Archive for May, 2009
We will return next week!!
May 19, 2009Wisconsin dairy farmers want families to get a taste of the rural life
May 15, 2009from: twincities.com
Spring is a busy time on Harvey and Jackie Menn’s Monroe County dairy farm.
Fences need mending. Baby animals need tending. Crops need planting. And daily chores don’t go away.
But with 2,500 guests expected June 6 for the 29th annual Monroe County Dairy Breakfast, the family has been pulling double-duty.
“We’ve always loved the dairy breakfast and wanted to host,” said Kayla Menn, 17, who with her siblings asked her parents to have the event on their property. “We always figured this is a cool spot and a big farm, and wanted to share it with people.”
The Reader’s 2009 Guide to CSAs and Subscription Farms
May 15, 2009from: chicagoreader.com
“In keeping with the rage for all things local and sustainable, an increasingly popular way to foster small, regional family farms is community-supported agriculture, or CSAs, through which you can buy a share that gets you weekly or biweekly deliveries of seasonal fruits and vegetables; there are also CSAs specializing in meat and poultry, and some offer farm eggs. Orders typically range from half to three-quarters of a bushel. Most CSAs use neighborhood drop-off spots such as farmers’ markets, but some provide home delivery for an additional fee.”
AFBF Not Happy with US-EU Beef Agreement
May 15, 2009from: hoosieragtoday.com
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman says Farm Bureau is disappointed that the provisional agreement announced Wednesday between the United States and the European Union in the beef hormone dispute did not fully open the EU market to U.S. beef. He pointed out that, unfortunately, the provisional agreement continues to allow the EU to maintain its restrictions on U.S. beef imports in a manner inconsistent with science-based decision making and world trade rules.
While the agreement provides new duty-free access for hormone-free beef, Stallman says, “It is long past time for the EU to abide by the rules and dispute settlement decisions of the World Trade Organization.”
While Farm Bureau appreciates the efforts of the Office of the United States Trade Representative to expand beef marketing opportunities, Stallman emphasized, “We strongly support efforts to require our trading partners to comply with international standards and fully open their markets to U.S. beef.”
Grasslands: the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
May 15, 2009from: innovations-report.com
“Authors of a new book explain why grassland should be a permanent component of our ecosystem for ensuring the future of sustainable agriculture.”
Localvor agriculture leads to wave of entrepreneurs
May 15, 2009from: vermontbiz.com
“Vermont’s newest business startups are coming from a surprising sector of the economy not related to technology, manufacturing or tourism. The state, which boasts the highest percentage of people who buy locally grown food, is seeing a surge in small farmers. They say the growing cost of food shipped from California and elsewhere, coupled with concern about America’s use of gasoline and an overall concern for food safety is spurring local agriculture.”
Shoppers Deceived By ‘Natural’ Label on Injected Meat
May 14, 2009from: thepoultrysite.com
“A survey of consumers carried out by Foster Farms has revealed they feel deceived that chicken injected with saline can be labelled ‘natural’.
Amidst an increasing national focus on sodium as a critical health issue, US West Coast poultry producer, Foster Farms, has launched a comprehensive consumer campaign to raise awareness of saltwater-injected or ‘plumped’ chicken.
‘Plumping’ – or the injecting – of fresh, raw chicken with saltwater is a practice employed by many chicken companies which costs consumers money and contributes to serious health issues. Under current USDA labelling laws, brands that plump their poultry may still label their chicken as ’100 Per Cent Natural’ or ‘All-Natural’.”
Prairies becoming a priority
May 14, 2009from: weatherforddemocrat.com
“Neophytes and old timers alike can see first-hand how grazing management techniques and sound planning can improve an existing ranch operation.
While viewing a certified organic beef cattle and sheep operation, participants will be familiarized with electric cross fencing, brush management, plant identification, wildlife resources and herd management techniques.
“This is an excellent opportunity to observe production on native grazing lands that has proven sustainable with relatively low inputs,” stated Parker County Extension Agent Jon Green.”
Over 125 Organic Livestock Factsheets
May 14, 2009Meat and greet
May 14, 2009from: mnn.com
“Applegate Farms focuses on farm-to-table transparency, letting customers track their meat’s journey online.”
Organic Trade Organization 2009 fund campaign raises over $520,000
May 14, 2009“The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2009 Annual Fund Campaign raised over $520,000 to help fund OTA’s government affairs programs in the United States and Canada and marketing and public relations work to raise the profile of organic products across all sectors. The theme for this year’s fund campaign was “Today. Tomorrow, Together, Organic,” reflecting OTA’s vision to bring organic to the next level of growth and sustainability by industry members working together on issues and goals.”
The Ceres Trust: An Organic Research Proposal
May 12, 2009from: thecerestrust.org
“The Ceres Trust has announced that it will make grants for organic research totaling $500,000 later this year to organizations, universities, and other nonprofit institutions in the 12-state North Central Region.
A Request for Applications (RFA) will be posted for the new organic research initiative on a Ceres Trust website the first week of June. Applications for the competitive grants initiative will be due September 1, 2009, and grant decisions will be announced in late November.
Grants of up to $60,000 per year for up to three years will be made. Applicants submitting grant proposals must be based in the 12-state region to be eligible. The states in the region are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The website where the Request for Applications will be posted during the first week of June, and made available for downloading, is www.thecerestrust.org.
The Ceres Trust is a privately administered charitable trust based in the Midwest.”
A Swinish Proposal
May 12, 2009from: nytimes.com
“After a week of relentless swine flu coverage, I decided to take a stand. I tucked into a plate of succulent, crisp-skinned pernil, the Dominican slow-roasted pork shoulder, at El Puente restaurant in Williamsburg. At a house party this weekend, I served garlicky pork kielbasa.
Swine flu, or H1N1 flu, cannot be transmitted through pork or pork products, experts and public health officials have repeatedly reassured us. Yet several countries have banned American pork, and Egypt last week culled thousands of pigs. Here in America, some consumers are steering clear of pork chops, pork commodity prices have fallen, and hog farmers’ worry that the flu will make a large dent in sales.
It’s a perfect excuse to declare my personal “Support Pork Week.”
Ready to Learn about Raising Grass-Fed Beef?
May 12, 2009from: dtnprogressivefarmer.com
“The business of grass finishing beef is not for the faint of heart. It takes a year-round supply of high-quality forages to produce the gains and marbling needed for a tasty end product. And Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate.
But it can be done. Here is a collection of forage management tips from hearty souls with successful grass-finished beef enterprises.”
Six Tips for Applying Manure to Wet Soil
May 12, 2009“A wet spring in parts of the Midwest is causing some manure application challenges, according to Tamilee Nennich, Purdue Extension nutrient management specialist. “It’s important for the manure to stay on the field,” Nennich says. “We do not want nutrients to run off the fields or leach through the soil, especially when there are tile lines. We want to conserve those nutrients and keep them on the field. It’s especially important to not apply manure to saturated soils or if you know a rainfall is coming.”
