Mount Shasta & Lassen Region Farm & Food Economy

I had the opportunity to sit in on a luncheon on July 10th 2012 at the Gaia Hotel in Anderson and learn about our local farm and food economy.  Growing Local (a local grassroots group promoting what their name implies) hosted Ken Meter from the Crossroads Resource Center from Minnesota to give a talk on his findings of our local economy.  Other speakers included Dr. Glenda Humiston (State Director, USDA Rural Development and also fellow Ag Leadership alumni) and Dr. Shermain Hardesty (Director UC Davis Small Farm Program).

The two-hour event was very informative and really highlighted what this area is all about.  There aren't a lot of big corporate farms here compared to other areas in the state, but we are known well for small farms owned/managed by retirees.  We definitely lack infrastructure for agricultural processing.  I know that is kinda funny for me to agree with (considering Prather Ranch currently has the only USDA inspected beef processing facility in the "focus" area of the study).

One interesting thing Ken mentioned was that if every consumer in our focus area spent just $5 week on purchasing local foods, it would result in $89 million in new farm income for our local farmers.  He felt the best way to economic recovery in our region is to invest in our farms and food production systems and start supporting our neighbors once again.

I couldn't agree more.

After the presentation we had a tour of Churn Creek Meadow Organic Farm, owned and operated by Mary and Albert Occasion.  It was interesting to hear about their operation, how they produce their vegetables (I got a few ideas for my garden at home) and their thoughts on local food production.  The tour was around 3:00 and about 105 degrees.  The tour participants looked much more wilted than the farm.

Basil at Churn Creek Meadow Organic Farm

The next tour stop was a talk from me about Prather Ranch at our Bella Vista Ranch.  I shaded everyone up in the hay barn and I spoke about the history of the Bella Vista ranch, the history of Prather Ranch, our current operation and I even let them in on a few of my "Project X" secrets I've been working on.  Shhhhh!!!!!

Here's a link to an article about the event:

http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jul/10/food-analyst-grow-connections-between-farms