I am writing in response to your recent editorial concerning PETA’s attempt to reduce consumption of beef (April 24). While there may be legitimate concerns, the solution is not this extremist animal rights group.

Healthfulness of beef, environmental issues, animal welfare, local food security, open space, sustainability of farms and farm families. They all have one solution: Buy local. Buy local. Buy local.

The farmers’ market season is just about to begin. We could all find one or two markets near our homes or our places of work and develop relationships with the farmers there.

We could find a farm stand or farm store near our homes or work, and frequent them as well by developing the habit, the rhythm, of going there weekly.

When shopping at a grocery store, we could tell the manager that we want to buy locally-grown foods. Stores cater to market demand. Strong demand for local meats will result in products on store shelves – a significant new market for Maine farmers.

Maine’s farm families are willing to adapt to this changing world. Although not all farms will be able to see directly to customers, the entire agricultural community benefits when our neighbors buy Maine products directly from Maine farmers.

If every Maine family spent just 10 percent of its food budget with local farms, Maine agriculture would become stronger and more sustainable. Everybody wins.

Rep. Nancy E. Smith,

Monmouth