Guest guest Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 For these type of farm stands that you see in parking lots randomly, it is absolutely safe to assume they are selling out of state produce. The little stand makes them look quaint and cute, but the only way it is local is if you consider the US local (which is kind of true, but not the same kind of local as the farmer down the road or the next town over). I don't care about licensing at all, and I would rather that people not have a 'license' to sell food, validating a thoroughly corrupt system. All of our produce is sold under the table, this is a fundamental right, I don't care what anyone else thinks about that. I'll defend my right to sell food I grow under full discosure (meaning I'll tell you every last detail you want to know about rearing/production protocols) without conditions. The state has NO business in food, there is not ONE benefit to its involvement, but soooo much detriment. The list I was thinking of was more specific to each farmer's market in the area. And people can start lists for farmers/markets in their areas respectively. I want to tackle Mpls/St. farmer's market because they are the largest and it shouldn't take too long to ID the 'good' vendors. Again, these parking lot vendors, assume the produce came from anywhere in the US unless you ask very detailed questions and get convincing answers, if they ho and hum or say " well I think so " this is code for " I really haven't the slightest clue! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 For these type of farm stands that you see in parking lots randomly, it is absolutely safe to assume they are selling out of state produce. The little stand makes them look quaint and cute, but the only way it is local is if you consider the US local (which is kind of true, but not the same kind of local as the farmer down the road or the next town over). I don't care about licensing at all, and I would rather that people not have a 'license' to sell food, validating a thoroughly corrupt system. All of our produce is sold under the table, this is a fundamental right, I don't care what anyone else thinks about that. I'll defend my right to sell food I grow under full discosure (meaning I'll tell you every last detail you want to know about rearing/production protocols) without conditions. The state has NO business in food, there is not ONE benefit to its involvement, but soooo much detriment. The list I was thinking of was more specific to each farmer's market in the area. And people can start lists for farmers/markets in their areas respectively. I want to tackle Mpls/St. farmer's market because they are the largest and it shouldn't take too long to ID the 'good' vendors. Again, these parking lot vendors, assume the produce came from anywhere in the US unless you ask very detailed questions and get convincing answers, if they ho and hum or say " well I think so " this is code for " I really haven't the slightest clue! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 So I popped into the minnetonka farmers market tues evening and spoke with some farmers there, they said they can not afford to get organic certification but they follow all the organic standards and don't use pesticides. Usually I would have accepted that as good to go. I am so glad I saw this thread because I asked MORE questions. What do you use for fertilizer. Answer, miracle gro. Me- that's a chemical. Them, no it's safe and natural. Says who I ask. The guy at menards they say. sigh. I bought nothing from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 So I popped into the minnetonka farmers market tues evening and spoke with some farmers there, they said they can not afford to get organic certification but they follow all the organic standards and don't use pesticides. Usually I would have accepted that as good to go. I am so glad I saw this thread because I asked MORE questions. What do you use for fertilizer. Answer, miracle gro. Me- that's a chemical. Them, no it's safe and natural. Says who I ask. The guy at menards they say. sigh. I bought nothing from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Thank you Carol, that is absolutely and precisely what I'm talking about. You can not get anymore perfect an example than that. In your case they even consider it organic whereas at least the folks at the St. market weren't pretending to be organic. Also, even IF the particular Miracle Gro product they used was MOSA certified, or congruent with organic protocols, Miracle Gro is a CHEMICAL company, why would you support them ever? You have to be the change you want to see, and settling for products from chemical manufacturers is ENABLING those practices to continue. Ask lots of questions and be prepared for less than satisfactory answers. But don't just walk away in a huff, or tisk tisk. Explain to them exactly why you're not going to buy their product, and do it in a loving a nurturing fashion. I wouldn't have wanted anyone scolding me for being ignorant when I didn't know squat about food, and same for these people. There are plenty of folks out there with the 'Mere organic' mindset, who are just barely being organic, or are being technically organic, but not really getting what makes quality food. This stems from being taught what to think but not how to think. In our schools we get taught what to think but not how to think. It is a real effort learning to actually think! It takes years to undo that kind of conditioning. But the payoff is huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Hey , These farm stands as you go north are mostly real farm stands. In many of the small towns up here a farmer (usually Grandpa with the grandkids) will be selling out of the back of a truck or have a stand at the end of a long driveway. Most of those are real. At least on the north side and farther up in this state. Many are not even watched, a simple coffee can is left with the produce with the hope that honest people stop. You would have to go to the house to ask questions. The stand I was talking about had signs out 1/2 mile in all directions stating farm fresh corn, melons, etc. That is not true and to me is a fraudulent statement and a misrepresentation to real farmers who have done the work. And as far as the licensing, in this case--where a " farmer " is reselling food just like any grocer or big box store, they can get the damn license. They are nothing more than a vegetable and fruit jockey, they are not doing the work other than buying someone elses produce (from who knows where and with who knows what done to it) and reselling it. That is not a farmer, that is a resale biz, perhaps on a smaller side but still not a farmer. Alvin has a buying club, that may be different. I can see both sides there and tend to agree with him more than the state. And every farmer in the state is protected under our constitution, article 13, section 7 link here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/Article13.htm That does not, and in my opinion should not, include fake " farmers " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Hey , These farm stands as you go north are mostly real farm stands. In many of the small towns up here a farmer (usually Grandpa with the grandkids) will be selling out of the back of a truck or have a stand at the end of a long driveway. Most of those are real. At least on the north side and farther up in this state. Many are not even watched, a simple coffee can is left with the produce with the hope that honest people stop. You would have to go to the house to ask questions. The stand I was talking about had signs out 1/2 mile in all directions stating farm fresh corn, melons, etc. That is not true and to me is a fraudulent statement and a misrepresentation to real farmers who have done the work. And as far as the licensing, in this case--where a " farmer " is reselling food just like any grocer or big box store, they can get the damn license. They are nothing more than a vegetable and fruit jockey, they are not doing the work other than buying someone elses produce (from who knows where and with who knows what done to it) and reselling it. That is not a farmer, that is a resale biz, perhaps on a smaller side but still not a farmer. Alvin has a buying club, that may be different. I can see both sides there and tend to agree with him more than the state. And every farmer in the state is protected under our constitution, article 13, section 7 link here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/Article13.htm That does not, and in my opinion should not, include fake " farmers " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Good Stuff ! Can't say I ever see how anyone should need a license to do something unless they want to but we can disagree there. Didn't realize it was real farm folks. The only farm stands I ever see around the metro are the reselling stands, cept maybe once in a while a guy selling out of a pickup truck, but never asked what's what because that was pre-consciousness. I guess the take away is fairly simple, always ask, early and often, never assume anything...unless you grew it yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Good Stuff ! Can't say I ever see how anyone should need a license to do something unless they want to but we can disagree there. Didn't realize it was real farm folks. The only farm stands I ever see around the metro are the reselling stands, cept maybe once in a while a guy selling out of a pickup truck, but never asked what's what because that was pre-consciousness. I guess the take away is fairly simple, always ask, early and often, never assume anything...unless you grew it yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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