Vegetables
Growing a vegetable garden has given my husband and I COMPLETE respect to all farmers, big or small. If our family had to rely on our inexperience 30 years ago for their plate full of veggies, we would all be malnourished. I could never be a farmer! At the time, we had what I thought was fresh vegetables within hands grasp at our local grocery store. But, time allowed us some practice and since then we now grow some incredible backyard veggies.
Of course, these past few years have showed us just how downhill our food supply has plummeted. We have gmo crop, poor soil quality, pesticides and herbicides, hybridization; it's a wonder if we are even eating real fruits and vegetables...and that's not even touching beef and poultry. Generations ago, it wasn't like this. Generations ago, people grew their own vegetables. Generations ago, eating out was a luxury. So much has changed...and not for the better.
So what can we do about it? A lot. To start, educate and research. And if I haven't said it, research more. Most of us are on social media some way or another, look there! You'd be amazed at what information is truly put out there...before it's taken down. A majority of people don't tune into main stream media anyore, but unless we make a note to research something, agricultural laws, standards, developments, etc. will all go unnoticed...and that's dangerous. I'm pretty sure if you knew what some of the waxes are made from which are sprayed on fruits and vegetables you buy at the grocery store, you'd definitely skip buying it. We are so accustomed to believing that these government agencies designed to protect our health are doing just that when, as we all know, they are not. The food standards created by these agencies continuously change...and not for the better. But sadly, so many go blindly into the world until it's too late and they find out the hard way.
Next, grow your own food if possible. Maybe you're not a fan of many vegetables; then grow what you like. Don't have room? Think outside the box. Grow vertical, grow patio or deck gardens, or maybe look for community gardens where you can rent a plot. Like flower gardening, I'd go as far as even asking a family member for a small area in their yard to house a garden. If having your own garden is truly out of the equation, my next suggestion is buy local. Find farmers who sell their produce at their farm or a farmer's market. Talk to them and ask them about pesticides and chemicals. Buy organic if possible. There's nothing like supporting local businesses, small or large and getting to know your community of farmers.
I have linked information about seeds and other resources HERE including a website you can visit to click in your information to find a local farm! You can find some supplies we use HERE.
