Along-dormant California Farm Bureau program to identify the
crops growing along roads deserves to be revived, if not statewide,
then at least here in South Valley.
Along-dormant California Farm Bureau program to identify the crops growing along roads deserves to be revived, if not statewide, then at least here in South Valley.
“People are naturally curious. They always speculate as to what grows there, but it’d be nice to know,” said Bob Perkins, executive directory of the Monterey County Farm Bureau.
The signs wouldn’t even have to be limited to plants like vegetables and trees in orchards. Placards identifying breeds of cattle and other livestock would also sate the curiosity of passers by. The potential benefits of placing signs along the edges of South Valley fields are numerous.
The signs would be educational. Children, who all too often think that peppers, potatoes and peas come from the grocery store, would learn that they grow on real plants in the ground as they zoom along South Valley roadways in Mom’s mini van.
The signs might have political advantages. Adults, who sometimes forget the bounty of food South Valley provides, would be reminded of the integral part our farmers play in our still rural economy and lifestyle. Perhaps frequent roadside reminders would translate into wider support for ag-friendly policies among voters and politicians.
And for farmers, the signs would be another way – besides their delicious and nutritious crops – to show pride in the way they’ve chosen to spend their lives.
We know farmers are busy and the prospect of making and updating signs – especially for those who grow frequently alternating crops like vegetables and flowers – might seem daunting.
So we urge the local farm bureaus to mobilize community volunteers – from 4-H members to high school ag program students, from Kiwanis to Rotary clubs, and beyond – to adopt a farm and maintain simply designed, easy-to-update and visually pleasing signs.
After all, we live in the nation’s top agriculture state. Let’s work together to help residents and tourists connect the dots between the farms and ranches in their rear-view mirrors and the food in their bellies.
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