WYO Research: Hunger and Loss of Local Farms Linked
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Lander, WY – Fremont County's economy looks healthy because unemployment is down, but more people are relying on food banks. It turns out the problem is not just food prices, according to a new report. Researcher Karl Sutton with Sustainable Lives says they've found a link between rising demand at food banks and declining local food production. His group is helping the community realize the value of a diverse network of farms and ranches producing for locals.
"Why does food insecurity exist? Look at agricultural production. Why has it changed to where it is today, and what are the solutions?"
While a lot of farmland has been developed, Sutton notes, even most existing Fremont County farms no longer produce fruit, vegetables or meat for locals. Farmers have shifted focus to commodity crops like sugar beets, or to feed crops for large livestock facilities in other regions.
And he believes farmland value needs to be assessed on more than just development potential because it's disappearing fast in Fremont County.
"Areas that are available for production of cattle, and also for vegetable crops, are being developed rapidly."
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