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Keeping in Touch:  The Animals we eat  |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 8:09:09 PM
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Kristin~ Washington states farmers market are working with the welfare system as well which is such a great idea, although they still wont them then use the coupons for free range eggs. We are having meetings in November in which I will attend so hopefully we will see some changes in that.
Alee~ Good point about the serving size and the actual amount of protein needed for health. DO we have a nutritionist in the group... daily serving of protein....I recently read that it should be about 10-25% of your daily food intake (about 46 grams) which can be meat, poultry, nuts, eggs, seeds, soy, milk, yogurt, cheese, and plant proteins like lentils and beans etc. We eat meat protein about 2-3 times a week, the other is plant based... but I still have so much to learn in the area as I still really struggle with weight issues (although have a handle on the health issues, finally).
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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FannyMay
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Tara
Rosston
Arkansas
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 8:45:54 PM
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There has been quiet a bit of discussion on this topic. It thrills my heart to know other women feel the way I do. Sadly there are a lot that don't. A lot of the reasons people buy what they buy is not prices, but lazyness. Just the other day we had a family reunion and I asked my sister in law "my husbands brothers wife" When we get our Jersey would she like to buy some milk? She said "what for? I hardly even use a gallon a week and that is on cold cereal." She has two children 15 and 9. They are never home and she never cooks. They eat a lot of McDonalds and quick foods that are already made. She would not buy good food if you gave it to her because it was not quick and easy enough. By the way her daughter will be 16 in January and they have already bought her a new car!UGGGHHH We have become a society of quick and convenant and that does not help the food situation at all. What ever happened to sitting down to a good home cooked meal. That was really good for you. I wish I live closer to all of you! Finding MJ has been a blessing to my spirits lately!
There is no other life for me, but farm life. |
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chickabella
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
D. A.
Austin... ish,
Texas
177 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 12:03:50 AM
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Karen: I've read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - a fantastic book, and I lent it out immediately. Hoping it makes the rounds through all my friends and relatives.
WRT humanely raised meats - I've already asked Cali readers of my blog to vote yes on Prop 2. On the home front, we're now getting eggs from our free ranging, pasture raised chickens and boy howdy, is there a big difference between them and CAFO eggs!
We've plans to purchase a freezer, and will then work with a local humane cattle rancher for beef. A friend has wild pigs on her property, and has invited me to hunt with her. Although we do have plans to butcher our own poultry, this first year's batch gets a stay of execution, as we have had a huge emotional investment in their raising. For future generations, my personal rule is this: if the chicken has enough personality to warrant a name, then they won't get butchered, *lol*.
Searching out and purchasing humanely raised meats is reminding me of many years ago when I started buying "organic". The extra cost was hard on the pocket book, but I considered it an investment in the health of the planet. I realize that not everyone can afford to do the same, but I will do my best to make those purchases so that others may have that option in the future.
Farm blog: http://farmnatters.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dasparky
Heart of Texas Farmgirls Chapter; Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #275
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Edited by - chickabella on Oct 16 2008 12:04:33 AM |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 07:23:41 AM
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Heather, what an excellent point you make about people spending so much time caring for their lawns when they could get something so much more beneficial to them if they planted gardens instead of grass.
Alee, I do think the amount of meat Americans eat is way too much. You’re right on about the serving size too. When my hubby and I tried our first organic meat (it was a roast I fixed in the crockpot) we couldn’t believe the difference in taste. And the really amazing thing is that we ate less because we really tasted the food. As much as it’s been within my power we haven’t eaten anything but natural or organic meat since. The same is true in reverse for me with fruits and vegetables. I’m still working to get my daily 8-10 servings as I never cared much for them. Since we’ve gone organic though, I eat more because they taste better.
Tara, you are singing my song, girl! “Bigger/better/faster/more – it’s the American way!” Oh so wrong, grasshopper!!! American needs us and they need us bad – most of them just don’t realize it yet. So many of us have posted about how wonderful it is to find women of like minds. Ain’t it the truth? Now we need to use the strength we draw from each other and spread the word. There will be a lot of resistant – and some of us have lost friends because of it – but if the choice is keeping a friendship and watching them kill themselves or educating them but losing the friendship, I’ll plant the seed and let someone else water it and watch it grow. We can’t control how people respond but we can decide what we’re going to stand for. They may get mad, they may not care, but they will be watching. We just need to leave the door open for them to ask questions when they’re ready.
Rene, as always, great thread!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 07:24:44 AM
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A couple of years ago we contacted the Humanely Raised and Handled association to get our farm certified, namely our lamb which is our main crop. During the application process, our most local (still 2 hours away) USDA slaughter plant decided to stop slaughtering lamb. There is no USDA plant within decent driving distance for us anymore, so the Humanely Raised folks backed out of our final inspection (they wanted to visit the plant while our lambs were being slaughtered). Now we sell our direct-market lambs through a State inspected process. Customer purchases the live lamb and as the 'owner' of the lamb pay the slaughter, cut/wrap fees even though the lamb never leaves our place (we arrange for the slaughter truck to come here and do the deed, etc.) This is Washington law...no restaurant or store or individual cuts can be sold by the pound through this state inspected way of doing it. I truly understand the reasons for USDA inspections and quality control of our food supply, but this just adds to the challenges a farmer faces to try to sell local and not market through commercial markets. When I say commercial markets, I mean the big buyers who own the big plants, i.e., a certain lamb company in Northern California sends a truck up once a month during the summer months and buys lambs here in Washington. They are put into feedlots and pastures in Oregon and California and 'finished' before slaughter. I see this company's lamb in the store frequently.
I feel that the losses of outlets (USDA inspected) for lamb slaughter are holding back the buy local movement for meat. It would be so nice to be able to sell cuts of meats (chops, leg roasts, shanks) to the customer through the farmer's market or a little mom and pop local store but this requires USDA inspection. I guess it's just not penciling out to slaughter lamb? I don't know what the issue is. I called every stinkin' USDA slaughter plant in the state and only one slaughters lambs and they are 4 hours away. I can't make it pencil out economically to haul lambs that far, go back and pick it up, etc.
So, it's my opinion there are road blocks from higher up in promoting local foods through the proper channels presently. Farm eggs...you see driveway signs all over our valley for "eggs for sale"...last I read this is illegal and eggs have to be inspected and we have no farm inspection system for "driveway eggs" at this time. Oregon has an awesome farm egg program with a yearly inspection done and some easy but good guidelines for proper egg handling - kind of a "license" of sorts.
We here on this list know that local and naturally raised is important...but we have to get the state ag offices to help us get the food to the consumer as the consumer is definitely a "lazy" one and wants to be hand-fed...put it in front of their faces and they will buy. I think the "big boys" like the huge corporate meat plants and companies are holding this type of legislation back. They have a big corner on the market and why give that up?
I know I'm rambling but thought you might like to hear some of the obstacles the farmer is facing.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 08:00:03 AM
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Jami,
I know that what your are speaking of is a HUGE problem here in Washington State. I have friends Stephanie and Jamie that own Greenehillfarms,(www.greenehillfarms.com) they are organic farmers here, all their ground is certified organic and they raise grass fed organic beef, pigs and sheep. And even with all the expense of becoming certified, and the additional things it takes to meet those requirements they cannot "sell" as Organic because of the NON certified slaughter houses.
Another friend Joel Huesby (www.thunderinghooves.net) has developed a MOBIL slaughter unit ~ from a long haul bed~ that can be pulled out to the animal (less stress) and that has gone through the certification program (no easy deal to hear Joel tell it), but of course it is spendy to have him come or to buy the plans from him to build your own. Joel has really turned into a warrior of sorts for the Washington State ranchers and is a wealth of knowledge. It often feels like "government" does more to get in the way of those that are trying to "go back" and do things "right" then try to be accommodating ~ which is wildly frustrating.
For me, the "action" of buying from these folks is almost an "activist" kind of thing... as I feel like my $$$ (as little as it is) is going to support something that I believe in as well as a farming family. It isn't easy to "buck the system" and follow your conscience when $$$ is involved (as we are seeing all over the news), and while the $$$ may not mean what it use to, it still means something. I have been "surprised" what I can do without, so even pound per pound if I am spending a little more... my grocery bill is still much less as I have gotten rid of a lot of things and I trade and barter with girlfriends for some of the things I want. I went from a lifestyle of trying to keep up with the Jones to one of living in integrity... and now I am finding that the "Jones" are trying to keep up with me.
Tara, Boy do I "get" your story.. It is almost maddening isn't it? For me, I had to have a total physical melt down, before I got it... First being diagnosed with Lupus, going through conventional treatment just to get worse and gaining 60 pounds because of the steroid use, so then I was FAT and SICK... then mid way through that I was diagnosed with Breast cancer and 3 months after that cervical cancer...............Lucky for me, my mind is one that asks WHY about everything... and the why led me to.... "What I was calling Food" and fuel for my body.... RAW milk has been a key player for me (I get mine through Farmgirl Kim Wybenga (www.wybengafarms.com)... and getting back to food the way it was meant to be..........I am cancer free and managing my Lupus holistically (Healing with whole foods by Paul Pitchard) is a fabulous book to start with.
I use to spend wasted energy on trying to understand "how we got here", now I just want to know how to get back. I have spent so much time at the feet of my grandparents and "old timers" in the last few years, really gleaning their wisdom. I think that understanding "how we got here is important~ so we don't make the same mistakes~ but I just want to get back... and bring as many with me... first.
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 08:10:34 AM
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Rene, always good to hear your "testimonies"...very enlightening.
I know Joel and we've discussed this. He is fortunate to own a nice chunk of land and have his family involved in diversifying their farming, though I know he's put in the hard work to get where he's at at Thundering Hooves. I admire him a lot. He has built a fixed USDA plant as well as his mobile plant from what I understand. It's way too far for me unfortunately.
We have contemplated moving to a ag-friendlier state to raise lamb but so far we haven't been able to prove our theory to the credit folks that we could make a living raising sheep if we have more land and USDA processing close. Would have to leave our jobs behind to find a place with land cheap enough to make a go of it. Conundrum again! In the meantime, we're feeding ourselves and a few others around us and the sheep are paying their way and keep our farm viable. We might have to wait until we retire to go "big time" and by then we might be too old to want to work that hard. 
We have enough and are grateful for it.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 08:23:00 AM
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Hey girls,
Just now saw this topic. Actually, there was a similar thread on it when the scandal with HSUS undercover tapes of the poor cows being mistreated came out. While I am a vegetarian, I can respect that people would eat meat that is humanely raised. I live smack dab in the city, but what's nice is that they encourage farmer's markets throughout, and you can get all sorts of meats fruits, veggies, plants and flowers from farmer's upstate, in NJ and PA. I don't think there is an excuse not to try to support local farmers and eat using a system of agriculture.
Unfortunately, as many of you pointed out, there is a system of ignorance as to where "our food comes from" and there really ARE people that think that food magically pops up in the aisles! It's also a shame that people don't realize that beautiful farm-land is swallowed up in our increasing bid for real estate.
Not sure how to alleviate the problem other than to vote where it counts and educate people. My little online magazine is how I try to get the city folk to realize there is a whole other world out there...but I wonder if more can be done....hmmmm..
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
www.pumpkinpatchparlor.etsy.com
And Blogs:
agriculture: www.bigtownfarmer.blogspot.com
art: www.queenofcrows.blogspot.com
animals: www.big-luv.blogspot.com |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 08:23:15 AM
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Jami,
Have you gotten any help from the Small farming division from WSU?
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 10:41:11 AM
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I've skipped down the road of meeting of the minds with USDA Cooperative folks and WSU Extension folks who led me to the USDA folks! What needs to be done is to form a cooperative of farmers who write up grant proposal to get a mobile slaughter plant going and a way to package the products, store and market but there needs to be a board of directors, etc. I couldn't find anyone in the Kittitas valley to join me. Guess there are not enough sheep and most folks do it as a sideline and not their major source of income...regular jobs take precedence. No one has enough land to raise too many lambs but would certainly have enough to feed the lamb needs of the valley and get into stores and go to the west side...however, a lone soldier cannot fight a war. I have found another grant opportunity with the Sheep and Goat folks...can't remember their official name at the moment. Got a call Monday that they have millions of dollars in grant money to award and need applications for innovative sheep/goat promotional grants. I feel like the little red hen...no one wants to help me plant the wheat or sow it but I'll be they will all want a slice of the "pie" once it's out of the oven. It has to be a team effort.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 11:08:07 AM
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Jami, I wish you the very best of luck. And wish I could help in some way. I admire what you are trying to do.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
MJ's Heirloom Maven's Librarian
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 2:56:54 PM
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Jami~I hope that your dream works out. I know it is alot of hard work to get what you need done.
Rene~Amazing story. I am so glad that you were able to find better ways to take care of yourself. I wish we could get raw milk here but it is against the law from what I have heard. I know they threatened to close down a nearby farm because they gave away raw milk to friends and the word got around. So sad.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 3:26:54 PM
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As always, I'm a comin on the the tail end of this. What a bunch a smart girls I hang with!
I know in Ohio you are allowed to sell "driveway eggs" as long as your poultry operation is under.... I wanna say 200 birds but that seems like alot. But I know from working at a hatchery that the laws/restrictions on poultry is pretty lenient.
I too have given up on supermarket meat. I do what Mary Jane suggests in one of her books....perimeter shop. We have a local grocer here thats also a farmer. He turned his barn into a grocery store and he sells his home grown veggies and the meat section is outstanding. its the ONLY place I will buy meat from. As far as chicken goes, I raise my own and take them to some Mennonites to butcher. They are inspected and do a great job. I dont have a problem doing it myself, I just dont know how.... i can clean it and cut it up... but the rest....not so sure.
Rene.... again thanks for the great thread....
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2008 : 07:31:39 AM
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Thanks for the encouragement, girls.
When the restaurants started calling wanting to showcase our lamb, I was working hard to get it to happen...then the floor fell out from under me losing the USDA processing. I guess that's where the frustration came from--opportunity knocked and I couldn't answer the door!
It's interesting how different states have such different regulations regarding agriculture, i.e., the "driveway" eggs laws, etc. Here it's like fighting city hall constantly and it gets tiresome. That is where MJ's has been good for me. I have found I am satisfied with feeding ourselves and making do with our situation as it is and when an opportunity shows itself, I will hopefully have the wisdom to jump on it, if it's right. For now, we sell out of lamb every year and sell enough breeding stock to keep the sheep fed so I'm happy. The wool-end of our farm business is growing so that's kind of fun to explore the opportunities there.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2008 : 07:57:45 AM
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Ruth,
Washington State went through that as well. How silly to have Raw milk illegal.. anyway, you can check out who is doing what in your area at www.realmilk.com
I wish you were closer too.. not just for the milk :)
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2008 : 09:30:06 AM
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I've kind of lost the trail of this conversation, but I just wanted to say re: the original post: I'm not a big Oprah fan, but I'm so glad she's picking up this topic. I worked in a bookstore at the time when her Book Club began, and I saw how many people bought books that they would never have touched if she didn't say so. If all those Oprah fans start demanding organic, locally raised food, it would be a big boost to small farmers all across the country.
The loss of farmland, and the environmental and humane issues of big feedlots are two of the main reasons why I stopped eating meat 10 years ago. I don't think it would be easy for me to slaughter animals myself, but I understand that it has a place in our food chain if it is done in a natural and kind way. |
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2008 : 1:23:56 PM
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Amie~I agree with you. I never watch Oprah but know that by doing this show more people will start to think about where their food is coming from and how it is raised. Many of those in her audience would never have given it a second thought if she had not done that show.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2008 : 06:18:05 AM
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Jami,
I hear what your saying and it seems that there are others experiencing the same things, which I would think makes it all the more frustrating. If you still have meat for sell, send me your price sheet and I can post it at the market here as well as make sure that our local chefs know about you.
As for the mobile slaughters, there has to be a way... and there has to be a grant writer who is on staff somewhere to take this on. Doesn’t farm bureau have full time grant writers? Hmmm!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2008 : 08:13:03 AM
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Rene, thanks for the referral ideas but I chefs cannot buy anything from us as we're not USDA inspected. I don't have that option for my lamb any longer and cannot make it worthwhile to drive to far places in the state to make it happen--I couldn't make a dime on it.
I'm sold out of locker lambs for this year so nothing available at the moment but will let you know when I have more and appreciate the referrals. I marketed most of our lambs through a California company this year as they send a truck up and buy lambs during the summer months.
It's the grant writing that is holding me back on the mobile slaughter plant and the lack of a board of people to help with the whole process. This is something that I am now putting on the back burner as I am so busy with my paying jobs. Once I am no longer WSSP secretary, I will devote some time and effort to this again.
I always appreciate your can-do attitude Rene. It's not only refreshing but very "catching." Makes me feel like maybe we could make it happen someday!
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2008 : 10:49:09 AM
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Jami,
I believe anything is possible, "when there is a will, there is a way".. sometimes it just takes time to find the way..................
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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ranchmama
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Elise
Rosebud
MT
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 12:09:24 PM
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Back to the topic... Please read this article.
http://npaper-wehaa.com/wlj#c-86555
I hope the link works. It is from the Western Livestock Journal, a major agriculture newspaper and read by almost anyone in ag, including us.
So.. I've been following this topic and I have been wanting to comment, but I don't have the right words a so please bear with me.. :) I don't want to step on toes here. Just all my thoughts are a jumble right now! lol
This topic frightens me because I am a producer. It's happening with chickens and hogs, soon it will happen with beef. I hear you when you say you want local meat and that you want those animals treated with respect and humanly. I know there are those that don't but many who do. The issue of the pigs tails... they are cut off for a reason.. its sanitary and if a pig has his tail, the other pigs in the pen will chew it off. It's just what pigs do. So the hog farmer is helping the pig. And the farrowing crates. They are small because sows aren't the best mothers. They are designed for the piglets saftey. The sow can weigh up to 500 lbs and she don't always look where she lays. If the crate is small enough, she won't crush her babies. Again, the hog farmer helping the pigs. I'm not sure about chickens. I'm sure they need more room, but if all chickens were free range, they would pick up diseases and sicknesses. And, no matter how much people who live in town love eggs and fried chicken, they don't want them running around in their gardens and flowers. Same with hogs. They can't be just raised outside. Not with out problems. I know that most of you have your own animals and they are fine.
If you read the article, it says that if the proposition passes that producers will leave the state of California to go elsewhere. This means job loss, money loss. Chickens alone bring in $323 million! and 6,000 jobs. Where will those people go for work? Follow their job? Or hang around on welfare and rely on the government to support them? So if all the egg producers leave, that mean the CA's will have to get their eggs elsewhere. How will you buy localy if the eggs are out of state? The ones that do stay will have to build more henhouses and need more land... who will pay for that? You, the shopper at the grocery store.
I'm just asking that you look at this from a different point of view and think of what it could bring for the future.
For instance the horse slaughter bill. It was a good idea when the law/bill was thought up, but is hurting people, and most of all horses now. There are wild horses running loose on highways and in peoples yards and gardens and flowers. They don't want them now. The horse market has made a nose dive and people are abandoning their horses to fend for themselves because it is against the law to slaughter them. Not so humane is it?
I hope I have made sence...It's just so hard to type out your feelings online.
Just read the article and think about it again.
Elise
Every Child Deserves Our Love &
A Bear of Their Own
http://ATeddyForKeeps.org
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ranchmama/ |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 12:26:01 PM
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Elise,
Thanks so much for the link. I know this is such a complex issue and not one necessarily just for animals as we have the same discussions around fruit and veggies here in the Valley where farmers are producing HUGE amounts and marketing it and it are their livelihood. As someone who was a licensed crop agent and who has been married to a farmer for 25 years and who has grown up on a farm, as well as lived with a hubby who has worked in both corporate Ag and family farms ~ I do understand that there are many sides to these issues and each of us needs to follow what our convictions are. There will always be beautiful farm people and farmgirls that will make other choices then I choose, and that is 100% Ok I think it is more important to have the conversations then to be in agreement, always. I count myself blessed to have friends (close friends, life long friends) on both sides of the issue it makes for a more informed life I think....
I hear you loud and clear and no, there isn’t any "perfect" answer. Even for someone like me who supports "Shop local" and lives it, all we can do is what seems right to us as individuals. Thank you SO much for being willing to be a part of the conversation, I really value that, and love that you felt comfortable to post your opinion as that is what healthy realtionships are.... Guess that makes us not just farmgirls, but sisters....
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new information."[6] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 2:06:21 PM
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Elise:
Thanks for sharing the article and your bent on things. I'll read it. I hear where you are coming from and can see from your perspective. Interesting how farmers keep getting legislated to do things a certain way and yet the voter/consumer sure does expect the grocery store shelves to be full! The only way less intense livestock production would work is for meat costs to go up substantially so the farmer could raise less numbers on the same amount of land. Only so much to go around.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Keeping in Touch: The Animals we eat |
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The Animals we eat
