7 Reasons to Support Concord Farms
Reprinted from "A Guide to Concord Farms" sponsored by the Town of Concord,
the Concord Agricultural Committee,
Concord Natural Resources, the Concord
Land Conservation Trust and Minute
Man National Historical Park
by the Town of Concord, and downloadable here.
For centuries, the Sudbury, Assabet and
Concord Rivers have created a rich agricultural
environment that has made Concord a
center of local food production. Native Americans
grew corn along these rivers, and the productivity
of this environment later attracted
English colonists to establish Massachusetts'
first inland settlement at Concord in 1635.
Most of the town was cleared for farming by
the 1830s, and the addition of the railroad in
the 1850s made Concord a major market town.
In addition to the hay, corn, squash and beans
produced in colonial and pre-colonial times,
strawberries and asparagus have become important
cash crops.
Farms remain a vital asset to Concord for many
reasons:
1. Concord farms provide fresh food and
flowers. Produce that is grown far from
home is often in transport or cold-storage for
days or weeks, thus losing much of its original
flavor and nutritional value. Local is fresh and
better.
2. Concord farms protect historical landscapes
and open space. Farms contribute
to the natural beauty of the town while also
providing a window into Concord's vibrant agricultural
history. Thanks to the efforts of the
Town of Concord, the Concord Land Conservation
Trust, Minute Man National Historical
Park and local families, a great deal of farmland
remains open and undeveloped.
3. Concord farms promote good land stewardship.
Well-managed farms improve
biodiversity, help conserve soil and protect water
quality.
4. Concord farms and greenhouses contribute
to the local economy. Farms and
greenhouses provide a source of livelihood for
many families in Concord, as well as a source
of employment for local youth.
5. Concord farms build community. Knowing
your farmer gives you a closer relationship
to your food and the people who produce
it. Opportunities for pick-your-own fruits,
vegetables and flowers provide you a chance to
connect with your neighbors and the land.
6. Concord farms preserve local traditions.
Today's farmers carry on Concord's agricultural
heritage and provide an important link
to the roots of our community.
7. Concord farms create a better future. Supporting
local farms today means that your
children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy
fresh food, open spaces, and a strong community
for generations to come.
Art Credits: Page designed by Windfall. Other images courtesy of Clipart.com.
