Sure, I may find myself basking in produce aisle fluorescence, scrolling through TeenAngster's Pinterest recipes with one hand, and feeling for ripeness with the other, but the union of social media networking and farm-to-table philosophy didn't really reveal itself to me until I heard rancher Jeff Fowle quip at SxSW, "If you find yourself sitting on the tractor thinking about SEO, you're an AgNerd." Jeff is part of a growing movement of farmers utilizing Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to connect with their community and share their stories.
With increased public interest in where our food comes from, it's no surprise that Jeff and his contemporaries would like to tell their side of the story. The AgChat Foundation, an off-shoot of a weekly Twitter conversation, brings together farmers big and small, organic and traditional, Republican and Democrat, all directly participating in the national food dialogue. Through tweets about crop availability, blog posts detailing daily obstacles, and videos highlighting family chores, farmers are showing us that agriculture 2.0 is just as much about the humanity behind your meal, as it is about GPS on tractors.
For a glimpse of what the corner office looks like when it's out behind the hay bales, follow Jeff on Twitter, and link to your favorite farmer blogs in the comments below!
As a red-blooded American, I eat my steaks rare and my pulled pork sloppy. However, as an Iowan and an animal rights advocate, my interest was piqued by recent proposed legislation that would protect industrial farmers from video or photo documentation of their operations. What does this mean for the casual carnivore? As New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman explains, "Undercover videos from the Humane Society of the United States tell a repulsive [story]. It also explains why we saw laws proposed by friends of agribusiness in both Iowa and Florida in recent weeks that would ban making such videos: the truth hurts, especially if you support the status quo."
Yes, any animal rights activist caught on private property is guilty of trespassing, even if the intent is to expose the confined spaces, dirty living conditions and mistreatment of livestock headed for slaughter. The question is more so why lawmakers feel the need to sweep large-scale agribusiness's alleged mistreatment under the rug. Are inhumane conditions justifiable if the animals are destined to be eaten? Is the demand for mass-manufactured meat so high that we're willing to ignore horrifying conditions? And why is a common pet allowed more rights than the livestock we consume? As a consumer, I can't help but wonder why the public is denied access to the origin of its dinner.
As for what the farmers in question have to hide, Bittman poignantly states, "People shouldn’t have to sneak the cameras into the farms that are torturing animals or mistreating workers: the cameras should already be there." Even as eating organic, local and ethically-sourced meat and produce has become ubiquitous to the point of cliché, it seems that lawmakers are swiftly moving in a more conservative direction. Transparency and respectful, humane operations shouldn't be a radical idea.
Read more from Bittman in his original post, Some Animals Are More Equal and Others, and his follow-up on farm animal protection at TheNew York Times.
My response, which was much nicer than intended was this:
I understand and fully believe people need to know and have an awareness of where your food comes from, but when an article gives a one sided opinion, I feel a need to give another viewpoint From an agriculture and farmer's standpoint, I would like to first state that trespassing is trespassing, no matter the purpose. Would you want someone in your home or business video taping you and how you work, or someone sneaking onto and invading your home at all?
The humane society exposes the mistreatment of animals, yes. NOT ALL FARMERS MISTREAT THEIR ANIMALS!!!! I get so disgusted on how a video can be used and abused itself to show that a cow was mistreated. Information can at times be exaggerated and skewed. Not all are, I will agree.
The important point that we all need to be aware of is this, most farmers care for their animals. This is how they make their living, THIS IS HOW THEY HELP FEED THE WORLD! All of the farmers I know are some of the most hardworking and dedicated people that I have met. I really wish that people would have a better understanding and appreciation for agriculture, with out it, plain and simple, most of you wouldn't have much to eat or much clothing to wear. Some farmers do unethical things, but to bring some perspective to things, there are people in every industry who make mistakes too. I'm not saying that it makes it okay, but it seems that the agriculture industry is attacked more often.
Another point I want to raise is that over 95% of farms in America are family owned and operated. They are not a factory full of mistreated animals. They are simply a family owned business run by people who are trying to make a living for themselves and their families by producing food and goods necessary for every human to live.
I encourage everyone to be aware of the agriculture industry and the way production really works. There is a high demand for food right? The population is growing rapidly, correct? So, there will always be a farmer, working hard to feed you. Sometimes, a farmer may slip or make a bad decision, but we are ALL human.
Thank a farmer for helping to feed you and keep you warm today, don't attack them.
Apparently, I'm failing my blog. This is obvious, and made more so by my mother. She's not allowed to have faceboook (unanimous daughter decision) so Mom, I hope this helps you get your fix.
Life, we'll its busy. I have to think back over this past month or more and think of what I have accomplished (or not accomplished).
First thing that comes to mind is that Steven's nieces, Niah and Kamara, turned one! This year has gone by so fast and they are absolutely beautiful! They seemed to have a lot of fun at their party. Steven and I bought them a Cozy Coupe, and their Grand-parents (Honey's mom and dad) bought them a second one so they were happy to have two. They love them and play in them everyday I'm told. They got boas and birthday hats, which they pulled off within 3.5 seconds.
I actually made the girls' cakes. It was terrifying. They were giant cupcakes, and well, I hope to never have to make giant cupcakes again. The first didn't turn out b/c the cake refused to come out in one piece, so I really made 3 cakes. Steve and Judd didn't mind b/c they ate the mess-up. It tastes the same even though it wasn't very pretty.
On the way to the house, my fears came true in one way or another. We hit a few bumps, frosting fell off of both cakes. FAIL!!! I'm assuming I just added too much water to the icing, but it didn't quite want to stick to the sides of the cake. It was just a small spot on both sides, but still. I wanted to cry. I actually refused to go in the house at first b/c I was so mad. It took me 5 or more hours to make those tiny cakes, and they were tainted by a bump in the road, literally and figuratively.
So, they didn't quite know what to do with the cake at first. These two beautiful little girls are the cleanest eaters I have ever seen. Ever. This was photo was towards the end of the cake eating expedition. Do you see frosting on their forehead or in their hair? No. It was almost disappointing that they didn't get messy. :)
