Farmers' Co-op

Early in the summer of 2008 a group of 6 farmers met in the Grange Hall of Lee, NH, to explore ideas of cooperation for the benefit of all, especially in light of the fact that we almost certainly were facing the need for relocalization due to rising shipping costs worldwide. Moreover, there is an increasing call for locally produced foods prompted by increasing consumer awareness that shipping long distances limits varieties and diminishes nutritional value.

The first order of business was to take inventory of equipment to meet the challenge of growing larger crops than the current norm. The inventory revealed the need for a self-propelled combine to handle grains, beans, and sunflowers. We are now ready for 2009 after a trial run on a small field of sunflowers harvested late in October with a plot combine purchased from Iowa State University.

The plan is to renovate as many fields locally as possible, spread compost, and plant either hard red spring wheat or sunflowers on them. Harvest will result in wheat for bread flour, straw for animal bedding, high temperature oil for cooking, and feed for poultry. All appropriate equipment is in the co-op and will be shared to accomplish our individual farm goals. In 2010 we will incorporate beans to fill out the rotation.

The co-op will meet this winter to refine production and marketing plans. We are slowly moving toward a local food supply reminiscent of our colonial heritage.