More on forbidden fruits . . .

(. . .vegetables).

Those readers who might have thought this post was about the Governor of New York should start elsewhere. People who came to read more about Jack Hedin's op-ed piece in the New York Times are in the right spot.

Today's Rochester Post Bulletin features the story of  how the organic farmer came to write the opinion. Hedin's landlords, who had acres enrolled in commodity programs, were fined $8,771 for allowing him to grow organic tomatoes and watermelons for local markets.

Laura Gossman writes in Rushford organic farmer writes op-ed article for New York Times:

He angrily wrote a letter meant for the news media about his dilemma. After he cooled off, he re-wrote the letter and sent it to some of his friends. "They told me I needed to go to the big banana," he said.

So he then sent it to the New York Times and the editor replied back the next day.

"He asked a legitimate question," Hedin said. "How many other farmers are affected?"

Hedin doesn't personally know any other farmers who've had the problem, but he feels that it will hurt farmers in the future who are attempting to grow larger.

Hedin believes that national fruit and vegetable growers based in California, New York, Florida, Texas and Michigan fear competition from regional producers like himself.

Hedin has been talking to Minnesota's House ag committee members:

Since he found out about the restrictions, Hedin has had conversations with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Congressman Tim Walz.

Because its harder for Hedin and farmers like him to find non-commodity program rental acreage, he may have to buy land or raise his prices.

"Its a very complex issue," he said. "Some larger fruit and vegetable growers right here in Minnesota are benefiting from the current restrictions. I recognize the change I'm advocating could hurt my own farm's future."

We've posted about the Hedin article several times so far. Since then, probably the best work we've seen has been our friend Dan Owens posting at the Center for Rural Affairs blog in Nebraska. He begins with You Grow Veggies, We'll Grow Corn.  Forever. He continues with Planting Prohibition, Part Two and Part Three. Via Dan we also recommend Investment needed to meet demand for local food, from our friend at the IATP's Ag Observatory

Read the articles carefully; resolving the issue will take some thoughtful conversation, as Hedin himself suggested to the Post Bulletin. Minnesota is fortunate to have groups like the IATP, Land Stewardship, Farmers Union where people can consider policy with their neighbors. Hedin himself is a member of the Local Fair Trade Network which was launched in 2007.

One of Hedin's local newspapers, the Fillmore County Journal, reprinted the column in Friday's edition.