Once upon a time, this great continent was a land of farmers by necessity and by desire. Farmers colonized the New World. They broke ground. The fed their families. They moved west (or north or south) and broke more ground. Through the centuries, they fed other families. Their numbers became fewer and yet they fed more and more people.

Today, farmers represent less than 2 percent of the U.S. population…yet 100 percent of the population eats. Fewer and fewer people remember what it was like growing up on the farm or even visiting a grandparents’ or other relative’s farm.

As life has become crazier, more and more people yearn for the country, for a big, juicy tomato warm off the vine, for the season’s first sweet strawberry fresh from the field, for a visit to a farm, where life is simpler than at home.

Without farmers, we have no farmland preservation. We have no food security. Our quality of life declines. Forget locally grown food. Don’t even think about knowing the farmer who grew the fruits and vegetables you have no choice but to buy from the grocery store. Forget taste, quality and freshness.

But don’t forget the farmer…and don’t forget family farms. We need family farms to continue to help sustain our bodies and our souls.

NAFDMA is committed to supporting family farms. Direct marketing is not for all farms, but for those who choose to sell their products directly to consumers, NAFDMA is here to help.