Maine, Vermont growing wheat again

[eShirl]

WESTFIELD, Vt. — Amber waves of grain are rippling again in parts of New England, once considered the region's bread basket.

Vermont and Maine ceded that distinction to the Midwest in the 1800s, when the Erie Canal and intercontinental railroad made it easier to move grain long distances.

But small farmers on the nation's coasts have begun planting wheat again as more people clamor for locally grown food. Along with New England, fields have been sprouting in California, Oregon and Washington in the last five years.

-snip-

Dairy farmers also struggled with higher grain prices, and some started growing their own feed for their cows. Then they saw that they might be able to fill some of the demand for human consumption. Now there are about 30 farmers in Vermont and Maine growing at least two acres of grains, and a number of others with smaller plots.

http://www.kjonline.com/news/maine-vermont-wheat-crops-locally-grown-food-grain.html

According to family tradition, some of our ancestors who settled in down east Maine grew wheat. Now that land is all blueberry barrens and woods.

[existentialist]

1. This is good news.

It will be even better if its the beginning of a trend.

[Shagbark Hickory]

2. Heaven forbid we jet let woods remain woods.

Gotta clear every square inch and spray it with insecticides and fertilizer.

Just as long as we keep it local and make ourselves feel good about that.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. Huh?

This is acreage that's already in production, they've just switched crops. As for insecticides, I can't speak for anywhere else in the country but in my area, there's a HUGE trend towards organic, at least from small growers. That few cents extra per pound they can charge for organic fruits/veggies nets them a lot of extra profits. I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to shit on this thread. :shrug:

[Blue Meany]

6. I'm from Maine and involved in the local food movement,

which big here. A lot of this is being done in areas that were previously farmed but that has been out of production for a long time and a high percentage is being done with sustainable farming methods.

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Because I read it perhaps?

"According to family tradition, some of our ancestors who settled in down east Maine grew wheat. Now that land is all blueberry barrens and woods."

I'm not knocking agriculture but I have an issue with clearing natural areas unnecessarily.

[eShirl]

8. That was just the land where my family had settled in one town.

Most of it is blueberry barrens, which is how they made their money throughout the 20th century and probably much of the 19th century after wheat started to be imported from out west.

[Shagbark Hickory]

9. Apologies for jumping to conclusions.

I am very passionate about land clearing and certain subjects related to agriculture. I didn't intend to shit on your post or on the local food movement so long as the movement is not doing what I perceive to be more damage to the environment.

[closeupready]

3. Good. Means less fossil fuel consumption in transporting food stuffs from one coast to another.

K&R

[Yavin4]

5. We're Returning to an Agrarian Based Economy

Slowly but surely.

[nenagh]

10. Amber waves of grain.... how lovely...

I lived in Tipperary, Ireland for awhile.. and it was suggested to some of the farmers that they plant trees.. oak etc, in the 'ditches' beside the fields.

The idea was to plant slow growing but valuable hard wood trees that would be financially beneficial for the next generation.

Also, my Dad, in Canada, planted a nursery of trees on his cottage property and some leased land nearby.. to essentially be able to gain tax advantages from creating a little farm... my parents planted little trees which grew for several years then were purchased by nurseries for home gardens.. and my parents would hire several local boys to do the weeding.


The first time my Dad asked a local Mother who lived up the road from the cottage if he could hire her sons for the business.. she was really unsure what kind of man he was.. and sent two boys to my Dad's cottage property... knowing that if there was any funny business.... one of the boys would tell her.

She laughed about it later, as they all became good friends. The boys were given a cheque at the end of each weekend of work... and then the boys family would cash it in at the local gas station... get gas for the car... and huge ice cream cones...

Later, my Dad helped them choose a career.. and they were always great friends... Makes me smile to see family farming....for communities.