The Future of Small Farms: Why Buying Local Food Matters

I’ve been an entrepreneur most of my life. Always looking for smart ideas, ways to solve problems, or build something better. Years ago, I was searching for treats for our dog, Lilly. She was part of the family, and I wanted to give her something healthy. Not the usual processed stuff from big-box shelves.

That’s when I realized how limited the options were. Most bones were imported, came from dairy cattle, or had no clear sourcing at all. So I started looking into creating something better. Bones and treats made from animals raised on farms right here in the U.S.

But the deeper I went, the more I saw how disconnected the food system had become. Labels didn’t tell the full story. Companies talked about “family farms,” but behind the curtain were industrial feedlots and vague sourcing. That was when I realized just how misleading food marketing could be, and how hard it was to find meat and bones raised the way I’d want them for my own dog.

That search eventually led me to farming. I didn’t start out planning to grow food or raise animals, but once I saw how far things had drifted, I couldn’t look away. I wanted to be part of building a better food system. Starting local.

Why Small Farms Matter

Food Security

When I was sourcing bones, I assumed it would be easy to find cattle raised on grass with transparent practices. But most of the options were shipped from overseas or traced back to feedlots. The quality wasn’t there, and neither was the trust.

Small farms change that. When animals are raised on pasture and sold directly to the community, food becomes more secure. It stays close to home. Families aren’t relying on long supply chains to fill their plates. They're buying local food grown by people they know.

Food security depends on proximity, not just production volume.

Community Health

I live in Goshen, Ohio, just outside Milford and Loveland. Around here, people care about what they eat and where it comes from. I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be sourcing bones for dogs, but once I started, I noticed how many people were asking the same questions about their own food. Where is it from? How was it raised? What’s actually in it?

The health of a community is tied to the health of its farms. When we support local produce, local dairy, and local meat, we’re investing in food that’s more nutrient-dense and less processed. That choice supports farmers, neighbors, and future generations.

I’ve walked small farms where tomatoes grow next to pasture-raised chickens. I’ve seen families who eat what they grow and sell the rest at the farmers market. That kind of farm-to-table food system speaks for itself

Environmental Stewardship

One of the reasons I was so particular about bones was the land. I wanted animals raised on grass, in rotation, on farms that respected the soil. That wasn’t easy to find. But when I did, the difference was obvious. The pastures were alive. You could smell it in the soil.

That same principle applies across all kinds of local agriculture. Healthy land produces healthy food. And family farms that rotate animals, compost waste, and protect native plants are helping rebuild what industrial agriculture often depletes.

That’s the model we’re building toward at Mission Farmstead. Whether it’s composting, fencing in future grazing zones, or planting with soil in mind, it’s all rooted in the idea that small farms have the power to regenerate.

Challenges Facing Small Farms

Economic Pressures

When I first started selling bones, I thought the biggest challenge would be building the product. It wasn’t. The real challenge was pricing. I had to explain to people why our bones cost more. Why it mattered that they came from American farms. Why we refused to use bones from dairy cattle or industrial processors.

Small farms face the same thing. Their pricing reflects the actual cost of doing things right. The difference between organic and conventional might not always show up on a label, but you’ll see it in how the food is grown and priced. It’s hard to compete with the bulk discounts and factory-farmed meat in the frozen aisle. But what you’re paying for with local meat is trust. Quality. And a better system overall.

The only way it works is if communities see that value and choose to invest in it.

Land Access and Resources

Back when I was just sourcing bones, I didn’t have land of my own. I was partnering with farms. But even then, I saw how hard it was for small producers to hold onto land or expand. Prices were high. Development was creeping in. And young farmers were being pushed out.

When I started Mission Farmstead, I knew we’d have to build slowly. We’re still early in the journey. But I see now how important it is to protect access. If we want a future with more direct farm sales and less dependence on middlemen, we need policies and programs that help small farms take root and stay put.

How You Can Support Local Agriculture

Buying Local Meat and Produce

Start with what’s on your plate. Ask your butcher where their beef comes from. Visit a farmers market. Look for local produce and support family farms that raise food with integrity.

This is what I did when I was sourcing for Lilly. I skipped the labels and picked up the phone. I called farmers. I visited ranches. I asked about feed, pasture, and processing. You don’t have to go that far, but you can vote with your dollar. Every time you choose buying local food over imported or anonymous products, you support local farmers and help keep a better system alive.

If you’ve ever wondered why buy local, this is it—fewer miles, more trust, and a stronger community food system.

Joining a CSA or Farm Membership

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share is one of the simplest ways to connect to your local food system. You pay the farmer directly, and in return, you get a weekly or seasonal share of what’s growing. It might be vegetables, eggs, dairy, meat, or a mix.

While we won’t have a CSA at Mission Farmstead, I still encourage folks to look for one in their area. Supporting a CSA is a powerful way to help farmers plan ahead, grow sustainably, and keep more of their income.

Advocating for Small Farms

You don’t have to be a farmer to support them. Talk about it. Share your story. Let your school know you’d like to see local dairy in lunches. Ask your co-op to stock from local farms. These small steps matter.

The local food movement grows when regular people get involved. When we stop treating small farms as a niche and start seeing them as the foundation of something better.

Final Thoughts

What started as a search for a better bone for Lilly ended up changing the way I saw food. I didn’t expect it to lead me to farming. But here we are.

There’s no perfect path forward, but I believe in the power of small farms. I believe in rebuilding trust, shortening supply chains, and making food more honest. That means asking questions, choosing local when you can, and supporting the people doing the work behind the scenes.

Because in the end, we’re not just buying food. We’re investing in a small farm future worth growing.