Stensland Bos encourages producers to increase acreage devoted to human-consumable products

To the Editor:
Luverne has made many positive changes in the past few years as we envision our future. I’d like to share my own thoughts on the subject, specifically regarding food and agriculture. 
I grew up on a Rock County farm and have lived here all but about three years of my life. I’m delighted that our farmers and gardeners are producing more fruits, vegetables, and other local products, and Rock County has always produced an abundance of meat and dairy. 
However, I’d like to see our area produce a greater quantity of the non-animal products it consumes, and to devote less acreage to commodity crops and more to human-consumable products. 
There are a number of benefits to diversification. First, there’s better economic stability and food security when farmers are not as much at the mercy of world events and politics in Washington (such as the Farm Bill).
It was a disaster for many farmers when the Holstein market crashed. My parents raise beef, and I enjoy meat regularly, but I feel that focusing on a wider variety of agricultural products would reduce the likelihood of such an event in the future.
Furthermore, monocultural crop systems driven purely by profit (such as areas that grow nothing but corn and soybeans) are not as healthy for the soil and the broader ecology. More options are waiting to be utilized, not least among them hemp (the kind that produces durable goods and food, not marijuana).
I also hope to see less reliance on chemicals and genetically modified crops. I understand that economics and the need to feed a family are the often core factors here, but the economics are starting to shift. Some believe there are no adverse consequences of using such technologies — the evidence suggests otherwise. It will be better for everyone to have more diversity in our seeds and fewer chemicals in our air and food.
Outside of for-profit areas, Kim Rockman is working hard to turn part of her parents’ property into a local food forest where people can come and take what they need for free. I think this is a fantastic effort, and I hope it’s well supported.
Some farmers do plenty when it comes to soil conservation and maintaining water quality. But the Rock River is still contaminated, and soil quality eventually impacts our own health. We can do better.
Even for those of us who feel they have no link to farm life, there is a role to play. We can learn about how our food is produced, and then speak up about what we want. We can push our politicians to keep funding programs that protect the environment. We can patronize the growers, both at the farmer’s market and directly through their farms.
Again, these are my own thoughts, and I realize change happens slowly. I also want to acknowledge and respect all the farmers who work hard every day to make a living. But change needs to happen, and I hope these ideas contribute to the discussion.
Matthew Stensland Bos
Luverne