By MIKI MEEK
The Utah County Farm Bureau promoted land preservation among school children, legislators and government officials, who came to experience “Farm Days” in Vineyard City on Tuesday.
Many people don’t realize the central role that agriculture plays in their lives, said Wendy Liddle, a Farm Bureau member. Farm Days gives the state, the county and almost 4,000 elementary students a chance to feel a little closer to agricultural, she said.
Utah County is the second highest agricultural producing area in the state, said Dean Miner, the Utah State University extension agent. The agricultural industry keeps the county self-reliant, he said.
“Agricultural is the lifeblood of Utah County,” said Van E. Burgess, Department of Agricultural and Food deputy commissioner.
However, a growth influx in the county poses a threat to many farmers, said Vineyard City Mayor J. Rulon Gammon. New homes and businesses are steadily replacing the farmer, he said.
It’s difficult for farmers to stay in the business when they earn about $500 an acre versus the $100,000 they could sell it to development for, said Gammon.
If this continues open space will disappear and the county will be forced to rely on other states and countries for food, Gammon said. Relying on other countries is an economic concern as well as a food-safety one, he said. There are no guarantees that produce from other countries is pesticide-free, he said.
The county is trying to preserve farm land through protection areas and five acre minimum building lots, said Gary Herbert, Utah County Commissioner.
The county wants to ensure that it will have an agricultural future, he said. Jeannie Lewis, an agriculturist, says these steps are vital to preserving the land and the farmer. “When all the farm land is gone you can’t farm the desert,” she said.
Many people don’t realize the central role that agriculture plays in their lives, said Wendy Liddle, a Farm Bureau member. Farm Days gives the state, the county and almost 4,000 elementary students a chance to feel a little closer to agricultural, she said.
Utah County is the second highest agricultural producing area in the state, said Dean Miner, the Utah State University extension agent. The agricultural industry keeps the county self-reliant, he said.
“Agricultural is the lifeblood of Utah County,” said Van E. Burgess, Department of Agricultural and Food deputy commissioner.
However, a growth influx in the county poses a threat to many farmers, said Vineyard City Mayor J. Rulon Gammon. New homes and businesses are steadily replacing the farmer, he said.
It’s difficult for farmers to stay in the business when they earn about $500 an acre versus the $100,000 they could sell it to development for, said Gammon.
If this continues open space will disappear and the county will be forced to rely on other states and countries for food, Gammon said. Relying on other countries is an economic concern as well as a food-safety one, he said. There are no guarantees that produce from other countries is pesticide-free, he said.
The county is trying to preserve farm land through protection areas and five acre minimum building lots, said Gary Herbert, Utah County Commissioner.
The county wants to ensure that it will have an agricultural future, he said. Jeannie Lewis, an agriculturist, says these steps are vital to preserving the land and the farmer. “When all the farm land is gone you can’t farm the desert,” she said.
