‘Support your local farmer'

To the editor: As a farmer and longtime resident of Warwick, I’d like to address some of the recent claims and fallacies I’ve read about farming and the environment. Many farmers use pesticides. This is true, but it is also true that these chemicals are rigorously tested by the EPA and FDA. Our farms and the application of these chemicals are regulated by many government agencies to assure that we use them in compliance with their labeling. These regulations and our own concern for our land, keep us from for polluting our land and water source. Not only do farms and farmers not pollute the water source, they in fact act as needed aquifer regeneration areas. Farmland absorbs 95 percent of rainwater while paved land absorbs only 2 percent; this means that by keeping farms “farms,” we actually improve Warwick’s water supply. We live here, too. Do you think we want to poison ourselves and our families? In addition, farmers and farmland are crucial to the character of this community. Farms provide needed open space, scenic vistas and rural charm that make Warwick unique. Farms create much needed habitats for wildlife, and unfortunately for us farmers sometimes food. Speaking of food, farmers, ranchers and growers are responsible for food. Eating an apple, onion or tomato grown next door is something few communities can boast but currently Warwick resident have that luxury. It wasn’t that long ago that Orange County had hundreds of farms producing everything from apples to dairy to meat and all the produce in between. These farms are disappearing fast. We don’t want to loose this in our town. It is estimated that Warwick’s agricultural industry accounts for as much as $35 million per year in sales. Further, the income generated by us, local farmers, is spent locally on supplies and services like tires and repairs from local shops. So, in addition to acting as aquifer regeneration areas, creating homes for our wildlife friends, giving our town rural character and scenic vistas, providing jobs, purchasing services, paying taxes and buying supplies, our $35 million farm economy translates into $87 million put back into our local economy. Farms are important, especially in Warwick. Support your local farmer. Steve Pennings, Farmer