Farm tours, pumpkin patches, educational farms, gleaning projects and community gardens are just a few of the interactive ventures that can help build community respect and understanding. The greatest danger to agriculture today comes from a lack of understanding by the public it feeds. In the urban areas of the country the ignorance of city dwellers and policy makers has accelerated the decline of American agriculture. A well meaning urban politician will look at a successful inner city community garden as a replacement for large scale agriculture. This works fine until that garden project gets hailed on, an early frost or someone forget to turn off a hose.
Agriculture is too vital to be broken down into preferred aggregates.
The act of growing food and fiber is more than just an economic activity. Somehow we must make the connection between diet, nutrition, health and agriculture. Domestic food security is at the heart of a new strategy for the domestic fruit and vegetable economy. Learning to compete in the 21st century will take a willingness to look for new partnerships and paradigms. This doesn't mean that we don't need imported fruits and vegetables.