6 Broadcaster Press March 19, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Salute to Agriculture Thank A Farmer Today! The Various Benefits of Farm-to-Table Few things are more satisfying than biting into a fresh tomato right from the garden or seasoning a meal with herbs picked from a windowsill greenhouse. Restaurants recognize the value of such experiences, and more and more are relying on locally sourced products in their kitchens. The farm-to-table movement is not new, but it has gained momentum as consumers become increasingly enamored with the flavor and environmental impact of locally sourced foods. The National Restaurant Association found that farm-to-table food was one of its top 10 trends for 2018. Furthermore, the group says that one in five consumers are willing to pay more for local food, and 41 percent admit that locally sourced ingredients influence their decisions when choosing where to dine. Newcomers to the farmto-table dining experience may not understand all the fuss surrounding this popular trend. The following are some of the key benefits of farm-to-table. • Peak freshness and ripeness: Local produce ripens on the plant and can be harvested at the last possible minute before it turns up on a plate. This helps ensure that it contains the highest amount of nutrients and flavor. Food that has to travel further is often picked well before it is ready, ripening on the way to stores or other vendors. • Better for the environment: Food that needn’t travel far before reaching diners’ plates saves roughly 500 gallons of diesel fuel to haul produce a distance of 1,500 miles. This conserves fossil fuels and prevents harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere. • Supports neighboring farms: Supporting farmto-table restaurants and other eateries keeps business local in two different ways. It not only benefits local restaurants, but it also directly supports neighboring farms, fisheries and other suppliers. • Accessibility to seasonal choices: Farm-to-table eating provides a wide variety of in-season foods. This can translate into tastier foods because they are grown and harvested during their optimal growing season. • Reduces factory farming: Farm-to-table and local farming can reduce reliance on large, profit-driven corporations that may focus on maximum production over animal health and welfare. Local farms may be more inclined to treat their animals well and institute sustainable practices. • Learn about the community: A person might live in an area and never know that a local vineyard is in the vicinity or that a producer of straight-fromthe-hive honey is nearby. Exploring farm-to-table re- sources can open people’s eyes to local businesses doing great work in and around their communities. Farm-to-table is a popular movement that people are embracing for various reasons. MetroCreativeConnection Facts and Figures on Farm Safety According to the Centers for Disease Control and Pre• Estimates indicate that there were roughly 2.1 milvention, agriculture is among the most hazardous induslion full-time workers employed in production agricultries. Fatal and nonfatal injuries pose a significant threat ture in 2017 and between 1.4 and 2.1 million hired crop to farmers, including the many young people who work workers employed annually on crop farms in the United on farms. The National Institute for Occupational Safety States. and Health, in an effort to promote productive and safe • An estimated 893,000 young people under 20 years workplaces, supports programs that conduct research of age resided on farms in 2017. More than half of those on injuries associated with agriculture as well as pestiyoung people performed farm work, and an additional cide exposure, pulmonary 266,000 youth were hired to work on farms in 2017. disease, musculoskeletal • Each day, roughly 100 agricultural workers suffer disorders, hearing loss, injuries that cause them to miss time at work. and stress. Studying the • In 2017, 12,000 youth were injured on farms, and results of such research, 4,000 of those youths could trace their injuries to farm compiled by NIOSH, may work. compel veteran and novice • In 2017, 417 farmers and farm workers died from farmers to further emphawork-related injuries. Tractor overturns and other transTractor Supply Company is the largest operator of rural size safety measures and portation incidents were the leading cause of death for 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt 2.5” | Maximum Font can these lifestyle retail stores in America. Founded in 1938 as a mail 3.5” xpromote practices thatSize: 30 pt farmers and farm workers. reduce risk for accidents • A rollover protection system, or ROPS, is a strucorder tractor parts business, Tractor Supply Company (also on the farm. ture, similar to rollcages and rollbars in cars and trucks, referred to as TSC) owns and operates over 1,600 stores in intended to protect farm 49 states supplying a niche market for farmers, horse owners, equipment operators from ranchers, part-time and hobby farmers, and suburban and injuries caused by overrural homeowners, as well as contractors and tradesmen. turns or rollovers. NIOSH TSC's products include: clothing, equine and pet supplies, notes that an ROPS is Curt Curt Robinson Robinson the most effective way to tractor/trailer parts and accessories, lawn and garden Financial Curt Financial Advisor Patrick M Higgins prevent overturn deaths. CurtCurt Robinson Advisor Robinson Patrick M Higgins Patrick M Higgins . 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