Intensive farming has eroded millions of tons of soil each year and destroyed wetlands and wildlife habitat. The best remedy for these problems is to simply do away with the cheap-food policy and eliminate subsidies. While they might find it hard to believe now, in the long run farmers and consumers would be better off. Since total subsidy elimination would be difficult to achieve politically, however, a subsidy reduction could begin by targeting those funds starkly to family farmers willing to use environment-friendly farming methods. Supermarkets are not the only places to pushes our daily bread.
Most communities have food cooperatives that carry organic products.
These markets offer locally grown, fresher food, minimal packaging and they're fun. Another fast-growing alternative to supermarkets is Community Supported Agriculture. Shareholders can help plant, cultivate, and harvest. Such direct contact with the land can be spiritually rewarding, too. Tilling is for human sustenance.