Phyllis S. Johnson

Calvert's Gold Phyllis S. Johnson

County governments are permitting more and more subdivisions to be built. Developers are buying more small farms to use for subdivisions that have houses with sprawling lawns requiring more grass cutting, more air pollution, and more fertilizer to run off into streams and large bodies of water. Will Calvert County's beautiful farm land and forest grow houses and businesses instead of fine farm produce and wildlife? Will the valuable knowledge and experience the farm people have gained for many years be forgotten? Have the agriculture departments and the state and local governments done enough to save the small farms by trying to lower the ever increasing costs of equipment, supplies, insurance, etc. to keep faming expenses reasonable? When most of the small farms are lost, much of the fruit and vegetables for our consumption will be imported from other countries. Will imported fruit and vegetables bring plant pests and diseases into our country? Farm people are self-employed and employ others aswell. Where will displaced farm people find jobs? School age farm workers will have difficulty finding part-time jobs like those found in farming. Will the traditions and leisure activities enjoyed for many years in rural are as be replaced by a different life style?