Archive for the 'political issues' Category

Only a Farmer?

Published by
admin
at August 27, 2009 in Triad Farmers Market and political issues. 0 Comments

Greetings,

It has sure been a hot day at 94 degrees here. I have been out raking and baling hay. No, we don’t have a tractor with an air-conditioned cab. So we get the heat and dust but also the sweet smell of freshly cured hay!

We are hoping for rain since it is really getting dry. Our gardens are producing less because of low moisture. And we would soon have fall greens with a good rain. But that is all a part of the farming experience.

We lost one of our farmer neighbors this week. He was run over by a farm tractor while hauling up hay.He was only 53 years old. While the news was certainly a shock to us a statement in his obituary was even more shocking. It stated he was “only a farmer.” I don’t know who wrote that and maybe it was a mistake but I am afraid there are many in our society that don’t realize if it were not for farmers there would be no food. Someone has said one of the problems with American society is we have never been really hungry. That’s probably worth pondering. If we don’t value what someone does then we are not willing to pay much for what they produce.

In our last news letter we introduced our local organic shiitake mushrooms. Several of you have already bought some. The health and nutritional benefits benefits of shiitakes is well documented and those grown on natural hardwood logs, like ours, have higher levels of beneficial compounds than those grown on other materials. Some of the compounds aid in digestion, lower cholesterol, are anti-aging, suppress cancer tumors, and boost the immune system. With all the talk about the possibility of an influenza outbreak consuming shiitakes might be a way to bolster our immune system against that and other viruses.

Beginning this week, we are having a 10% off sale on all beef and chicken products. We know you like sales so we hope you will take advantage of this offer.

We continue to have a few dozen fresh free-range farm eggs. The early bird gets the worm on these so to speak. More will be available when our new pullets begin to lay.

Vegetable items include squash, field peas, purple hull crowder peas, red crowder peas, green beans, okra, about five types of heirloom tomatoes (including romas), eggplant, peppers, onions, potatoes, basil and arugula. Not all items are always available during the week but we try to have some of everything on Saturday.

Market hours are Tuesday through Friday (9:00 until 3:00) and Saturday (8:00 until 4:00). We are at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, Farmer’s area #2, booth 74.

Bring your shopping baskets and meet us at the market!

A new pathway to sustainable farming in NC

Published by
admin
at December 17, 2008 in Farm News, Sustainable farming and political issues. 0 Comments

The concept of a local and regional food system is growing in popularity. Various groups are getting involved in researching and developing the idea. One of these is the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) sponsored by NC State and A&T Universities. They have a program aimed at influencing state legislators to support local food initiatives.

Below is a flyer describing their program including opportunities for you to get involved. More information may be found at www.cefsfarmtofork.com.

Building a Sustainable Local Food Economy in North Carolina:

From Farm-to-Fork

We are pleased to announce that over the next year, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (www.cefs.ncsu.edu) has been funded to reach out across the state and together with our partners ask: What will it take to build a sustainable local food economy in North Carolina?

From the mountains to the coast, various organizations are promoting and implementing exciting initiatives to support our state and communities through sustainable local agriculture.  Examples include new farmer’s markets, local food policy councils, comprehensive county- or region-based food initiatives, farm incubator programs, farm and/or garden youth education programs, health and nutrition projects focused on local sustainable foods, procurement initiatives by large retail and institutional buyers and schools, and much more.

If each North Carolinian spent 55 cents/day on local food (just 5 percent of the $4010.00 that we spend on average on food consumption per year), it would mean $1.7 billion for the state’s economy.  That money circulates here in the state so has a multiplier effect, rather than going to a corporate headquarters in another state.

Other benefits of a sustainable local food economy in North Carolina include economic development, job creation within farming and food sectors, preservation of open space, decreased use of fossil fuel and associated carbon emissions, preservation and protection of the natural environment, increased consumer access to fresh and nutritious foods, and greater food security for all North Carolinians.

Over the next year, CEFS and its partners will be gathering information from across food system sectors:  conducting regional meetings, targeted issues discussions, interviews, and hosting a statewide summit on March 2 and 3, 2009.   Our desired result is a Statewide Action Plan for Building the Local Food Economy with specific steps (short- and long-term) that policy makers, Universities, government agencies, environmental organizations, businesses, funding agencies, social activists, NGOs and citizens can take to make this happen.

The first three regional meetings, held in Raleigh, Burgaw, and Asheville, were very well attended.  Because of the interest, three additional meetings have been added:

Charlotte area:  December 8, 2008.  1:30-4:30 at Cabarrus Arena and Event Center.  The address is: 4751 Highway 49 North, Concord, NC 28025 and directions can be found at: http://www.cabarrusarena.com/pages/Direction.html.

Winston-Salem:  December 10, 2008.  5:30-8:30 PM.  SciWorks. 400 W Hanes Mill Rd, Winston Salem, (336) 767-6734.  directions:  http://www.sciworks.org/SciInfoDirections.html.

Greenville:  December 15, 2008.  1:30-4:30 at St. Timothy’s, 107 Louis St., Greenville.

Please RSVP to amber_polk@ncsu.edu if you are attending a regional meeting as these meetings have been filling up, and check the initiative website (www.cefsfarmtofork.com) for updates.

The purpose of the regional meetings is to bring together those engaged in all aspects of the food system, to collect information and ideas that will be the building blocks of discussion at the summit and eventually the core components of the State Action Plan.  We want to identify specific regional and local sustainable food systems models that are working and also regional challenges that can be addressed through policies, programs, and funding. We seek to engage the broad group of those involved with the food system including farmers, suppliers, processors, economic development organizations, distributors, farm and food industry workers, extension and other educators, marketers, financial institutions, Universities and community colleges, elected officials, government agencies, county and city planners, farm organizations, anti-poverty organizers, social justice workers, consumers and consumer groups, granting agencies, health and wellness organizations, environmental groups, food banks, and more. These regional meetings will be facilitated listening sessions and provide important input into this process, so we are encouraging broad participation.

The end product–the State Action Plan–will articulate a shared vision and set of common goals for building a local, sustainable food system and economy in North Carolina.  It will:

1)            describe key elements of our current food system and define key terms;

2)            identify the diversity of people, businesses, and organizations involved in and impacted by North Carolina’s food system;

3)            highlight specific efforts and partnerships underway across our state and within different sectors of the food system to achieve greater “localness” in our food system; and

4)            identify opportunities for action, and propose priorities, both in the short and long term, that will enable us to make progress toward shared goals.

Finally, another key goal of this process is the formation of an ongoing working committee or task force, with broad representation across food system sectors that will focus on facilitating and carrying out action items, provide ongoing networking opportunities, and revise the action plan as needs and priorities change.

A “Road to the State Action Plan” listserv has been established to keep participants up to date on activities and progress. Please respond to Amber_polk@ncsu.edu to be added to the listerv. If you or your organization is engaged in a food systems project, please take a minute to fill out the contact information sheet attached or found on the website for this initiative (www.cefsfarmtofork.com) describing the nature of the work you or your organization does.  This information will be included in a database for all participants, and may also result in further interviews by the project team. If you have questions about the initiative, or would like more information about the State Action Plan, please contact nancy_creamer@ncsu.edu, CEFS Director.   For more information about CEFS, see:  www.cefs.ncsu.edu.

Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested in becoming involved with this project.  .

We continue to be at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market on Saturday from 8:00 until 3:00.

We still have fall greens including kale, mustard, collards, and arugula.

Several items in the meat department are on sale:

Whole Chickens – 10% off

Split Chicken Breasts – 25% off

All Steaks – 10% off – includes fillets, NY strip, rib eye, and sirloin

Pork breakfast sausage, 1 lb. bulk, mild or hot – $4.00 lb

We want to wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! And thanks for all your business which has helped make this the most successful year ever for us!

Alternative fuels

Published by
admin
at May 22, 2008 in political issues. 0 Comments

There is a good spring hay crop this year and we have been busy trying to get it made. The problem has been getting enough sunshine to get it cured. The other problem is affording enough diesel fuel for “Old Blue.” (our farm tractor) So hay making costs are up along with everything else.

The nice cool spring weather has made it comfortable out working. And for cool weather crops, such as potatoes, it has been a great season. However, some of the warm weather vegetables are growing slowly and will probably be later than usual. I’m sure summer is on its way though.

Fuel prices continue to rise and no one seems to know what to do about it. The oil companies have a different excuse almost every day. Politicians just blame each other. Meanwhile, most of us are hurting and feverishly trying to adjust. Since oil is a basic part of our economy everything is increasing in price.

But, as we have said, there are alternatives. Every city or county that has a landfill should have a methane gas collecting system. The methane could be used to produce electricity or for other energy needs. Since methane is said to contribute to “global warming”, or is at least a pollutant, it seems to just make sense to use it. The city or county could sell or trade the energy to reduce their operating cost.

Since it is Memorial Day weekend we should all honor our military personnel both past and present. We personally think most wars are unnecessary. But those guys and gals deserve our thanks.

Our freezers are well stocked with Pasture Finished Jersey Beef, Pastured Chicken, and Homegrown Pork. It is the beginning of cook-out season so we have a special sale on sirloin steaks at 10% off the regular price.

Vegetables are a little slow in coming but we will have some Jericho Romaine lettuce and a bit of arugula and kale along with strawberries. We continue to have some Heirloom tomato and herb plants.

NWV News

Published by
admin
at March 27, 2008 in Farm News and political issues. 0 Comments

I recommend this site NWV News North American Military Agreement Signed by US and Canada. You should check out this article.

Gorgeous Fall Greens

Published by
admin
at November 21, 2007 in Farm News and political issues. 1 Comment

Hello,

We will be at the Triad Farmers Market Wed. (21) -9:00 to 2:00, the day before Thanksgiving, and will not be there on Sat. (24) which is the Sat. after Thanksgiving. Beginning Sat., Dec. 1, we will be there every Sat. until New Year, weather permitting.

We have gorgeous fall greens and turnip roots. We still have a few pastured chickens, all cuts of pasture finished Jersey beef and homegrown pork.

An issue about the USDA’s National Animal Identification Service (NAIS) has come to my attention. Attached is a statement by the now candidate for president Ron Paul that describes the detrimental effects of the NAIS on small farmers and people who own even one animal. Briefly, it would require all livestock owners (even one horse, cow, rabbit, goat, pig, chicken, duck, pigeon, etc.) to register their premises in a national database. Also, each animal would have to have a microchip identification from birth to death. If an animal leaves the registered premises, for any reason, it must be reported within 24 hrs. or risk enormous fines. The cost would probably drive many small farmers out of business, not to mention millions spent by Uncle Sam. It would, at the least, spell the end of free ownership and commerce of livestock in the US.

At the moment, after public outcry, participation in NAIS is ‘voluntary’. However, states are pressured to use deceptive and coercive tactics to increase registrations. For instance, remember the $500,000 to aid farmers with shipping costs for hay because of the drought? Unless your farm is in the NAIS you don’t qualify. People that have animals processed at USDA facilities, like we do, are added to the list without their knowledge or consent.

The urgent issue,at the moment , is Section 10305 of the Livestock Title that is elusively attached to the 2007 Farm Bill currently being considered in the US Senate. If passed, the language of 10305 validates NAIS without legislative debate on the program. Also, a non- disclosure clause would make it illegal, under threat of fines or imprisonment, for anyone to report any details concerning NAIS including contaminated product recalls and disease outbreaks. So a program that is purported to preserve the health of the public would keep you in the dark and vulnerable.

Perhaps most troublesome of all is this applies to only American agriculture. Imported meat has no tracking requirement. Of course, all this was cooked up by USDA, Agribusiness, and the electronics industry.

For more information on NAIS see: www.nonais.org (read Farm Bill Update  2007-11-08); www.stopanimalid.org

For more on Section 10305, including action alerts see: www.libertyark.net; www.openthegovernment.org/otg/farm_bill_letter.pdf; www.downsizedc.net/2007/nov/13/nais_vote_at_any_moment; www.westonaprice.org/federalupdate/aa2007/01nov07.html

The correct way to contact your Senator and Congressman is included in these web pages. We urge you to voice opposition immediately. And spread the word to everyone you can.

Blessings,

Joe Peterson

2007 Farm Bill

Published by
admin
at August 24, 2007 in Farm News and political issues. 0 Comments

The group researching Jersey Beef from NCSU will be at the Triad Farmers Market this Saturday (25th). They plan to be there around 9:00 AM and will be cooking beef samples and recording people’s responses. We hope you can come by and give them your input.

We understand the 2007 Farm Bill has passed the US House and will be considered by the Senate soon. There doesn’t seem to be any major changes except the most one entity can receive in a year is one million instead of two million dollars. The Farm Bill historically involves billions of dollars to subsidize agribusiness. Forty percent of American farmers do not receive any subsidy. Of the remaining sixty percent, 75% of the money goes to the top ten percent. And “…the richest five percent average about $470,000 each.” (Editorial in Washington Post, Oct. 19, 2005) There is absolutely no program to support small sustainable farms.

The farm subsidy is modeled after the European Union’s program and has about the same effect. We question why do we have to model our programs after someone else? The US did not become the worlds only super power by duplicating what others do. We believe the problem is we do not have any real leaders today. No one has the backbone or heart to set policies for the common good. Justice and equality are supposed to be a foundation of our society, but special interests of the powerful and wealthy obscures the needs of the majority.

All this government money fuels the conventional farming programs the USDA has pushed for sixty years. And the devastating effects on our environment are the return, in part, on our tax money.

Our produce is now in short supply due to the drought, excessive heat, and an over-population of starving deer. It has been over 100 degrees here most days for the last two weeks. With little or no rain crops just cannot produce. And, in spite of all our preventative measures, it is impossible to keep hungry deer away. We have a few tomatoes and okra and that is about all.

We have a good supply of Jersey beef and pork sausage. We have chicken breast, whole legs, wings, etc. Due to the excessive heat we will not have whole chickens until the middle of September.

We will be at the Triad market Friday (9:00 to 1:00) and Saturday (8:00 to 4:00).

Blessings,
Joe Peterson