Greetings,
Recent rains have made things look a lot better here at the farm. Six weeks with no rain almost destroyed the early summer crops. As a result, we have had very small amounts of some vegetables. But plants are green and growing again. Soon they will begin to bear fruit.
Pastures are holding up and grass is growing. The cows are content with the fresh flush of forage.
The FDA has finally said they don’t know where the latest salmonella outbreak came from. We are not sure we believe them. And it sure did devastate tomato growers in some areas. Really, it all seems a bit suspicious especially in light of some of the things USDA wants to do.
There are three things officials want to impose on the fruit and vegetable growers and handlers. And the recent reported outbreaks of bacterial contamination will probably be the things they will use to convince the public to accept them.
First, they want to require all vegetable and fruit growers to be trained in what they call ‘best growing and handling practices’ and have their operation certified by an independent agency. That doesn’t sound too bad except the farmer has to foot the bill. And what about all the fruits and vegetables imported from third world countries that may be grown and handled in unsanitary conditions. Oh, they have a plan for that too as we will see in a moment.
Secondly, they want to assign each US grower an ID number which will go on all packaging so the product can be traced back to its place of origin. Not a bad idea except every farm already has a number from the Farm Service Agency and the Soil and Water Conservation Service. I suppose they will need to create another ‘agency’ to oversee and enforce this mandate.
The third thing the USDA and FDA want to do is require all fruits and vegetables be irradiated. Irradiation is exposing the produce to a large enough dose of radiation to kill anything living on or in it. The governing agencies assure us it is totally safe and there are no changes affecting its taste or health value.
However, those opposed to irradiation point out scientific studies that show there are changes to quality, and taste, as well as things dangerous to human health. For articles opposed to radiation visit www.organicconsumers.org/irradlink.cfm. As we understand it, organic products will not be irradiated.
Why does the government want to impose this questionable practice? It is what corporate agribusiness wants. For one thing, it would take care of imported products grown under whatever conditions. And irradiation increases the shelf life of produce two to three times. There’s nothing left to spoil! Never mind people will be eating dead fruits and vegetables!
Our freezers at the market are packed with Pasture Finished Jersey Beef and Pasture Raised Chicken as well as Home Grown Pork sausage and roasts. We have a couple of beef items on sale.
From our garden we have some delicious tomatoes and small amounts of green beans, squash, cucumbers, and garlic along with potatoes and onions.
Market hours are:
Wed. – Thurs. – 10:00 until 2:00 ( limited products)
Fri. – 9:00 until 3:00
Sat. – 8:00 until 4:00
Everything we have is the very best quality we can produce. There are no chemicals, preservatives or additives. Everything is natural just like God made it. So come on out and shop with confidence that you are choosing the most delicious and healthy food available.
Blessings