many recalls we have on foreign produce and food items. I realize that if we want some types of produce in the winter time, we have to go outside the country to get it, but we should protect and encourage home based production.
One of the priorities that farmers need is water. We should insure that farmers have enough water to put their land into production.
Farmers and Ranchers need an easier more friendly way to get access to migrate workers. My cousin went out of the apple business because it was to difficult to get migrate help to pick them. We should all look for Utah based products in our grocery stores and markets. They are of the highest quality and help to build our states agricultural base.
Believe in and support our state produced products.
Resident
I feel very strongly that agriculture in the state, and unfortunately the entire country, is seriously undervalued and not given enough support. We continue to lose too much land to so-called development, which erodes the foundation of our counties' ability to support itself, thrive and prosper. I see that happening on an almost daily basis here in West Layton (I live off of Gentile Street) where open space land that could be used for agricultural purposes or actual active farms are plowed under for more housing tracts. I would like to buy a piece of land myself and go into some small scale farming, but unfortunately the price is much too high. I would like to see the state put into place more financial incentives that encourage people to stay or go into agriculture, or just do more to preserve open space that could eventually be used for agricultural purposes if necessary.
Rural Resident
What I appreciate about my rural counterparts:
They provide safe, plentiful, and high-quality products at reasonable prices.
They set a good example of the value of hard work.
Their dedication and existence helps prevent the spread of urban sprawl.
They remind me of simpler times.
Resident
One of the things I remember growing up in California, to include a period in Los Angeles, was the proximity of agriculture to our urban homes. We had dairies in the city as well as poultry, horses, and cows all around us. Even when I first lived in Utah 40 years ago I can
remember that agricultural animal were permitted on city lots in downtown Salt Lake City. People had a better understanding where their food came from and how to grow some of their own food from seed. Now high density housing and zoning laws have systematically eliminated much of urban agriculture. Many don't have a clue what it take to get food on their table beyond the concept that they work hard to pay for it at the store.
After 30 years of working around the world in public health for the federal government I "retired" here in Utah so that I could at least afford a large lot and the ability to raise some of my food once again. Even though we were zoned for animals, at first some of my younger neighbors complained that I had animals. They didn't like the noise or the occasional smell on a wet windy day. Still I endured and eventually the neighbors either gave up or started to learn about what it meant to raise animals beyond a cat or dog. The last couple of years I have been teaching young neighborhood families how to raise their a few chickens for eggs, how to raise a family vegetable garden, the art of beekeeping, and the science of composting. It is good to see their children learning to do physical work and understand the science behind growing plants and raising animals.
Each year I take a wide variety of waterfowl to the state fair as well as work at the bee display. It is my chance to educate the public in general. Every year I am surprised at the lack of knowledge of many of our young city dwellers. I have to teach even the basics such as the
difference between a chicken and a goose. The fair is one of the only chance many of our urbanites get to interact with farm animals and for that reason the fairs need to always include live agricultural displays. Unfortunately I see even that giving away to entertainment.
Additionally, I feel it is important to protect agricultural property in and near urban development. It is important that people produce at least a token amount of their food even if it is only one tomato plant. Urban gardens need to encouraged and assisted where possible. Zoning
laws need to be permissive enough to allow some form of agriculture to remain viable. I would go as far a say we need to maintain agricultural zones within city limits just as we maintain park areas. I fear the day when the vast majority of our culture is so far removed from agriculture
that they don't appreciate where their next meal come from.
Resident
Demise or revival? As a city person who grew up on a farm, I appreciate the freshness of food that has just been harvested, and I have turned my suburban yard into a place to grow vegetables and fruits as well as plants and flowers for aesthetic needs. As soon as the Farmers' Market starts in summer, I'm there to get what I don't grow. These are ways I keep in touch with what is so basic to life, a connection with nature. The article on Drake's Goat Dairy reinforces
the need to have locally-produced healthy products, and a visit there to purchase yoghurt and pet the goats gives me real contact with the source. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver's account of her and her family living and eating locally, is inspiring me to pay
the higher prices for organic and locally-produced food, especially because the money stays in our local economy. With the higher costs of fuel and transport, I believe it is prudent to encourage Utah's independent farmers, and to support them so that vital agricultural
land remains, like a trust for the state. Let's encourage this revival by encouraging markets to buy locally.
Resident
Mr, Leonard Blackham.
I am not a farmer but I think the values that kind of life offer are considerable,
both to the farmers and the consumers. when you look at the past I think you will see that communitys with a farm system are healther and more self sufficient. the problem facing the state and the world, in humble opinion is a lot worse than people think, and if the goverment does not do more to help the farmers, and the ranchers, it will get worse.
Resident
Agriculture, obviously, is basic to our survival. And local agriculture is vital for a number of reasons. First, there is a growing trend nationally towards the concept of buying local. Food that is locally produced is generally fresher and therefore more nutritious than food that has traveled a long time over long distances to reach the consumer. Thus, nutritious food is more readily available. In addition, less fuel is required to transport locally produced food to the market, so there is less fuel consumption as well as less pollution. The consumer can also obtain more information and have more input into how the food has been produced when the producer is nearby. If agricultural techniques are harmful to the environment, it can be easier for the local population to have some control over the use of such techniques when they are the primary consumers. Another important consideration is that locally produced food often focuses on varieties that thrive in that locality and therefore helps retain a wider range of plant and animal varieties. For biological reasons, this is essential to the protection of our food sources. Furthermore, locally produced food can be done on a smaller scale for a smaller audience, and therefore rely less on pesticides and herbicides. I believe, too, that people should be more intimately connected to their primary food sources. They should be able to see how it is produced and what is involved in the production. And last but not at all least, there is the aesthetic value: the beauty of orchards in the spring, fields of grain in the fall, cows grazing in green pastures, farmers markets bursting with colorful produce, open spaces and a break from housing developments, shopping malls, freeways and factories. There is the delicious taste of fruit eaten directly from the tree, tomatoes fresh off the vine, lettuce picked the morning it is eaten. We all need to experience more of these pleasures in our daily lives. It's often the case that Utah seems to be years if not decades behind the rest of the nation when it comes to these sorts of trends. Maybe, since we still have productive agricultural areas near our centers of population, we can preserve and expand these areas and thus be at the forefront of this trend. It is, after all, part of our heritage as a culture.
Resident
I am a resident of Salt Lake City and a nonfarmer.
We support farming and ranching when it is done in an environmentally sustainable manner. This means good soil husbandry, good range management, and due regard for the needs of wildlife. We definitely prefer open farm and ranch land to the current excessive urban sprawl
and the glut of second-home vacation lots. Conservation easements could help in staving off the loss of open space.
We oppose efforts to take water from the Bear River to the detriment of the Bear River Wildlife Refuge.
Factory livestock farms are an abomination.
We are strong advocates and patrons of farmer's markets and especially seek out organic produce and grass-fed beef and lamb.
There is a growing interest in "buying local" in our community. Labeling Utah products as such will help in retail sales.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Resident
Hello, I'm a third generation dairy farmer in Weber County. Farming means to me a lifestyle of hard work and hard play. It's too bad the states stance on economic development, because they seem to cater more to development in the housing and commercial markets and less and less
in sustaining the remaining farms we have. I guess we'll always have the mega ranches around like Deseret Land and Livestock, but the face of the Wasatch Front will never be the same. My old man is going to sell the farm off when retirement time comes, and he has counseled us (my
brothers and I) to not even think about carrying on the farming tradition. Not here in Utah he says, too many people now and not enough room to grow the crops required to maintain a dairy.
