I hope everybody had a terrific Christmas season.
It actually is difficult to consider that a new yr is already upon us. With a brand new yr usually comes new objectives and/or adjustments for most individuals. Many individuals resolve to start out a brand new weight-reduction plan, or maybe a extra structured routine, or get rid of previous habits, and so on. Whereas these all begin out nearly as good intentions and may be good, more often than not after a few weeks they have an inclination to sizzle. With that, I encourage you to seek out extra sustainable resolutions this yr and attempt to increase your horizons.
As a dairy farmer, I really like selling the business. I are likely to take each alternative I get to talk and promote agriculture and ranching. Like a lot of you, I have a tendency to start out the brand new yr with necessary objectives, and so they usually appear to slide away. However, one objective I set for myself a number of years in the past and nonetheless uphold to at the present time is to make use of my voice, information, and expertise to coach the general public about farming practices and the place their meals comes from.
With that, as I proceed my journey of serving to customers higher perceive the agriculture business, I encourage you as a client to set a objective this yr to actually perceive what you are consuming, the place it comes from, and the way it’s produced. It actually amazes me how many individuals really suppose that the meals they eat originates from the grocery retailer. That is not fully improper, since you do certainly get your groceries from the shop, however many do not notice the trail these objects have been on earlier than they hit grocery retailer cabinets.
I’ve talked about this earlier than, and can proceed to induce you to get out and attend an area farmer’s market, or go to an area butcher or produce retailer. These are great alternatives to fulfill the farmer behind his meals. Not solely will he get to see firsthand the one who grew and harvested what he is about to eat, however he’ll even have the prospect to ask them any questions you will have about how their meals was grown, grown, or harvested. in addition to the rest in agriculture that may curiosity you.
As the brand new days of 2023 flip into weeks and months, take this new yr as one to actually dive into your meals provide and actually take into consideration all that goes into producing a high quality product and all of the challenges farmers face. frequently in order that the inhabitants has a date product at their disposal.
Holler is a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees.