Kristin Heltman-Weiss’ Post

When a farm gate opens to the public, great things happen. Farmers play a vital role in providing everyone with food, but they impact upon society in many other ways too. From the rights of way that criss-cross farmland helping people get out into nature, to community engagement events fostering greater understanding about agriculture, providing a first-hand experience of the farming process can: -Help people appreciate where food comes from, encouraging advocacy for farmers. -Preserve local heritage by highlighting farming traditions. -Boost the local economy by encouraging visitors to buy farm products and support local businesses.   From food production to land access, we’ve introduced a swathe of new metrics to the Soil Association Exchange platform, to help farmers understand and measure the impact they can have on people and society. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e8pqExbJ

👏 Growing Our Community: The Impact of Supporting Local Farmers 🌱 Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit our local farmers' market, and it turned into an eye-opening experience when I struck up a conversation with Annet, a third-generation farmer. Her story was both inspiring and illuminating, highlighting the immense dedication and hard work that goes into maintaining a family-run farm. As she shared her experiences and challenges, it became abundantly clear how vital our support is for sustaining local agriculture. Here's why backing our local farmers matters: 🌱Fresher, healthier food on our tables 🌱Stronger local economy 🌱Reduced environmental impact 🌱Preserved farmland and rural character 🌱Direct connection to our food sources By choosing local produce, we’re doing much more than just buying food; we’re actively investing in the future of our community. Supporting local farmers ensures that our money stays within the community, fostering economic growth and creating jobs. It also helps preserve local farms and agricultural traditions, which in turn contributes to the sustainability and resilience of our local food system. 👏 🌱 Together, we can ensure a thriving future for our farmers and a healthier, more connected community for all.  Let's support our farmers and grow together. Share with us your experience on supporting local farmers in the comments! #LocalFarmers #CommunitySupport #SustainableAgriculture

Family values aren't just heartwarming; they're the secret sauce to beekeeping success! 🍯 Let's chat about how each family member contributes to our hive. Share your family beekeeping stories or ask us how to get started. 🐝 And hey, if you need pollination services, you know who to call! 🌼 #FamilyBeekeeping #SustainableAgriculture #BeeTogether #MaderasQueenHoney #ElizondoPerezFamily #CaliforniaHoney #Beekeeping #PollinationServices #LocalFarms #FarmersMarketFinds #GoldenHoney #FamilyTradition #NatureAndCommerce

More good stories from our Get Climate Smart training series!

The Faaborg family's journey from industrial hog farming to mushroom cultivation is truly inspiring. It's a great example of how agriculture can make a positive impact on the land and communities. I hope their story, from despair to hope and their dedication to restoring their land and livelihoods, can serve as inspiration to many. 💚 Stories like these highlight the pressing need for a return to farming practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and community well-being. Organic farming is a climate-smart solution that offers a proven path towards a more resilient and sustainable food system. I'm reminded of the Organic Farming Research Foundation's #OrganicIsRegenerative toolkit, which is packed with valuable resources and insights into the benefits of organic farming. It's an awesome tool for anyone keen on understanding how organic regenerative agriculture can contribute to a more sustainable future. https://lnkd.in/gcX2RTUY #OiR #SoilHealth #OrganicForClimate

Know Your Farmer: From locally grown flowers, to honey, beeswax candles, and on farm experiences like Sip and Stroll and farm to table dinners featuring local Chefs - John and Angelica, owners of Five Blossoms Farm 💐, are creating community and building connections through the power of flowers. Adding experiences into your agriculture or small business marketing strategy is a powerful way to build community. This weekend, my husband and I are going to a Low Country Boil hosted by Five Blossoms Farm with Saltwater Market at their farm. Not only is this a fun way to switch up date night from the typical dinner at a restaurant, but it also gives us the chance to meet other people in our area who have similar interests. Building community is how farmers and Ag marketers can help ensure that the agriculture industry not only survives, but thrives. #ExperientialMarketing #SmallBusinessMarketing #FlowerFarm

The Frontera Foundation educates the public about how healthy eating and sustainable agriculture go hand in hand. Farmland preservation and management have numerous benefits, such as safeguarding wildlife, preserving our agricultural heritage, and purifying the air and water. Agricultural workers and landscapers are frequently exposed to harmful chemicals. Women with breast cancer are also five to nine times more likely to have pesticide residues in their blood. Moreover, children living in households that use toxic chemicals for ornamental lawn maintenance are at a higher risk of developing leukemia. To avoid these hazards, you can opt for organic food, which has fewer pesticide residues than conventionally grown crops that can damage human health and contribute to contaminated drinking water sources and wildlife extinction. If you want to learn more about this topic, you can visit https://lnkd.in/gZmxVJbN.

🔴 🟠 🟢 Today we have launched the 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 to help farmers and farm businesses review some of the common components of business and personal resilience – helping them to identify strengths and highlight areas where additional information or support may be beneficial: https://lnkd.in/epWsXZGa The Greenzone Checklist is available to download from FCN’s FarmWell website and contains helpful information around a wide array of topics relating to business, health, forward-planning and community connections. Users can download or print off the checklist and examine which areas are ‘in hand’ and where they might benefit from investigating further. Topics include partnership agreements, business objectives, work-life balance, diet and exercise, succession planning and links with local communities. Dr Jude McCann, FCN's Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since launch, FarmWell has supported thousands of farmers in exploring their options and planning ahead. We are delighted to now be launching the Greenzone Checklist through FarmWell, which is an easy-to-use way of assessing what’s going well on the farm, and areas that might be beneficial to explore further. This is part of FCN’s proactive work to support farmers’ health, wellbeing and business resilience and to help people to explore their options.” A farmer who utilised the checklist with their family members said: “What a fantastic tool that puts you back on track with a list of things you can to do to alleviate a lot of stress. It’s a well-oiled key to unlock a sometimes very rusty and stubborn box!” 👉 Read more on the FCN website here: https://lnkd.in/e2H8kX7g #farminghelp #farminglife #backbritishfarming #farmwell #farming #agriculture #businessplanning #successionplanning

But you know what? These hardworking puzzle masters find a way to conquer it all! They adapt, strategize, and never give up, keeping our tables filled with goodness. 🌱 Tag your favorite farmers and show them some love! #FarmersReality #AgriculturalChallenges #FarmingStruggles #FarmEconomics #AgricultureCosts #FarmingRealities #FarmToMarket #FarmersJourney #AgriEconomy #FarmingHustle

A brilliant resource launched by The Farming Community Network. The self-assessment checklist allows farmers to quickly and easily evaluate business and personal resilience factors, which are often overlooked in day-to-day farming operations. #businessresilience #wellbeing