It’s a pretty simple equation. No farms, no food. With that thought firmly at the forefront, Greta Hurst’s Support Local Agriculture effort is officially underway for the 10th straight season, led by the release of the 2019 Agri-Tourism Guide available both on line and in hard copy form from her Tabula Rasa Gallery in downtown Baroda.
Hurst has assembled her notable Farm Stand Guide for her region representing 21 farmers, markets and like-minded businesses with locations in Berrien County selling local produce and farm-related products either in their natural or functional state.
The guide lists each farm’s location, produce available and contact information. There is also a map that indicates the location of each farm stand/business. The guide is available now for distribution thru April 2020. Hurst says, “We will also distribute the maps at the local visitor’s centers, each of the participants on the actual map, local restaurants, hotels and bed and breakfasts.”
An ardent advocate for localism, Hurst adds, “We believe agriculture in Southwest Michigan, Berrien County in particular, is an asset to value, protect and enjoy. Here we have an abundance of fruits, vegetables and livestock and a variety of microclimates.”
Hurst points out, “Our goal is to ensure that local produce and other agricultural products are available to individuals and organizations now and in the future,” noting, “With this Agri-Tourism Guide we hope to enhance the supply of local agricultural products by advocating opportunities for local family farms:
- To increase better access for local consumers of locally grown food…
- To facilitate access to local agricultural products by enhancing collaborative efforts between farmers and other public and private resources at the local, state and federal levels…
- To enhance demand for local agricultural products through consumer education. We welcome inquiries of all kinds.”
Support Local Agriculture’s mission statement is simply: Promoting Agri-Tourism in Southwest Michigan through art, education and food. You can find the hard copy version at Tabula Rasa Gallery located at 8918 First Street in downtown Baroda.
Hurst says, “We invite you to enjoy the beauty and bounty of this this corner of the world.
Click the link below to see the online version of the Farm Stand Guide for 2019:
