A Heavy Toll
In agriculture, we’re all used to worrying about weather—not enough moisture, too much moisture, moisture at the wrong times. We’re used to worrying about markets, equipment, labor and inputs. We’re used to worrying about so many things except our own health and wellbeing. The Canadian Mental Health Association recently reported that more than half of farmers would meet the diagnosis criteria for anxiety, and a third would meet the threshold for depression. These statistics are something to worry about, particularly…
Factory To Farm
In early 2022, the Biden Administration introduced a comprehensive plan to address monopolization in the meat industry. I read the announcement with enthusiasm. Corporate concentration in the meat industry has been a problem for decades. Just four meat processing companies control 82% of the market for beef, pork, and poultry. Concentration of market power of that magnitude leads to collusion (such as price and wage fixing), discourages competition and innovation, and is well documented as bad news for both farmers…
Earth Day 2022: 22 Ways to Take Action!
Earth Day is a day to celebrate our planet, reflect on the importance of our choices, and take action to change the world for the better. While it may be just one day on the calendar, the actions we take today can make a difference in our communities, far into the future! One way you can make a difference right now is to purchase sustainable products from AGW-certified producers who work day in and day out to bring the very…
Global First as UK Farm Receives Regenerative Certification by A Greener World
A Greener World (AGW) has announced Challacombe Farm in Devon, UK, as the world’s first farm to be Certified Regenerative by AGW. This innovative certification provides a whole-farm assurance of sustainability, measuring benefits for soil, water, air, biodiversity, infrastructure, animal welfare and social responsibility. As public interest in sustainability continues to increase and broaden in scope, the demand for rigorous, meaningful assurances of responsible farming practices has grown. Building on its successful family of leading labels, AGW’s Certified Regenerative program…
The Incredible Pasture Raised Egg
Laying hens love to run, dust bathe, peck, scratch and flap their wings. Those are their instinctive behaviors—part of what it means to act like a chicken. When raised in pasture-based systems outdoors on rolling hills, pastures, forests, fields and range, they get to do these things regularly as they roam about and forage their natural and varied diet of grubs, seeds, insects, and green plants. This type of management can provide the highest welfare, making for happy hens living…
