Do you feel like "I wish I had that kind of community in my area?"

You do! You just haven't discovered it yet.

Here are some resources!

To find local farmers:

• Search on LocalHarvest.org then start conversations with local farmers. In the book Beyond Labels (at the time of writing this the Kindle version is free!) they have a list of great questions to ask farmers!
• Go to your local farmers markets. Be nice and ask questions!
• Stop by at the end of the day to snatch up what's left from the produce growers. You won't get the most perfect items, but you should be able to kindly talk to the farmer and get a deal to take what's left away so they don't have to pack it up and throw it in the compost. (If you want the most beautiful produce, be prepared to arrive when the market opens!)
• For meat vendors like us, talk to the farmer about how you want to eat well but stay within budget. They know the cuts that are underrated and sell for less than they are worth! When you're in baby step 3 you'll be ready to buy in bulk, like a half cow or half hog!

To find community members:

• Show up at the Azure Standard hauls and start talking to someone about your interests in cooking at home, foraging mushrooms, raising chickens, etc. Someone will chime in and you'll make connections.
• Sign up for your Extension Office's newsletter. You'll find free and cheap resources available in just about every county.
• Search on Facebook for foraging groups, mushroom groups, gardeners in your local area.