At Miller Farms, Colorado in 2008, when the harvest was over and there were left over crops on the 600 acres farm, the owners decided to turn the farm over to anyone whose household could benefit from extra food.
When the Miller family collected their crops this year, they immediately realized it was a good year. However, they also realized through the news of economic decline that this is perhaps a very tough year for many individuals. Therefore, out of generosity and kindness, instead of letting the left over crops freeze in the ground, they opened up their farm to everyone for the picking.
While they had anticipated two to three thousand people, maybe, the actual turnout was stunning.
40,000 individuals showed up with bare hands, plows, and shovels to collect the left over crops. The 300 tons of left over crops collected were potatoes, onions, beets, and carrots. Some families collected the crops due to low income; while others collected it due to sheer family size. Either way, this was extremely helpful to many individuals and families.
Take a look at this video provided by CBS News and see first hand the elation of these individuals and families.
What this initiative inspires is for other farms across the United States to do the same. For what the Miller Farms demonstrated was the fact that after most harvest in a good year, there are still tons, literally, of perfectly good crops in the ground that could benefit and be consumed by individuals and families.
This concept, perhaps even more beneficial than food stamps allows individuals and families to gain extra food for their pantries without resorting to welfare or starvation. At the same time, charities of this nature, and hopefully from more farms across the United States in the future do not cost farmers a dime.
It is understandable for opponents of the Miller family's initiative to think that this is taking money out of the pockets of farmers. However, as Miller Farms articulated, these were left over crops that they were not intending to sell. Some of these crops may be deformed, too small, or simply not worth the trouble to harvest and sell. Either way, they were simply going to waste before donation.
Simultaneously, not only does this help to reach out to needy families, it also serves an educational purpose. The Millers encouraged individuals to bring their children and teach them where potatoes and other crops come from; allowing them to see first-hand the growth process of their everyday processed meals.
In essence, food initiatives of this nature, and hopefully programs, in the future, are a double win for both the farmers and individuals who can take the extra crops home as a way to subsidize their food income.
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