Local farmers need local support, awareness

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

	Special Section: Rural Life
	Only in the Print Edition ...  Articles found only in the special section  of the March 31, 2006 Compass print edition:  • Planning minimizes spring run-off woes  • Early farm markets bring local, fresh green     vegetables to winter  Subscribe to print edition

How often do you think about the economic impact of that glass of milk in your hand?

According to the UW-Extension, agriculture contributes about 10% of Wisconsin's total state income, or $16.8 billion.

That impact will be part of the focus of the annual diocesan Rural Life Day celebration held April 4 and 5. Both days will begin with 10:30 a.m. Mass and include blessings of seeds, animals and farm equipment and a noon dinner and speaker.

• Bp. Robert Morneau will be the celebrant at the April 4 Mass at St. Martin Parish, Cecil.

• Bp. David Zubik will celebrate Mass on April 5 at Holy Family Parish, Brillion.

• The event will include a talk, entitled, "The Tiny Mustard Seed ... A Glass of Milk" by Jerry Sinkula, a rural Kewaunee County resident and member of St. Therese de Lisieux Parish in Stangelville.

Sinkula was raised on a farm, and then farmed himself for more than 25 years. In 1988, he helped form what is now Kewaunee County Agricultural Heritage and Resources (AHR). His talk will focus on preserving rural heritage and raising awareness of farm issues.

Br. Steve Herro, O.Praem., consultant for social concerns for the diocese, oversees rural life issues. He believes it's important to "celebrate our heritage and celebrate our culture" both of which are often based on agriculture in Wisconsin.

"A greater issue," he added, "is what we can do locally to support our local farmers."

One way, he said, is to attend one of the Rural Life Day Masses. Another is to buy locally produced meat, vegetables and cheese.

"We go to a large supermarket and think nothing about buying a pound of cheese or a package of frozen chicken," he said. "But when you go to a local producer, you cut out the middleman and the greater percentage of the cost goes to the farmer."

Many farmers take part in summer farm markets. But there is a gradual increase in winter farm markets - such as the one sponsored by Harvest of Hope at St. Mary Parish in Oshkosh earlier this month (see page 9 -- print edition only), and the now-closed one held in February and March at the Appleton Knights of Columbus Club. (The Appleton farmer's market held every week from spring through October at the Columbus Club will start on April 29.)

Br. Steve noted that an ecumenical group - Churches' Center for Land and People - is working to schedule more winter markets in Wisconsin. He added that, if several local churches would sponsor an event like St. Mary's once every one or two months, people could stock up on at least meat and cheese over the winter, and support local farmers.

"It's the same idea as buying free trade coffee," Br. Steve said. "But the producer is closer to us." (Free trade coffee assures that a fair price is paid to coffee growers - who are often poor farmers in Central and South America.)

As Rural Life is celebrated this year, Br. Steve sees three areas of concern for rural communities:

• The diocesan Rural Life Committee has been especially concerned this past year about how to help train catechists in rural communities. With training most often held in the population centers of the diocese, scheduling training can be difficult for rural people and parishes.

• Social and economic support of local farmers, as noted above. This need is also why Br. Steve values the input of the host parishes at Rural Life Day events.

"They open their doors to the community, open their churches, share their skills in planning and at the liturgy," he said. "I'd like to emphasize how grateful we are to the host parishes for their service."

• Addressing pastoral needs in rural communities.

"With the linking and merging of parishes, we're not only seeing a decline in the physical presence of priests," he said, "but also a decline in the physical presence of parish directors. You have to go farther and farther to find a pastor or a parish director. And you have to share that person's time with more people."

Tickets are needed for the Rural Life Day dinners and are $6. Call the parishes directly to see if tickets are still available: Holy Family's number is (920)756-2535; St. Martin's is (715)745-6681.

(Tickets are not needed to attend either Mass.)