About food culture: As a new Oklahoman, I have to say, I’m impressed with the food culture here. For me, the food and fellowship (culture) of the food co-op has been instrumental in finding happiness in Oklahoma. I guess, it could be that from where I started the only place to go was up.

Oklahoma lacks the food culture that a lot of other states have. Look around, we love restaurant chains and Wal-Mart. Our farms are big and commercial. I’m not sure why either, perhaps it’s our relative newness as a state, or some other cultural aspect of our history. What I’m saying is that any increase in direct marketing by farmers in Oklahoma was bound to be dramatic considering where we started.

Let’s hope the the constant ‘food scares of the week’ and the new administration’s claim to “make our food safer” don’t result in more regulatory hurdles for direct marketers. Considering that Joel Salatin was not named Secretary of Ag, I’m not holding my breath.

Here’s what he had to say:

The increase in direct sales to consumers is one way that many farm operators are able to increase their income. There is a growing trend from consumers to buy agricultural commodities directly from a local farm. One benefit, of course, is that they get a fresher product and while another is that they can see where the commodity was produced.

As one reviews the county-level data, it becomes evident that the increases are throughout Oklahoma. It is notable that the number of farms dealing in Direct Sales also increased 66%. Why did OK increase more than some other states? One reason is that the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has been more proactive in promoting farmer direct sales. Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach has been a strong proponent of farmer sales and under his guidance the farm to school, plasticulture, and fresh market programs have excelled, thus contributing to this comparative increase.

I hope this helps explain the 209% increase in Direct Sales. Please feel free to respond with any other questions!

Wilbert C. Hundl Jr.
Director, Oklahoma Field Office
USDA-NASS

http://agblog.ok.gov/2009/02/04/usda-releases-census-of-agriculture-report-shows-more-farms-and-increased-diversity/