Real American Roots & Ecologies

The future of real farming and real food is at risk. Small, independent food producers who care about chemical-free, locally-grown and nutritious food are struggling to survive. Our founders witnessed this first-hand on a farm road trip in 2021 across six states in the Southeast US and since then, they know of four out of the twenty operations they visited have closed. We saw first-hand the challenges these farmers face, including dependence on uncertain sales outlets, inability to pay for crucial operating elements, lack of visibility, and the absence of a fair business environment, or even, basic economic infrastructure. These food producers are small operations, and struggle financially due to their inability to compete in a rigged and unfair marketplace dominated by corporate agricultural companies.

The founders had been saving for a farm of their own, but after this road trip, they realized that something bigger was needed to save all real farmers, and rural communities, in this country. Real American Roots, Inc. is on a mission to create a national infrastructure that levels the playing field in agriculture for independent, chemical-free food producers and their customers, throughout the country. The collective existence of these food producers provides the only consistent means of access to nutrient-dense, locally-grown food independent from global supply-chain shortages, imported chemicals from foreign countries, and each uniquely represents their own region’s local history and culture.

RARE defines real farmers as US farmers, ranchers, orchardists, honeybee keepers, mushroom growers, livestock managers & processors, and any other type of independent food producers who practice sustainable and regenerative methods and do not use synthetic chemicals. Currently, RARE works primarily with producers who live within a 100 miles of Rabun County, GA, but we hope to create an infrastructure to support all real farmers throughout this entire wonderful country.

The first RARE Program, Farmer Support, has been in effect since 2022. The Farmer Support Program allows RARE to buy food from these real farmers at fair prices, and prepares convenient, healthy meals & meal kits with this food that we sell to busy people all across Georgia. In addition, we alleviate some of the pricier costs for real farmers by passing on discounts from bulk purchases on to real farmers, organizing volunteer labor pools for farmers that need help, helping farmers apply for grants, providing shared tools, and promoting each sustainable food producer’s operation on the RARE Farm.

The second RARE Program will be an educational farm that will promote local, sustainable food producers and teach young people skills involving food production, self-sufficiency and real-world, scientific applications. The RARE Farm will be performing on-site research to compare the effects of four different sustainable agricultural practices on soil health, nutrient density, climate resiliency and crop yield.

Creating a network that supports real farms and local food producers in rural communities not only betters environmental health, public health and education, it also improves local economies and helps prevent the deterioration of rural communities. The RARE Farm in Rabun County, GA will serve as a hub for local agritourism, and educate people in our high-traffic, tourist locale about the importance of regenerative agriculture and ecologically protective practices.

Don't let the future of independent, true American agriculture disappear. We need your help to make this a reality. Your donation will directly support food producers who practice sustainable & regenerative agriculture, and give them the resources and infrastructure they need to grow their businesses and continue producing high-quality, nutritious food for all of us. Your donation will go directly towards supporting financially struggling, sustainable farmers and preserving the heritage of real farming in America. From helping farmers transition to sustainable practices, to connecting existing sustainable farmers with new customers and markets, your support will make a real impact. To learn more, visit www.realamericanroots.org and thank you!