Countries evolve the same as its people, as we grow older our attitude change; we see things from a different perspective. As the first of the baby boomers is set to retire the demographics of this country will change. With this change has come an increasing awareness of two things, the realization of just how fast time passes and one’s health.

More and more people are concerned about their health and what they are eating; people are looking for the foods that are nutritious, flavorful and chemical free. The consumer should be concerned, just recently, ready to serve salad product of, contaminated with e-coli. Las Angeles baby carrots, product of Mexico, contaminated with an unspecified bacterium and remember these are recalls, so someone or hundreds of someone’s have already fallen ill because of these imported food products. In the recent Ottawa citizen article entitled “Canada’s Risky Business”, an estimated 13 million Canadians will suffer from a food borne illness this year, that’s one in 2.5 people, not only costing Canada’s health care system billions, but further aggravating an already stressed health care system.

How you can make a difference in your own health and well being and to the health of this nation? Purchase local food, support the local economy. Most people make it their business to know their mechanic, doctor, dentist, hair dresser, barber how about getting to know the farmers that grow your food? It is estimated that for every dollar that is spent in agriculture it is magnified or circulated 2.5 times in the local economy. At the recent Landowner Country fair held July 29th it was estimated that between 15 to 20 thousand dollars worth of local produce was sold at that event. That has the potential to inject between 37,500 & 50,000 dollars into the local economy in just 3-1/2 hours.

The Lanark Landowners Association has always taken a vested interest in people and promoting and protecting the rural economy as well as our culture and heritage. Our goal with your help is to promote, educate and protect farmers markets and farm gate sales, to make our urban cousins aware of the importance of our farmer’s in their health and wellness. To make our politicians aware of Canada’s food labeling legislation and how it is hurting our local rural economy.

Because of an overwhelming response to our last event the Lanark Landowners Association is hosting the Landowner Harvest Festival, September 30th at the Beckwith Sports Complex 1319, 9th line road in Beckwith Township from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come sample some glorious local produce, savor the smell of home cooking, bask in the warmth of friendship, sample the culture and heritage of the rural way of life, fun and entertainment for the whole family. After all life is sweet, why not? Indulge yourself in the “Real Taste of Living”

Bill Duncan, President LLA
613-623-6679