"They finally get it -- why buying from a local, family-scale farm is important,"

I think it might be the fact that I grew up on a farm that I am so connected to the seasons. I think I am the only one in my neighborhood that actually cans Tomatoes, Jams, and Jellies during the season. There are several things I will not buy out of season because they are very expensive and taste like crap. Reuters has a good article about community supported agriculture and people getting reconnected to the seasons.

Preserving our bounty.

I did not seem to get as much of a surplus this year as I have in years past. I think the wet spring started me off on the wrong foot and thing did not seem to get better. For those of you who did get a bumper crop. Here is a guide to deal with the surplus