The Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production, a two-and-a-half year long study by a non-profit organization, calls for urgent and major reform of confined animal operations. “One of the most serious unintended consequences of industrial food animal production is the growing public health threat of these types of facilities,” the report said. “There is [...]
Cows aren’t Legos: Sassy Insights from an Organic Dairy Farmer
April 30, 2008 By
“Cows aren’t Legos,” explains Jerri Cook, an organic dairy farmer and writer from the Wisconsin northwoods. “You can’t just rearrange genetic parts and expect it to be a cow anymore.” Cook, along with her husband, Wayne, currently milk a herd of 25 cows, selling their milk to Organic Valley Family of Farms, the largest farmer-owned [...]
Say What? President Bush Encourages Americans to Eat Local
April 30, 2008 By
Headlines from today’s White House press conference included a quote from President Bush encouraging Americans to eat local. It caught me a bit off guard. Putting the comment back into context, however, there are a few problems with the logic of this suggestion, and not just that he, Bush, was the creator of the “eat [...]
Vanity Fair Covers…Monsanto?
April 29, 2008 By
For people who don’t regularly read Vanity Fair, one might think it’s not much more than a fashion magazine, but VF is known not only for high-fashion photo spreads, but for in-depth exposés as well. This month, Vanity Fair is taking on agribusiness giant Monsanto in Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele’s article “Monsanto’s [...]
Corn Aliases: How The King Crop Hides In Everything You Eat
April 29, 2008 By
First, I want to apologize for my absence – I’ve been dealing with a family issue away from home and haven’t had the time or mental energy to post. I am happy to be back and gratefully anticipate your forgiveness (please?). I spent last week following the Ashkenazi diet for the eight day celebration of [...]
Farmers Market Fare 3
April 28, 2008 By
For the first trip this spring, my local market has finally got some vegetables! It was a cold start to the season, still is with a frost due tonight, but oh, the purple asparagus arrived, and the spring lettuces and spinach. Finally. I was also contemplating urban sprawl, more suburban sprawl today. The suburban city [...]
Lovin’ Fresh: Carrot Cake
April 28, 2008 By
