I'm happy that the USDA is promoting "Know your farmer- know your food". The horror stories about the food supply that trickles into the US from other countries and the recalls on beef and other products should scare Americans enough that they would want to know EXACTLY where their food comes from. Here in rural Iowa, there isn't any reason why people can't buy locally grown and produced foods. It is my opinion that all Americans should have a little garden and purchase as much locally grown food as possible. In the end, it would save on massive recalls, fuel used for trucking foods long distances, factory pollution from processed foods, and a decrease in the use of preservatives and other chemicals that are added to keep food "fresh" for longer periods of time.
We raise our own beef and know exactly the life it has had. We know what it has been fed and if it's been treated with antibiotics (rarely, if ever). It is my goal to go back to the basics in life. I want to continue to eat my own beef and my own raised pork. I am learning about beekeeping so I can have my own honey. I plan to plant and take better care of a vegetable garden (I haven't done very well with that in the past!). I want to get my own chickens this spring and plan to purchase a pastureizer so I can have my own milk to drink from the dairy, my own butter, cream and possibly cheese. Every time I purchase milk in the grocery store, I think to myself, "This is ridicuous. I have 64 dairy cows and I am BUYING milk!!".
With the way the world is going, I think it's in everyone's best interest to become as self sufficient as possible. That's my plan. Want to join me??
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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Great post! Looking forward to hearing more about Bee Keeping!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Unfortunately the society we live in promotes corporations and dominance of the food industry by several companies. These companies are concerned with profit margins rather than the quality of food or the health of its consumers.
ReplyDeleteTo most, living sustainably is a fad. They buy a Toyota Prius, organic bananas from Wal-Mart and think they are making a difference. Organic regulation of foods is a tricky subject, and it still stands that the best way to get “true” foods is from local farmers who don’t need to lie about how they grow crops. You can look at my post HERE and see how the major players in the food industries are taking over the organic movement. There are still some national companies that are respectable and refuse to take giant buyouts.
Buying processed foods that contains GMO products, frozen, excessively packaged, grown half the world away is the exact opposite of sustainable. That sad fact is that most people can’t/won’t get away from buying such food, as it is CHEAP. We are brought up in a capitalistic society based on consumerism. Profit margins and the accumulation of wealth is the driving factor of America. It’s time to pay respect to local farmers who produce and sell good quality food. Why pad the pockets of giant corporations to save a few dollars. It makes no sense.
Many people do not have access to raising a small vegetable garden. I encourage people to support their local farmer markets. Most states, including Iowa, are governed by strict laws that market vendors must follow. It is not uncommon to see a state health inspector walking around a farmer market and inspecting tables and talking to the vendors. I encourage market shoppers to "get to know" your farmer, ask questions, ask how to prepare a specific vegetable, ask what the next crop will be. Most vendors welcome questions and love to share their knowledge, and truly appreciate the support of a regular customer.
ReplyDeletereagan, you have just taken me back to my youth!! I grew up on a small dairy/potato farm during the 30s and 40s, and we were almost totally self-sufficient. And yes, we drank our own milk! So delicious, and the whipped cream ... on chocolate cake, gingerbread, pies, etc. Had all kinds of meat from the farm, poultry, etc. We even churned our own butter sometimes. The gardens during WWII were called Victory Gardens, and we canned everything from them, also. It was a Wonderful Life, and I have been so grateful everyday for it, over the years.
ReplyDeleteMy DH and I still plant a garden and love the fresh veggies from it. We are not close enough to zip down into Iowa to your Farmers' Market, but we gladly support the one in our little city.
Forge on!! It is all worth it!