McHenry County
|
|
McHenry County
|
|
|
| |
Over 150 people attended The Land Conservancy’s Annual Meeting and brunch on January 28 th at Bull Valley Golf Club. An additional 30-some came just to hear the speaker, legendary agricultural broadcaster, Orion Samuelson, talk about the future of farming in McHenry County. Mr. Samuelson’s primary message regarding preservation of farmland in this area was that the community will not succeed at saving local farmland until “we” put our money where our mouths are. That is, until the members of the community start making different decisions about land use, about where we choose to live, and about whether or not we are willing to actually fund the preservation of agricultural resources locally. Local legend Don Peasley said that he once heard Mr. Samuelson say that we only need farmers three times a day—that is, for every meal you eat. Think about that...when you eat, you are eating things that were grown, raised or produced by farmers somewhere. Those farmers may be in China, or here in McHenry County, but if you eat, you need farmers. Mr. Samuelson suggested that if we do not take steps to preserve farmland in the United States, then there will come a day when all of our food products are imported from around the world. He pointed out that while the U.S. has the safest food supply in the world today, if we become dependent upon foreign nations for our food, we will be unable to control the quality, safety, or supply of food. Bottom line is, we have to eat, and “food don’t come from the grocery store!” People want to move to the country, but when they complain about the odor of manure in the air or the dust from the farm fields, they fail to understand the benefits that come along with the odors or the dust. Mr. Samuelson suggested having a welcome wagon for all newcomers to the “country.” A pie made from local apples, and a pamphlet explaining that there are smells, sounds, and sights in these rural areas that will be foreign to the transplants, but it’s all part of the deal. You want the peace, space, and security of the country? You want to eat three meals a day? Then, please, embrace the farmland and all that comes with it!
|
