Holiday Acreage Tradtions Locally Supported Heritage
maximum farmer profit margins.
• Community Supported Agriculture( CSA) winter shares: Ongoing subscription provides steady income to farmers during slower months.
• Online farm platforms: Many farms offer online ordering with pickup or delivery options.
• Grocery store local sections: Ask managers to expand local offerings and identify regional suppliers.
Farmers always appreciate local support, but consider focusing some of your purchases on items that significantly impact farm economics:
• Fresh holiday proteins: High-value items with substantial profit margins.
• Value-added products: Preserves, baked goods and processed items require farm labor and generate higher returns.
• Storage crops: Apples, winter squash, root vegetables and potatoes store well and provide steady farmer income.
• Dairy and eggs: Weekly purchases create reliable cash flow for livestock operations. You can also support your local farmers by buying from them for your holiday gift giving.
Consider:
• CSA memberships for friends and family
• Local honey, maple syrup or artisan food gift baskets
• Farm-made soaps, lotions and crafts
• Shares in community-supported livestock programs
Advance Planning Benefits: Order holiday items early to help farmers plan production quantities and
manage cash flow. CSA deposits in fall help fund spring equipment purchases and seed orders. As a bonus, you get your holiday shopping done early!
Extending Support Year-Round
• Follow local farms on social media and share their posts
• Dine at restaurants featuring local ingredients
• Attend farm events and workshops throughout the year
• Recommend favorite farms to friends and neighbors
Cultivating Tomorrow ' s Traditions
The choices we make this holiday season extend far beyond our own celebrations. By supporting sustainable Christmas tree farms, sourcing ingredients from local producers and participating in agricultural traditions, we invest in the future of rural communities and ensure that the agricultural foundation of our holidays remains strong for generations to come.
As you plan your holiday meals and decorations, remember that you ' re not just feeding your family or beautifying your home— you ' re participating in an ancient partnership between human communities and the land that sustains them.
This partnership, renewed through each growing season and celebrated through each holiday tradition, ensures that future generations will inherit not just recipes and customs, but thriving agricultural communities capable of feeding and nurturing their celebrations for years to come.
24 AcreageLife December 2025 AcreageLife. com