Sometimes, the government's actions do not seem to impact our lives in any real way. This is obviously not true, and it is especially untrue when it comes to food.
In 2002, our own Westchester County government decided it was time to put an emphasis on sustainable agriculture and bought Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center. The farm is a large expanse of land in Yorktown that includes a working farm, multiple teaching gardens, and hiking trails. This is an example of a government acting progressively to improve and protect the quality of our land and food. Officially, their three goals were to preserve Westchester's open space, watershed, and farming culture.
When I visited the farm last Wednesday, I was struck by a few things. First, it looked like a real farm. I know this sounds silly, but I wasn't sure Hilltop would actually look like its non-governmental counterparts. But it does, perhaps because it has actually been a farm for almost 200 years! Second, the only noticeable presence of the government were the 2 hybrid Westchester County government cars parked in the gravel parking lot. Third, the farm was filled with young children--laughing, playing, happy children. The farm works closely with three other organizations: Cornell Cooperative Extension in Westchester (usually called CCE), Something Good in the World (which runs school and summer camp programs at the farm), and the Watershed Agriculture Council (which aims to protect the watershed from which we and NYC receive our water). When I visited, the CCE had brought busloads of elementary school students (mostly from the Bronx) to the farm to learn about the environment and food, and to just be outside and see that their food comes from a real place. The kids seemed to be genuinely delighted as they ran around the farm, helped water the plants, and witness chickens laying eggs.
Jennifer, a staff member at the farm, took me around and gave me a great tour. She explained that the farm is intended to show people watch they can realistically do at their own homes to reduce their environmental impact, support Westchester businesses, and improve the quality of their food. They do this through "teaching gardens," classes and programs, and their farm stand (much of the produce that does not get sold at their on-site farm stand is donated to local food pantries). I especially liked seeing the all-season teaching gardens because they are really helpful in learning what grows best here and how to grow it. I also loved seeing some of the technology they showcase at the farm (like composting toilets--not as gross as you're thinking--and "green roofs" which are flat roofs that add additional space for growing plants, herbs and vegetables). This kind of technology is the technology that will be so important for the future and the farm is showing just how simple it can be to utilize it.
Hilltop Hanover Farm is a great example of what governments can do to help promote healthy lifestyles and healthy use of land.
