In response to the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, many people (experts and regular folks alike) have been saying, “Forget about Wall Street, let’s start with Main Street.” They’re also calling attention to the fact that instead of throwing money we don’t have at the problem, what we need to do is create jobs to re-energize our national economy. Willie, Neil, John and Dave recently wrote a letter to Congress urging our leaders to consider the potential of farmers to put our economy and country back on the right track. Farmers are a part of that Main Street world–thriving family farmers equal thriving Main Streets. And farmers, and the local food systems they’re building, are creating new jobs all over the country.

An inspiring story in today’s New York Times illustrates how farmers are saving the town of Hardwick, Vermont. The farmers and food and farm entrepreneurs of Hardwick are working together to rebuild their town by rebuilding the food system: a win-win if you ask us!