The Challenges of Local Farming and
How You Can Help

From 1997 to 2002 Essex County lost 126 farms, leaving us with just over 400 farms Of the remaining farms, 204 report net farm losses averaging $26,000 a year. If farmers cannot afford to stay in business 27,000 acres of farmland – the view sheds, open space, wildlife habitats and historical and cultural resources are in jeopardy of being lost to development.

When sprawl consumes farmland, lost are local businesses, jobs and access to local food. Farmland pays more in real estate taxes than it receives in services. (farmers in the region pay over $1 million for labor, and $1.2 million in property taxes yearly).

How You Can Help

If keeping access to local food and the view of open space is important to you, join your neighbors in a campaign to support local farms by buying fresh and buying local.

If an additional 5% of the population in the area would buy $7.25 worth of products each week from farm stands and farmers’ markets- it will keep local family farms from fading away.

There are still many farms selling a wide variety of produce in Essex County and the Merrimack Valley. Visit our list of farms by town to find one near you. If you need directions or want to wander further afield, use our interactive map to the right to find directions and more information.

Why not visit a local farm market today and taste the difference? Your taste buds will thank you.