Local Schmocal

Perhaps you're all tired of being preached at.  Or maybe, an abstract statement about how supporting local business will improve the local economy isn't enough.  So - here's what we're going to do.  Here is an exercise to show you how THIS local business supports the local economy simply because YOU support it by purchasing its product.

As a local business, we are more aware of other persons trying to make their own small businesses be successful.  Thus, we are often on the lookout for these options when we are in the market for something in particular.

Examples of expenses our farm has distributed to local businesses:
- printing  (The Printery in Waverly)
- liability insurance (Pfile Insurance in Tripoli)
- poultry feed (Frantzen Farms near New Hampton)
- plant starting medium and supplies (Beautiful Land in West Branch)
- seeds (many from Seed Savers in Decorah)
- fruit bearing plants (K and K Gardens in Hawkeye)
- granary roofing (Gingerich Construction in Hazelton)
- electrical work (John Axon in Tripoli)
- shoes (Thompson Shoes in Waverly)
- shoe repair (Deke's Shoe Repair in Waverly)
- hay and straw (multiple places)
- new tiller (through LeRoy's Repair in Nashua)
- lumber (from E&M in Sumner and Hasbrouk in Tripoli)

We realize some of these don't fit some definitions of 'local' - but in those cases they are often about as local as we can get them.  And, the list is not complete - and much is simplified to simply make the point.

In general, these are all expenses we would not have if we were not operating our farm business.  You may argue that we would still buy shoes.  But, I can tell you that our need for shoes, shoe repair and shoe replacement is higher than most because of what we do.  But, this is beside the point.  A business generates expenses.

Is it possible that not all small/local businesses work as hard to find local sources or retailers?  Of course it is.   Perhaps we are more idealistic about it than some.  But, I stand by the statement that local businesses owners are much more aware of the needs of other local businesses.  And, if an appropriate partnership can be arranged with another local business, it tends to be done.

'Nuff said