At a moment when all eyes are drawn to the three-ring circus that is the 2012 presidential campaign, it is easy for news stories of a more particular nature to fall by the wayside. Take, for example, the severe rain deficit in this country. It's not over, and it's more challenging impacts are only beginning to be felt:
Sixty percent of the contiguous United States is experiencing drought, including the growing region of 70 percent of the United States' winter wheat crop.
Ninety-six percent of Kansas and 98 percent of Nebraska are in extreme to exceptional drought.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted a 13 percent drop in world wheat stocks and a shortage of corn going into the new year.
A collapse in the domestic food supply, prompted by climate change and the destructive tendencies of factory farms, is likely to become yet another defining crisis of our time. The United States is ill-equipped to face this looming disaster politically, given the current state of affairs and the differing priorities of both major candidates.
Neither presidential hopeful has spoken at any length about the importance of securing and supporting the American farmer or the delicate ecology of the American farm. This is folly. An increase in the price of food, coupled with already-high oil prices, could stifle the economic recovery and force more families out of work and out of their homes.
There is, however, a strong message we can send to Washington and to agri-business from right here in our little corner of New York: We can shop and eat local. By voting with our dollars, we show big business and entrenched politicians how important supporting our neighbors and our communities is to us. We can show how important those who grow and make our food are to us.
On Oct. 24, National Food Day, I hope you will join me in thanking local farmers and local business owners for their tireless efforts on behalf of our community.
Attend a Food Day event, shop at a farmers' market or make a meal from locally sourced ingredients. Choose local, if only for one day. It will make all the difference.
GREG BACK
Albany